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.
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.
Excerpts:
How was it working in a Punjabi movie?
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.
How is Diljit as a co-actor?
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.
How were you introduced to dance?
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.
When did you decide to move to India?
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.
How has India treated you over these years?
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.
How has your journey been till now?
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.
If you were not a dancer/actor, what would you have been?
I have no clue. I have actually never thought of it. I only live with a plan A!
Your biggest lesson of life?
I continue to work on thinking less. Dwelling on things, what should happen, what
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.
What are you next working on?
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.
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.
Excerpts:
How was it working in a Punjabi movie?
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.
How is Diljit as a co-actor?
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.
How were you introduced to dance?
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.
When did you decide to move to India?
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.
How has India treated you over these years?
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.
How has your journey been till now?
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.
If you were not a dancer/actor, what would you have been?
I have no clue. I have actually never thought of it. I only live with a plan A!
Your biggest lesson of life?
I continue to work on thinking less. Dwelling on things, what should happen, what
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.
What are you next working on?
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.