Embracing a starry life

Straight talk

Model turned actor Amyra Dastur, who was last seen in Stanley Tong’s action-adventure comedy film ‘Kung Fu Yoga’, made her Bollywood debut with the movie ‘Issaq’ opposite Prateik Babbar.

The actor also made her Kollywood debut with the Tamil movie ‘Aneghan’ opposite actor Dhanush. She will soon be seen in Manjula Ghattamaneni’s next, a Telugu film starring Sundeep Kishan.

In a chat with Surupasree Sarmmah, Amyra talks about her love for acting, the experience of working with Jackie Chan and more.

You were a model and then entered the world of commercials. How did acting come your way?
I started modelling at the age of 16. The whole point was to become an actor. For someone who doesn’t have a filmy background, it all starts with commercials. I followed the same path and gradually paved my way towards films.

If you were to play a yesteryear character, which one would you choose?
It might sound very cliched but I would love to essay the role of Madhubala from the film ‘Mughal-E-Azam’. It was the first Hindi movie I had seen and I instantly fell in love with her character. Her performance really struck me.

Your experience of working with Jackie Chan...
It was an absolute adventure and travelling together for a year was nothing short of an experience in itself. He is one of the most humble people I have met. I remember when we were shooting in Iceland, I was freezing. He sent jackets and woollen socks to my room to keep me warm.It was amazing to see that he actually paid attention.

He once told me hard work is the most important thing without which an actor is nothing. I had never imagined that I would be working with him one day.

Given a chance, would you enter the ‘Bigg Boss’ house?   
No, it’s too harsh for me and I don’t think I will survive. I love watching it, but staying there for real is a big ‘no’. It’s a big contrast to my personality.

An actor you would like to work with...
I can take two names —
Kangana Ranaut and Amitabh Bachchan ji.

Your most embarrassing audition till date...
It was during the time when I had just started. I remember this one time when I just couldn’t remember the lines; coming from a Parsi family, my Hindi was not that refined and instead of Hindi, I would start talking in Gujarati.

Your favourite birthday memory...
It was last year when Jackie Chan got me a cake on the sets of ‘Kung Fu Yoga’. I didn’t tell anyone it was my birthday but somehow the entire cast managed to surprise me.