Aditi Rao Hydari: I will never compromise...

Only three films old and the waif-life young Bollywood hopeful, Aditi Rao Hydari, is already a veteran at bearing the brunt of the media in her short stint in the world of glitz and glamour.

In Dubai earlier this week for the world premiere of her new film, “London Paris New York”, along with co-star Ali Zafar, the half Konkani and half Hyderabadi Muslim actress threw caution to the wind when chatting with Emirates 24|7 in a no holds barred chat. 

Here are excerpts: 

Has Bollywood been kind to you in your rise from a small character role in “Delhi 6” to playing the lead in “London Paris New York”?

Hydari: I always say I have been lucky to make it so easily in Bollywood, an industry where many have tried and failed. Do you realise, in a country of one billion people, there must be at least 10 million hopefuls desperate to make it big in the film industry. The fact that I was able to get that opportunity so easily is a blessing. 

You hear horror stories from newcomers talking about the casting couch in Bollywood. What is your take on this?

I have heard about this too. But why just zero in on the film industry? I think in every line of work there are bad apples with their own versions of the casting couch. Yes, it is more prominent in Bollywood but only because it involves famous names and personalities. 

And you are a famous face today…?

­Who am I to judge what prompts people to take that step? It could be desperate circumstances that drive some to succumb to such coercion to nab a role, while in others it could be a burning ambition, this need to make them do what they do. 

Having said that, I can only speak for myself here and say that I know I could never compromise on my principles to get a part in a film, no matter how desperately I wanted it. 

I would rather do two films a year than work in five and not be able to meet my eyes in the mirror. 

Being famous also comes with notoriety, and you had your share when you performed such bold scenes in Sudhir Mishra’s “Ye Saali Zindagi” last year. Are you open to on-screen intimacy?

I am open to performing roles that I am comfortable with. The film in question won me my first award as Best Supporting Actress and surely that is proof that what I did on screen went beyond kissing and being intimate with someone. 

Plus, I respect Sudhir Mishra as a director and I knew that when he filmed those scenes, they would be done aesthetically and not like something cheap for a D-Grade film. 

However, such bold roles also come with their share of bad press. How do you handle that attention?

I remember the press had a field day going on and on about my number of on-screen smooches with Arunodhay Singh for “Ye Saali Zindagi”, but let me ask you this, if you are trying to capture an intense love affair between a newly married couple, you won’t show them playing badminton now would you? 

I remember the headlines talking about my lack of inhibitions and comparing me to Mallika Sherwat in terms of bold behaviour. 

I just brushed it all off after a while. 

How did your family react to all of this?

You know, I live in my own world half the time and everyone who knows me laughs how detached I am to reality sometimes. 

However, one day, I was sitting at the table with my mom and she made a comment about one such story. It immediately struck me that all this bad press might affect my family. 

But my mother was quick to point out, as long as you are true to yourself, why allow others lamenting bother you? 

What other films do you have in you kitty for now?

I would be lying if I say I am not in discussion with some filmmakers, but unless I sign the dotted line, I cannot confirm any projects.

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