Congratulations on your new project Exotic Marigold!

Thank you! I’m on cloud nine. It’s my big film and it has a brilliant story and cast. This is beyond what I have dreamed of so I’m just completely enjoying the moment, whilst prepping for the premier. It’s all fun times!

Did you always dream of becoming an actress?

I always wanted to be an actor and I had two ways of entering the film industry (if you don’t have connections). One was through the Miss India contest and the other was through advertisement. For some reason I thought ad’s made more sense because it would give me that exposure to smaller scenes. Also I learnt my camera angles and lighting, so I thought I would be more prepared for the film industry if I started this way.

How did the role come about?

The casting director is someone I’ve known through my advert days, so she had called me in for an audition. I went in for it not knowing anything about the project as they were not saying anything at the time. I knew that the scenes were funny but I didn’t know anything about the set up. So I went for my test and that’s when I looked around and saw the pictures of Dev Patel and thought ‘wow your kidding me’! So I completely went crazy when I found that out.
With the director and the cast being what it was, I was just hoping and praying that I would get the film. Anyone would love to be a part of it. After the first few days I had a call back to run through a few scenes. A few weeks after that I got another call back where I had to go through all my scenes, which was a little scary. Then finally I was confirmed for the part. It was well worth it and I happily went along with all of it. I would have gone along with any of it because I really wanted to be a part of the film.

What do you think they liked about you?


I have no idea. I was just happy enough that I got this. They did mention that they like my simplicity. I still don’t know till this day who I was competing against.

When you were told you had the part how did you feel?
I was at home when I found out I had the part. In the run up to finding out I couldn’t concentrate on any conversation, if I watched a movie I wasn’t paying attention, my mind was completely going mad. When I got the call I completely forgot where I was, what I was doing and I ran around the house like a mad chicken. I was shouting ‘ I got the part, I got the part, I got the part’. 



Were you super excited when you heard you were acting alongside Dev Patel?
I didn’t really know what to expect, I was anxious before I met him. Then he walked in so calmly and said that he had heard about me, he knew about my work and what I had done. He just started so warmly that you don’t feel awkward or a bit conscious after that. He’s really very easy to get along with so I didn’t ever have to worry. If there were ever any difficult scenes to do with him we would discuss it ahead of time. He’s really very relaxed and he made everything seem like it wasn’t a big deal at all which helped to keep calm. He’s a great co-actor.

How does it feel romancing him on screen?
I was very worried about that. Until the day of the shoot I thought that I would be fine. Then the day came and I was freaking out so badly, I didn’t know what to do.  He had an incredibly calming affect and completely made me forget the scene that I was coming up. We were just laughing, talking and by the end of it I was like ‘who cares what we’re shooting, I’m in a great mood’. When I went to shoot, I was fine.

How did you find filming in India with British actors?
I think they are very polite. My goodness, the way I was greeted in the morning and the conversations you have, everything was a compliment. I was really nervous before I met them. I questioned what I was going to say. When you’re nervous you tend to babble so I didn’t want to be stupid in front of them. I told my self to stay calm and talk. They are so relaxed and not intimidating at all, you’re not nervous when you are in front of them. Credit to them really for being so easy to talk to.


What did you love about your character the most?
I play a modern Indian girl. She is someone who goes out to work and is completely independent. She thinks for herself and doesn’t work alongside tradition. At the same time is respectful towards people who are different from me. So I play a modern Indian girl who can think for her self but is still understanding of other kind of people. Pretty much how a lot of young girls are in Indian right now. We are becoming more independent but we’re still holding onto our culture.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is out on the 24th February 2012

COMPETITION

WIN: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Goody Bags and Signed Film Poster by Dev Patel and other Stars!
To celebrate the release of the new Twentieth Century Fox film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, we have a fabulous goody bag to give-away featuring great gifts and a special signed poster, which has been personally autographed by Dev Patel, Tena Desae and British stars Celia Imrie and Tom Wilkinson.
 

From the director of Shakespeare in Love, John Madden, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel promises a heady mix of comedy and emotion, showing India at its beautiful best. The film features Bollywood’s latest crush and top model Tena Desae romancing Slumdog Millionaire star and BAFTA nominee Dev Patel in a feel-good comedy boasting the cream of British talent. They are joined by veteran Indian actress Lillete Dubey (Monsoon Wedding, Housefull, Kal Ho Naa Ho), who plays the mother of Dev Patel’s character Sonny.

For a disparate group of English pensioners (Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie and Ronald Pickup), retirement takes an unconventional turn when they abandon their homeland, enticed by advertisements for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a seemingly luxurious sanctuary for “the elderly and beautiful” in Jaipur, India. On arrival, they discover that the hotel falls somewhat short of the romantic idyll promised in the brochure, but they are gradually won over by the ever-optimistic young entrepreneurial manager Sonny (Dev Patel), and tentatively embark on a new adventure, finding that life can begin again when you let go of the past.
                       
                               For your chance to win, simply answer the following question and send your replies to: competitions@asianamag.com
Q. Who has directed The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?

                                      ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ is released through Twentieth Century Fox on 24th February 2012