There was a lot of pressure on me when I signed ‘Dilwale,’ and though it did not do as well in India, overseas the business was crazy despite competition from another film.
If you don’t come from film family, it takes time for people to register you. When you don’t come from film family, the connection with the audience takes time to build up; it happens eventually.
I am an engineer by profession, but I knew I wanted to act. My parents always encouraged me, and when my father shifted to Mumbai for work for a brief while, I came along.
I think if you’re talented and not desperate to do any film that comes your way, and are doing justice to all your roles, then you’re fine, because you can’t predict the rest. You also can’t predict the audience’s reaction.
I feel that modelling has groomed my personality and made me a confident person, but even today, when I go on the ramp, I get nervous. I am more comfortable being in front of the camera than walking on the ramp.
After graduating, I began auditioning for films while continuing to model. I did a few fashion shows, ad shoots, and even got a few Bollywood offers, but nothing great.
