EXCLUSIVE: “I had heartbreak and it was a very difficult phase!” says ‘Amita Ka Amit’ fame Chandni Bhagwanani

Starting to act at the age of six, Chandni Bhagwanani have juggled studies and acting with ‘crazy’ easiness. With shows like ‘Amita Ka Amit’, ‘Jhalli Anjali Ke Tootey Dil Ki Amazing Story’ and the recent show ‘P.S. I Hate You’ in kitty, Chandni is a happy graduate now. The bubbly actor tells us the necessity of using technology wisely, how she dealt with heartbreak and much more in a recent interaction with Pinkvilla.com. Read on:

You started acting very young. Why did you choose acting?

When in school, I had friend who used to do lots of ads. He mother was very fond of me. She convinced my mother. My mom was reluctant at first, but my friend’s mother told her to just give it shot. At first I was taken to auditions and slowly, slowly I started getting many ads and shows. At that time my mother thought showing face in commercial will be like an extra-curricular activities and even I took it as a hobby. But I turned my hobby into profession as of now.

Tell us bit about your educational background.

I happily graduated with Bachelors in Mass Media. I studied advertising and I am soon going to attend my convocation in Mumbai.

How do you cope up studies and acting?

I am used to it now. I have been juggling with studies and acting since my childhood. And it has been crazy. Running from shoot to take exams and then again come back to shoot. Sometimes I have gone 7 days without sleep when exams use to be round the corner. I used to finish shoot, study, write exams and then go back home to study or again come back to shoot. It is very important to finish studies. What if I don’t land up with any roles, what if my acting career takes me nowhere. I should have a backup. Now I am a proud graduate.

You've been part of a few youth based shows – ‘Jhalli Anjali’, ‘P.S. I Hate You’. Do you miss being a normal teenager?

I do miss leading the life of a normal teenager. In Delhi, people are not that crazy in running behind actors. But during ‘Amita Ka Amit’ days, people used to come to me. Once I had a broken chappal and didn't know what to do. If I was normal next-door-girl, I wouldn’t have cared, but because I am an actor it felt weird.

Things you wish you could do, but cannot due to your celeb status.

When I was in first year of my college, I wasn’t doing shows. I had gang and we all used make funny videos and upload them on YouTube. Now, I can’t even think of doing such things because I have public image to maintain. But those were fun days.

‘Jhalli Anjali’ dealt with heartbreak and love. Have you ever dealt with heartbreak? If yes, how?

Yes, I did go through heartbreak and I was literally broken. My parents knew about it and they helped me a lot to cope up with it. They always kept my mind busy with one or the other activities. It was very difficult. Nothing can replace that. But then I realised how important parents are and I started to believe myself first.

Many youngsters fall prey to misuse of technology. Your message for today’s tech-freak youth.

Wasting time on technology is a very stupid thing. Instead of wasting time on creating MMS and other scandals, one should invest that knowledge in something useful. Parents should be aware of their child’s every move. I have seen stories on ‘MTV Webbed’ and ‘Gumrah’ and such things do happen in reality. Youngsters should use their intelligence wisely.

What is Chandni’s normal day like?

I don’t have a free day (giggles). I am just kidding. Well, I have to catch a movie. I don’t care what movie, but I do get out to catch any latest film. Then I go out with my friends for lunch or dinner. No matter what I do, I make sure to spend 2-3 hours with my parents on my off day. My success is because of them.

If not an actor, which profession would have preferred?

I would definitely be in an Ad agency. I am also planning to get into direction and start as an Assistant director.

Short Takes:

Your inspiration in life:

My father

One thing you dread the most:

One day my acting career would be over. I can’t stop acting!

The best part about being an actor:

Adored and loved by so many people. I get blessings of so many people whom I don’t know, I have never met in life…it’s a great feeling.

Hobbies:

Dance. I have learnt dance with Shiamak Davar for 7-8 years.

Favourite Food:

Junk food. I love Paani-puri.