'I would like to be a man for a day'

Candid chat

You might know her as Sonam Kapoor’s best friend in the film ‘Neerja’. Well, that’s Eisha Chopra, a New Delhi and Mumbai-based designer, writer and actor.

Since the success of the movie, the actor has worked in various projects including television series ‘P.O.W. Bandi Yuddh Ke’ and written scripts for it as well. She chats with Anila Kurian about the many hats she wears and how she manages them all with ease.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a web series called ‘Bewafa Se Wafa’. I just completed ‘P.O.W. Bandi Yuddh Ke’ as well which was a fun project. There are a few more projects in the pipeline which will be announced soon.

How did you make the shift from being a design student to entering the film
industry?
I don’t have any background in films but I was a part of theatre since I was six years old. I enjoyed drawing as well. When I completed my graduation, I worked for an advertising agency and that encouraged me to perform again.

What was your first audition experience like?
It was scary but exciting at the same time. I realised that acting is something I love and I think of it more as a passion than a job that I have to do.

What motivates you to try different things?
I believe that the biggest failure is when you have never tried. I took a plunge by making acting my career and it worked. I guess I was at the right place at the right time.

Tell us about your experience in ‘Neerja’.
When I heard that I had to play an air hostess, I found it a bit bizarre and didn’t want to audition. But I went for it anyway and thank god I did! That movie made me realise that acting is about reacting and my role required me to do just that.

Actors you want to work with in the future...
Ranbir Kapoor and Randeep Hooda.

Your pet peeve.
When people are not punctual.

Something that instantly makes you happy.
Working and binge watching shows on Netflix.

Your oldest possession.
A gold ring that I stole from my mother years ago. That’s the only piece of jewellery that I haven’t lost yet!

Your guilty pleasure.
Dark chocolate and red wine.

If you could be someone else for a day...
I would like to be a man for a day and know what it’s like. Probably take me on a date and experience that too! (laughs)

Your dog Bagheera is very popular on your Instagram account. What’s the one trick that you haven’t succeeded in teaching him?
He has attachment problems and always follows me around. That’s something I haven’t been able to teach him — to give me some personal space.