‘In this industry you have to be strong’

Talktime shamita shetty

She shot to fame as a spoilt, snooty student in Mohabbatein that bagged her IIFA award for star debut of the year. She left everyone awestruck with her dancing skills in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded. Shetty talks to  Sangeeta Yadav about getting a new lease of life at work with her web series

After debuting on web series Yo Ke Hua Bro, are you planning to give your career a digital expansion?

The web series opened doors for interesting projects but I haven't zeroed in on anything more as yet. Yes, the web has given me a new lease of life as I got a chance to face the camera after so many years. It was like those days when I debut with Mohabbatein— a start from the scratch. Not that I had forgotten acting, but to unlearn and relearn was a good experience. It has given a great opportunity to actors like me who have not been reached out for quality work.

It is the best time for actors and filmmakers to make the best use of the creative freedom that web series gives. There is no censorship here. Not everyone has the time to go to the theatre but through the web platform, entertainment is reaching out to them through the mediums of phone, tab and laptop. A part of us is living in digital age today especially the youth.

But you have completely disappeared from Bollywood...

It has been 10 years now. That is because nobody is offering me good projects. I prefer to do quality work. I am active and working. But this approach backfired as people thought that I was not interested in doing work. A lot of people thought that I had left the industry because I was not seen on screens for so long. But now actors don’t need Bollywood as we have video-on-demand platforms which are giving equal opportunities to the actors and directors to create quality content in web series format. It is open and fair to all the talent out there.

You claimed to fame with your debut movie Mohabbatein. How was it like to work with so many actors back then?

I was lucky to debut in a Yash Chopra film and get the great learning experience to work with Aditya Chopra. I remember the first photoshoot that I did with Uday for this movie. I didn't even know how to pose. People behind the camera and Uday were telling me how to pose. I got to know what the right or wrong angle are. I was so raw and real. That is something which will never come back but I will cherish it all my life.

What was the turning point in your life?

When I did Mohit Suri's Zeher in 2005. I got a chance to interact with Mahesh Bhatt who would see my performance and guide me. I remember he told me once that I am not performing from my heart and I am mistaking it. I actually grew as an actor throughout the process of shooting Zeher and realised that there is so much I could do. It was amazing to work with people like that who try to bring out the best in you. I wanted to do more quality work after Zeher but since nothing interesting was coming my way, I barely did anything after that.

There were some movies that didn’t do well at the Box Office…

I have seen ups and downs. I had started my journey with the best and for a creative person, to not be able to express their creativity through films and saying no to work when there is nothing else that you have, was difficult for me. But I consciously made that decision because I didn't want to be unhappy doing something which is not worth it and you end up wasting your time and energy. There were times when I felt very weak but my family's love and support gave me a lot of strength. The industry changes you and I’m a different person from when I joined it.

What message do you have for the struggling actors?

I see so many youngsters get influenced by the glamorous world and want to be a part of it. They seek name, fame and money. But they should know that they have to be very strong to be a part of this industry because when you get success, it is great but when you get failure, there is a lot that you have to face. You start questioning yourself. In such a situation, it is important to find your strength to come out of it.

You recently turned 39... What’s in the bucket list?

I don't make a list or plan my upcoming years. I just want to be happy in whatever I do in my life. I feel we lead a privileged life and it is important to give back to the society. I do it through supporting charity events and feel very happy about it.