<div>Lauren Gottlieb shot to fame in India as a contestant in the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, and subsequently became one of its judges for the next edition.<br /><br /> She debuted in Bollywood with the movie ABCD: Any Body Can Dance by Remo D’Souza, and since then has been seen in a couple of other movies. Gottlieb’s latest venture is the Punjabi movie Ambarsarya, starring Diljit Dosanjh. The US-based dancer is playing the role of a Canada-based Punjabi girl who flies down to Amritsar to know more about Punjabi culture. Gottlieb, who is recently back from a short break in Los Angeles, spoke to Metrolife about her Punjabi stint, her love for Punjab and her life in India. <br /><br />Excerpts:<br /> <br />How was it working in a Punjabi movie?<br /><br />It was a wonderful experience. The process was more intimate and personal. The language was really exciting to speak. I found Punjabi to have a little bit of swag in the dialect. I was extra excited that my director, Mandeep sir, wanted me to dub for my role. It was very challenging. As I was personally seeing, smelling, tasting Punjab for the first time, I let all my natural excitement and curiosity come into play in my performance.<br /><br />How is Diljit as a co-actor? <br /><br />Diljit is a dream to work with. He is a superstar in Punjab and now a rising star in Bollywood, yet has no airs about him. He is perfectly professional and really cares about his work. As a co-actor, I felt we had a really great chemistry together in our scenes. I am hoping we do many more films together. <br /><br />How were you introduced to dance?<br /><br />My mother was actually the one who put me in dance classes when I was just seven years old. I was very stiff and uncomfortable. I remember crying after every practice and begging my mother to let me quit. I'm sure it is very hard to believe, but yes I, actually hated dance at first. <br /><br />When did you decide to move to India?<br /><br />I was offered ABCD when I was living in Los Angeles. I had recently put dancing on hold to pursue acting, because in Hollywood you can't do both. I was struggling with not having dance in my life when I got an email from UTV Motion Pictures about India’s 1st ever 3D dance film. I knew I had to come do it. It was when I first got to India that I realised I actually wanted to move here. <br /><br />How has India treated you over these years?<br /><br />I’d say better than I could have ever dreamt of. In terms of work, in just three years I have acted in four films, been a contestant, challenger, then judge of the a reality show, and Lauren has become a household name. I’m so proud of the work I have done here in India. But the people are the best part. India has the nicest people. It brought a lot of love into my life. <br /><br />How has your journey been till now?<br /><br />Personally, I always have to make sure I am growing. I have a big problem with complacency. Once I hit a level I am already looking higher. I think my journey reflects that. If you see where I came from to where I am now, in both Hollywood and Bollywood, you'll see that I set my goals high. <br /><br />If you were not a dancer/actor, what would you have been?<br /><br />I have no clue. I have actually never thought of it. I only live with a plan A!<br /><br />Your biggest lesson of life?<br /><br /> I continue to work on thinking less. Dwelling on things, what should happen, what <br />shouldn't happen, restricts you from letting things happen naturally. I often have people around me telling me to stop thinking so much and let things go. <br /><br />What are you next working on?<br /><br />I am currently reading a couple of scripts. I want my next film to really highlight my acting ability. I have shown and proved my dancing skills time and time again. Now I want to blow my audience away with a performance they never expected from me. <br /></div>
<div>Lauren Gottlieb shot to fame in India as a contestant in the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, and subsequently became one of its judges for the next edition.<br /><br /> She debuted in Bollywood with the movie ABCD: Any Body Can Dance by Remo D’Souza, and since then has been seen in a couple of other movies. Gottlieb’s latest venture is the Punjabi movie Ambarsarya, starring Diljit Dosanjh. The US-based dancer is playing the role of a Canada-based Punjabi girl who flies down to Amritsar to know more about Punjabi culture. Gottlieb, who is recently back from a short break in Los Angeles, spoke to Metrolife about her Punjabi stint, her love for Punjab and her life in India. <br /><br />Excerpts:<br /> <br />How was it working in a Punjabi movie?<br /><br />It was a wonderful experience. The process was more intimate and personal. The language was really exciting to speak. I found Punjabi to have a little bit of swag in the dialect. I was extra excited that my director, Mandeep sir, wanted me to dub for my role. It was very challenging. As I was personally seeing, smelling, tasting Punjab for the first time, I let all my natural excitement and curiosity come into play in my performance.<br /><br />How is Diljit as a co-actor? <br /><br />Diljit is a dream to work with. He is a superstar in Punjab and now a rising star in Bollywood, yet has no airs about him. He is perfectly professional and really cares about his work. As a co-actor, I felt we had a really great chemistry together in our scenes. I am hoping we do many more films together. <br /><br />How were you introduced to dance?<br /><br />My mother was actually the one who put me in dance classes when I was just seven years old. I was very stiff and uncomfortable. I remember crying after every practice and begging my mother to let me quit. I'm sure it is very hard to believe, but yes I, actually hated dance at first. <br /><br />When did you decide to move to India?<br /><br />I was offered ABCD when I was living in Los Angeles. I had recently put dancing on hold to pursue acting, because in Hollywood you can't do both. I was struggling with not having dance in my life when I got an email from UTV Motion Pictures about India’s 1st ever 3D dance film. I knew I had to come do it. It was when I first got to India that I realised I actually wanted to move here. <br /><br />How has India treated you over these years?<br /><br />I’d say better than I could have ever dreamt of. In terms of work, in just three years I have acted in four films, been a contestant, challenger, then judge of the a reality show, and Lauren has become a household name. I’m so proud of the work I have done here in India. But the people are the best part. India has the nicest people. It brought a lot of love into my life. <br /><br />How has your journey been till now?<br /><br />Personally, I always have to make sure I am growing. I have a big problem with complacency. Once I hit a level I am already looking higher. I think my journey reflects that. If you see where I came from to where I am now, in both Hollywood and Bollywood, you'll see that I set my goals high. <br /><br />If you were not a dancer/actor, what would you have been?<br /><br />I have no clue. I have actually never thought of it. I only live with a plan A!<br /><br />Your biggest lesson of life?<br /><br /> I continue to work on thinking less. Dwelling on things, what should happen, what <br />shouldn't happen, restricts you from letting things happen naturally. I often have people around me telling me to stop thinking so much and let things go. <br /><br />What are you next working on?<br /><br />I am currently reading a couple of scripts. I want my next film to really highlight my acting ability. I have shown and proved my dancing skills time and time again. Now I want to blow my audience away with a performance they never expected from me. <br /></div>
