New York based actor cum advertising professional, Poorna Jagannathan has thoroughly enjoyed her stint in Bollywood
New York based actor cum advertising professional, Poorna Jagannathan has thoroughly enjoyed her stint in Bollywood. A comparatively late bloomer in B-town, this mother of a five-year-old talks to CS about her passion for acting and her Delhi Belly experience:
Better late than never
I started my acting career very late. Though I was always an amateur artist in school and college, I didn't know how to make it my career. So for survival, I took on advertising. I got the best job, but there was something missing. I initially enjoyed what I was doing, but over time I realised that there was this vacant expression on my face that refused to go. That's when I decided to go back to college and get an acting degree for myself. The leap wasn't easy but I am happy I made it.
Belly dance
Delhi Belly happened by chance. I happened to be in India for a wedding when I bumped into a friend who was doing costumes for the film. He knew me and my work as an actor in LA and said I would fit the role of Menaka in the film. I auditioned and got the role. The shoot was pretty long and since I am not based here, I found it difficult to shuttle between the two cities. My idea of Bollywood till now had been late shoots, ineffective deadlines and starry tantrums. I was pleasantly surprised to find everything on schedule.
Star struck
Shooting in Delhi and Mumbai was fun. While I didn't know much about either of the cities, acquainting myself with them was a great experience. And I had no idea that Indians would be so crazy about their actors. Once we were shooting a night scene in Delhi when I was amazed to see a never-ending sea of people lining up to watch us, especially Imran. In that huge crowd I spotted a woman holding probably a three-month-old in one hand and a two- year-old toddler in the other. I had no idea the fans here loved their actors so
passionately.
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