Dipti Sherchan

Kathmandu, January 8

Tell us something about your family? Did you ever tell your family that you wanted to be an actress?

My family has a classical music background. My grandmother was a very famous classical singer. They liked black and white movies. While watching the movies I always knew I wanted to be an actress. I never told anyone, I never told them because of the fear of being ridiculed, the fear of them saying ‘no’, which they would have. I just casually once mentioned it when I was 15 and my mother laughed and said, “No. You cannot get into films.” After that I never mentioned it to anyone.

I am a modern person. I don’t mind taking risks. I know that if I want to learn swimming, I have to jump into the pool. I can’t learn swimming in the air. That’s the kind of person I have always been in my life and it has not changed yet.

You and your mother left home after your family disapproval to your entering the movies?

That was four years after that. When I was 19, I finally got into modelling and I was representing India in Miss World University in Korea. My uncle who is a very renowned tabla player said that he was not going to let me into modelling. And I said, “You know I am above 18. You can’t really tell me what to do.” I am a Sagittarian and I am a very independent woman. I don’t like people telling me what to do. We got into a fight and he said, “You have to leave my house.” It was not his house. It was my grandmother’s. So we had another fight over that. Finally, I said, “I will leave the house. I will pursue my dream because that is what I believe in.” And I left my house and my mother came with me though she had laughed at it some years back. She knew I am exactly like her. She is also quite a rebel. She thought being an actress was just a hobby till seven films were released and finally she knew it was my profession too.

What was the life after that? When you left home you had only Rs 250 in your pocket…

Well, challenges were such that we didn’t have a house to stay in. I only had Rs 250 and my mom said she had some savings. So within the next three four days we rented a place in a local complex. Then we faced the pressures of having food on the table. I believe in the Hindu saying that you have to burn your bridges behind you. That way you don’t have anywhere to go but ahead. I guess we did that and I just threw myself into modelling. I worked everyday.

How did your first movie Yes Boss happen?

I went to ‘Venus’ for a music video audition. They were casting for Yes Boss at that time. They wanted someone tall to be opposite of Aditya Pancholi. Somehow someone said that “the girl who has come for the audition is right and she has got good screen presence.” They called me. Luckily they had to start shooting the next day so they had to select someone really fast. They looked at me and said I would work.

How was it working with Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Aditya Pancholi, Johnny Lever?

I had always seen them on big screens. I was one of their fans. They were very supportive. They had no idea it was my first film. They were really good people to work with. Nobody troubled me. It was a good experience.

What do you prefer, working in films, modelling or item numbers?

I think everything is a part of film whether you are doing negative roles or action or dance. Film is a complete entertainment package. I think an actress should be able to do anything and everything very well. That makes a full actress.

Favourite movie till date?

I enjoyed shooting for my first film Yes Boss. I really enjoyed shooting for Jungle because that was my first movie with no make-up, no hairstyle and being very raw and a very challenging role. These two are my favourite movies in which I have acted. There are couple of films as well but they are not released yet.

Are you satisfied with your performance?

Of course not! If you are satisfied than that is the end of career.

Whom would you like to work with and why?

Govinda, because he is such a good performer. He is so good. And of course, senior AB (Amitabh Bachchan).

Your current projects?

A leading role in Zaroorat. I cannot reveal anything on the movie. Tauba Tauba where I play a seductive young tutor who comes to teach a young 17-year-old student. There is another beautiful film Revati. It is my pet project today. It’s about a rag picker and how she stands up for her morals, her vision and does not compromise anything to get ahead in life. It is my best film till date. Then there is another Ishq Qyamat where I play a blackmailer.