I am open to act in TV serials as well as web series : ISHITA CHAVAN

The bubbly and chirpy Ishita Chavan makes her transition from being a child artiste in films like Aap Ka Suroor and Hijack to Anil Sharma’s latest film Genius as a leading lady. Anil Sharma had earlier given a break to actresses like Ameesha Patel, Priyanka Chopra, Zarine Khan etc.

By Jyothi Venkatesh

How tough was it for you to get a break from a director like him?

It was not at all easy for me. Anil Sir called me to his office for audition. I went for my audition and also did a lot of screen tests and it was only after I waited for three months that I was told that out of 3000 and odd aspirants, I was zeroed in for the coveted role that I play in his film Genius.

How did you feel when you were told that you had been finalised as the leading lady of Genius?

I was happy since not only is Genius a big film with a wide canvass, but it is also helmed by a legendary director like Anil Sharmaji, who is giving a break to his own son Utkarsh with the film and hence will not cut any corner while making then film or spare expenses

Genius is not exactly your first film as an actress?

Though Genius is my debut film as a leading lady, I have acted in two films earlier but as a child star. They are Hijack with Shiney Ahuja as my father and Aap Ka Suroor which was Himesh Reshammiya ‘s debut vehicle as an actor. 

Why didn’t you continue to work in films as a child artiste?

Since I was a tiny tot of just four, I have been acting in not only films but also ad films. I was also doing ads besides doing my schooling though right now, I am pursuing my B.A by distance learning and intend to be graduate, even if I am busy with my films as an actress after Genius is released.

What is your role in Genius?

I play the role of a young college girl called Nandini in the film. Nandini is a city college going girl. The role has two different shades to it. While on the one hand, I am playing a chirpy and bubbly girl, on the other hand, I play a mature version, who does not let anything come between her and her goal.

How did you prepare for your part in Genius?

First of all, I made it a point to watch Anilji’s films like Veer and Apne to know his vision as a director in those films. I was also subjected to a three months workshop in his office.  I made it5 a point to sit down with writer Sunil to discuss the pros and cons of the script. Anil Sir also asked me to  work on the back story of the film and write as many as twenty pages, which reminded me of my school days when my teacher used to ask me to do my home work. It also helped me to fit into my character effortlessly

How was the experience of working with Anil Sharma?

It was a great experience to work with a director like him, who is very dedicated to his job and is a perfectionist who is very focussed as well as strict on the sets, though he treated me like his daughter off the sets. On the sets, he did not treat Utkarsh too as his son but just like another actor.

You have acted as a child artiste earlier and have are making your debut as a leading lady. In what way do you find acting as a leading lady different from being a child artiste?

I think that it is far more difficult to act as a leading lady as you are required to project your intrinsic character in a film unlike a child artiste when you are allowed to get away with even blue murder. I should say that I enjoyed learning a lot of the craft that is acting by working with seasoned performers like Mithun Chraraborty Sir, Nawazuddin Siddiqui Sir and Ayesha Madam

What kind of roles do you want to do as an adult leading lady?

I like to do off beat films, which are rich in content. I feel that in today’s age and times, it does not pay you to be flippant as an actor and what matters is the story and language too is not at all barrier. Films, I feel have changed over the different generations and now they are setting out to cater more to the youth as the youth form a larger quotient of cine-goers today in multiplexes. I am keen on being a part of films in South too, especially Telugu films

Tell me one good reason why a film lover should set out to see Genius?

Genius is a film which you should set out to see because not only is it a film which has been made by a veteran and legendary filmmaker like Anil Sharma but also because it is a proper Bollywood genre film which has a lot of masala, suspense and romance. It is also a very modern film with a lot of science and technology thrown into it

Who are your favourite actors and actresses today?

My favourite actors today are Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.

Have you signed of any new film after Genius? Are you open for TV serials or web series after working in films as a child artiste as well as a leading lady?

Right now, I am concentrating and all my focus is only in Genius but at the same time I am quite open to other offers including offers from television because all said and done, today TV has a wider reach and let’s face facts, no medium today is small or big, whether it is the film, TV or for that matter the web series. Even big actors like Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vivek Oberoi etc are now also acting in web series. Isn’t it?

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Tags: Bollywood, Bollywood News, Bollywood Updates, Television, Telly News, Ishita Chavan, Anil Sharma, Interview, Genius