Exclusive: Mohit has created crackling chemistry between Sidharth and me, says Shraddha

Shradda Kapoor's success story could well be the tale of the underdog. Despite being from a filmy legacy, she made a low key debut, boldly walked out of a Yashraj three film contract, to sign up for 'Aashiqui 2'. The rest has been the stuff of dreams for this petite actress! Awaiting 'Ek Villain's release, Shraddha speaks to Pinkvilla on films, future and how life has changed after a monster hit.

So far, you seem to be choosing an interesting range of roles. What is your criteria for picking a script- is it the potential to perform in a film, the banner, director, or co-star, that determine your choices?

Right now, I am choosing films on the basis of the director. I like to work with directors who have a story to tell. Also I choose films that will portray me in different ways, and provide interesting characters for me to play. I think people want to see you in something new and fresh each time, so I keep that in mind.

Tell us about your character in ‘Ek Villain’. Is it crucial to the film? How have people reacted to the film’s trailers?

My character is very in your face, and talkative. She always wants to help people, make other people’s dreams come true. She is there in the film, and brings energy to everything around her. I would say that a grey shaded character as a protagonist after a long time, is working for the trailers of ‘Ek Villain’. What is interesting is, how Aisha and Guru fall in love, for they are exact opposites. She is so talkative, exuberant, while he is quiet and brooding. People are wondering as to how do they fall in love in the film! Thanks to Mohit Suri, he has created crackling chemistry between me and Sidharth in the film, and reactions to that are positive too.

Also this is the first time that each of us - me, Sidharth and Ritesh are playing such characters. Both Sid and Ritesh have shades of grey, and my character is so energetic. Added to that, it’s a thriller. People are wondering ‘why is she being thrown out of the window?’

How do you think ‘Ek Villain’ will impact your career graph?

The buzz around the film is tremendous. Reactions to the film’s trailer and music, so far, have been very positive.
I am actually quite nervous. Mohit and I are working together again, after ‘Aashiqui 2’ that did so well. Expectations weren’t high around that time. But this time around the expectations are really high from this film. I am just trying to calm myself down each day till it releases. There’s an interesting response there, for Aarohi in ‘Aashiqui 2’ was very subdued and shy. The whole mystery element has made people quite curious!

You began just a couple of years ago, and you’ve made a significant impact in films. How have things changed for you? And how does your family react to that?

I think the biggest change is that people on the road recognize me. All bhaji walas, vendors and shop keepers recognize me as ‘Aarohi’ from ‘Aashiqui 2’ and call me that. They don’t know my real name! I think that’s the biggest compliment. My parents have witnessed this change too. Otherwise, nothing has changed at home. My mom keeps yelling at me, that I should go out and buy new night suits. She says, ‘Now you earn decent money, please go shop for some new clothes’. I don’t though, I think the fabric of old night suits is the softest. I am happy that my parents feel very proud of me now. My dad is proud of me everyday when he sees my face. That is a wonderful feeling.

About your forthcoming film ‘ABCD 2’ , you’ve got to show off some tough dance moves for it. How are you preparing for it?

I’ll tell you, I have to go MAD for this film, completely! I have to gain muscle weight. (she flaunts her arm), it’s happening see? I need to increase my size, so that I look like a professional dancer, so that I look fit and right. I need to develop cuts over my body. So it’s been so much fun! Its been crazy too, I have been promoting ‘Ek Villain’ and whenever I find some time I am rushing off to Remo D Souza’s studio to rehearse and practice. Don’t go by my size, I have a large apetite and pretty much get away with eating anything. But now, with my trainer Praveen, who trains me in the gym, I cant eat most of my favorite foods. So the preparations for “ABCD 2’ have been life changing!

Tell me about ‘Haider’, it pits you along with some real seasoned performers.

There are only good performers in the film! Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bharadwaj is directing it. Its amazing to be working with them, I am a little newcomerish with them. It’s the Indian adaptation of ‘Hamlet’ and releases this October. I play Ophelia in it, and my character is that of a feisty Kashmiri journalist.

How do you view your career 3-4 down the line? How would you like to define your space as an actress?

Ummm…. I would say that I would want to be remembered for a few roles that stay on for eternity, roles that will be remembered forever.

Your personal life is under constant scrutiny, especially your link up with Aditya Roy Kapoor? How do you react to it? Will you ever talk about your personal life in the open?

I am used to it by now, link ups come up before a film’s release anyway. I can’t do anything about it. I used to get a little hyper initially, and my parents calmed me down, that it’s part and parcel of the job and happens to everyone. I simply don’t have the time for a relationship right now. If I were in a relationship, I would talk about it and acknowledge the other person’s presence in my life. When I am not seeing someone, there really is nothing to talk about!