SPECIAL INTERVIEW: “I would not at all hesitate to call Neetu Singh Ma’m the expression queen” says KIARA ADVANI

In this exclusive interview for Mayapuri and bollyy.com KIARA ADVANI tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that every role comes with its own individual challenges for an actor.

Has the success of your film Bhool Bhulaiaya 2 grossing over 200 crores yet sunk in you?

As everyone around me, wherever I go, keeps on complimenting me for the success film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, the feeling has also sunk in me that the film has completed four weeks.

I am happy that two and a half years of our hard work has not gone unnoticed. It feels very good that the film has lived up to the cult original film and is not being compared to it.

The film has given the film industry a bg hoe that films can have repeat value if they are good and relatable. The country is in need of good entertainment today after having endured the pandemic earlier.

In what way is your role different in Jug Jugg Jeeyo?

Both Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Jug Jugg Jeeyo belong to two different genres though they are good and clean family entertainers.

In my whole career, I am glad I have played roles which are different from one another in various films of mine. But the role of Laila that I play in Jug Jugg Jeeyo is the most similar to how I think in real life

Can you elucidate?

Just because Laila is married, she feels that it is not necessary for her husband to be a provider for her family, because she feels that she and her husband can both balance their house together.

Though society has placed the rule that the Man has got to be the provider, why should a woman not take up her choice of career when she is well qualified?

Both the husband and the wife, she feels, have to give their 100 percent to their relationship, as it requires efforts from both the husband and the wife to run their home.

Okay. How would you describe Jug Jugg Jeeyo as a film?

I’d say that Jug Jugg Jeeyo is a film which has not only comedy and drama but also action and romance. There is definitely gravitas in the film

How well did you, Neetu Singh, Varun and Anil Kapoor bond together on the sets of the film?

All of us felt like a big family when we were shooting for the film Jug Jugg Jeeyo, right from the day we had started the shooting of the film.

The ease which all of us shared did not look ‘forced’. The chemistry that all four of us shared is so beautiful on the screen. Neetuji has a maternal instinct in her. Take it from me; there are some scenes in the film, with Neetu Mam which are so moving that they will choke you.

Go on!

The beauty of Neetu Ma’m is that she is so grounded and maternal and warm with a friendly banter that everyone around us was in high spirits in her company. Neetu Ma’m elevates her character with her screen presence. I would not at all hesitate to call her the expression queen.

What about the evergreen Anil Kapoor?

The best thing about Anil Sir is that he does not age at all. He is such a legend but truly the coolest young actor today.

Anil Sir would not take anything lightly as he wants to be the best and is very enthusiastic about every scene though he is a senior actor.

It is inspiring. If I too am lucky enough to last as long as he has in my career, I too would like to continue to keep the kind of drive that he has.

How was it working with Varun Dhawan and Maniesh Paul?

Varun plays my husband. I go back a long way together working with Varun, who I’d say is one of the purest souls I have met till now. Varun brings a lot of energy to each and every scene in any film. It was fun working with Manish, who plays my husband’s best friend.

How did you prepare for your part in the film?

Jug Jugg Jeeyo is a very sensitive film on the subject of divorce. To get our layers right, Varun and I were required to attend a lot of workshops with our director Raj Mehta before we started shooting for the film.

Yes. Probably, Varun and I have played the most challenging parts till date in the film Jug Jugg Jeeyo as the relationship between Kuku played by Varun and Laila played by me translates into the screen very beautifully

How has your professional as well as personal relationship with Karan Johar progressed over the years as far as you are concerned?

As an actress, it is my eighth year of working in films. I would be failing in my duty if I do not state that Karan Johar believed in me even before I was a hit actor commercially speaking.

It was Karan who put on faith in my potential and gave me roles in films like Guilty, Shershah, Good Newzz and Jug Jugg Jeeyo now.

If I remember right, it was only Kalank that let you as well as Karan Johar down at the box office!

Yes. But please remember that mine was just a special appearance in the film Kalank. I did it only because Varun Dhawan had requested me to do the role as a special appearance.

What do you think when you look back at your career as an actress till date?

Every role comes with its own individual challenges. I want to be versatile, as an actor. I feel frankly that I have been very lucky that God has given me an opportunity and put me in a position where I am able to entertain people.

In fact, my mom always tells me never to say No to any fan who asks me to pose for a selfie with him or her, because all said and done, if I am an actor today in the film industry, it is only thanks to my fans, who have made me whatever I am today.

Are you part of any OTT project today?

Though right now, I am not working on any OTT project, I am keeping my fingers crossed and would say that I am open and ready if I get any offer to be a part of any OTT project.