'Only training I've had is through my director'

Celeb talk

Playing the role of Noor in film Jaanisaar, Pernia Qureshi was all praise for her mentor and her debut film’s director Muzaffar Ali’s tremendous work. Qureshi who hails from Rampur, Himachal Pradesh was in the Capital recently to launch the bridal show Wedding Asia’s Jaanisaar-inspired clothes line.

“It is my first film. The whole shooting process was lovely and relaxing because it was a very family-oriented environment. Being with Muzaffar Ali, on his set and in his house in Kotwara, where we shot, it was like being at home. He made me feel so comfortable. The way he trained me, groomed me was very organic and in a sweet way. The whole process was wonderful,” Qureshi told Metrolife.

Birju Maharaj and Kumudini Lakhia have choreographed the dance sequences. Qureshi says, “I got to work with the best people like Pandit Birju Maharaj and some of the music and dance legends.”

The period drama, set two decades after the first war of Independence of 1857, depicts the love saga of a revolutionary dancer in Awadh and a prince brought up in England, produced by Meera Ali, releases today (August 7).

As a trained Indian classical dancer, Qureshi never took acting lessons. “I have been a Kathak dancer since the age of four and then I learnt Kuchipudi. So, I have been an Indian classical dancer and a performer my whole life. I am used to emoting, being on stage but acting-wise, I did not have any training. The only training I’ve had is through my director, Muzaffar Sahab,” she said.

On the exotic costume designs, Qureshi, whose Instagram feeds are very popular for her fashion style and, is a well-known fashion entrepreneur, said, “The costumes are inspired by the time and Muzaffar Sahab has tried to maintain the contemporary with the old world charm.”  

Qureshi mentioned how she landed the role. “Though he (Ali) would know better, but I think, what he saw in me was a raw emotion. He wanted somebody fresh and raw and somebody who is used to the stage. I am not unfamiliar to acting as a lot of classical dance is how you tell stories and how you emote. So, in a way, I was already attuned to that. I had to adjust myself to the camera.” 

“Performing on the stage and performing in front of a camera are two different things. So, that was something that I really had to learn and adjust it myself including the way, I show emotions because the camera picks up everything. On stage, you can be larger than life but on camera, I had to adjust. I had Muzaffar Sahab’s guidance which is the best one can have,” she adds.

On Pakistani heartthrob Imran Abbas who stars opposite her, she chuckled, “I don’t know how thrilled Imran’s Pakistani fans are with me. Imran is a friend of mine. He is a brat. He is always joking, fighting and laughing and we had a great time. We really entertained each other. Thank God... he was there. We were in the jungles, in the interiors of Uttar Pradesh. So, it was nice to work with someone whom you really got along with. We became such good friends that it shows onscreen.”