'Chak De!'s success is a baggage for me'

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Her foray into Bollywood with Shimit Amin’s Chak De! India, made Sagarika Ghatge very popular as Preeti Sabarwal, who ultimately chooses her career over cricketer fiancé.

Despite having gotten a great break, Sagarika remained out of sight for four years until now when she will be seen in the lead in Shamim Desai’s movie Rush opposite Emraan Hashmi.

In a candid chat with Metrolife the actress shares the twists and turns since Chak De!. “I was only 20 years old when I did Chak De! India. At the time, I was in a dilemma whether to continue with Bollywood or not. In fact, I was not focused or aggressive about pushing my career. Plus, I was very immature.”

All these are validated by the choice Sagarika made in the last four years, which included duds like Fox with Arjun Rampal and Sunny Doel in 2009 and Miley Naa Miley Hum
in 2011.

Sagarika believes that “Chak De!’s success is a baggage” which she will have to bear for a long time. “Chak De! India was once in a lifetime opportunity. Today, it scares me to fulfil expectations of an audience who appreciated my work that time. If I keep the film’s success in mind, it really becomes difficult to select roles,” reveals Sagarika. So, is she willing to break out Chak De’s aura which is overshadowing her roles? “No, it is an amazing feeling when people recognise you with your work but it is important to maintain an image of an actress who can play distinctive roles and remain in collective memory for long,” says Sagarika.

A Commerce graduate, who entered Bollywood with no five year plans in her mind, wants to polish herself as an actor and remain popular amongst masses.

“I want to work and experiment with the roles till the time I have improved myself. Today, it is difficult to prove yourself when audience are aware what directors are serving them. A tough challenge lies ahead,” shares Sagarika, who wants to work with talented young directors and actors.

Interestingly, the 26-year-old considers herself as a beginner even after struggling for six years in Bollywood.  “Presently, I fit nowhere in the league of actress who have gained immense popularity through their work. In comparison to them I have not done enough of work,” says Sagarika.