ishita dutta Known for her role in Drishyam as Anju Salgaonkar, Dutta talks to Musba Hashmi about how she got her first break in Bollywood, her love for TV, her two upcoming projects and what makes her happy

• How did you get your first Bollywood break?

I had done few shows on TV before. One day, I got a call from Vicky Sidana (casting director of Drishyam) that if I would like to go and audition for Anju Salgaonkar’s role. Although the shooting had started but the casting of this character was left. I thought that it is a big project and I should at least try for it. I never thought that I would be able to fit the bill because the character is young. I gave auditions and the next day I was on the sets, shooting. It all happened in just a matter of 24 hours. I am glad that I was a part of the film.

• How positive are you for your upcoming films Setters and Blank?

I am looking forward to them. The plus point for both the films is that the storyline is strong. Time has come when people like to see films which have a great story and concept in it. Audience have changed a lot and they want to see some powerful stories.

Blank stars Sunny Deol and people will get to see him in a different avtaar. He will definitely do action in the film but with a twist. We have recently launched a song Warning Nahi Dunga and we are receiving lots of positive response for it. If I talk about Setters, it is about an education mafia. The film shows how an entire scam happen and how it is a big business. We have some brilliant actors in the film like Aftab Shivdasani, Shreyas Talpade, Sonnalli Seygall and others. I am positive that people will like both the films.

• What kind of roles attract you?

Anything which is different and unique, attracts me. I have just started my career in films and I haven’t done much. I want to work more and explore different things. Yes, I have been a little choosy and have not taken up everything that came my way. I want to be associated with good projects, whether it works well or not, is not in my hand. I need to have the feeling that yes this is the project that I want to do. I also want to play negative roles. I want to be a part of content driven films too.

• What keeps you grounded?

My family and fans keep me grounded. Every time when Drishyam airs on TV and when October 2 comes, I receive a lot of positive messages from people. It makes me very happy.

• Once you work in films, how hard is it to get back to TV?

A lot of people ask me that now you are doing films so whether you will get back to TV or not. I have love for both — TV and films. I started my acting journey from TV and I have learnt a lot. If I get some good scripts and get a chance to work on TV again and if I feel that I will enjoy doing it, I will be more than happy to do it. I don’t see TV as a different medium, for me it is just acting, no matter what the medium be.

• How did acting happen?

I was a confused child. From a teacher to a tennis player, I have thought of all the possible professions that I can be in, but never an actor. While I was in college I came to Mumbai to spend the summer vacations with my sister.

It was during that time when she asked me to do something and keep myself busy. I started working as an assistant on the sets and that was the time when I realised thatI wanted to be an actor. Initially, I was scared of stepping into this field but I thought to give it a try. Then, I enrolled myself for an acting course and the journey started.