“It had no body double, only sharks, who could rip your body into two” – Chitrashi

By Devansh Patel -

July 13, 2009 - 2:11 PM IST

Chitrashi is one of the most envied youngster in Bollywood. Having played hockey with Shah Rukh Khan to sharing screen space with Sanjay Dutt, she is only two films old and yet confident, bold and raring to go. 'Go-getter' is how she is in real life. She is full of attitude which she uses in doing things right and not wrong. She doesn't stand tall but has a towering personality in the way she acts. When it comes to playing women who are cool, no one does it better than Chitrashi because she has specialized at playing women in a world of men who can keep up just fine. Her latest film Luck might just prove that she is the crush material. Not where men fall for her, but men who would literally fall on her feet begging for their lives. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent caught up with the smallest of the Bollywood actresses who is climbing the ladder of success at a lightning speed. Is she plain lucky? You find out.

“It had no body double, only sharks, who could rip your body into two” – Chitrashi

What is the meaning of the word Chitrashi?

Actually my mother gave me this name. She is an artist (painter). So it means like an perceptive art, to see and admire the beauty of art and having the power of perceiving. That's what Chitrashi means. I hope you got the perceptive analysis of my name now (laughs).

Is it lucky?

What's unlucky about it? As a matter of fact, it's so unique. I've never met or heard anyone else by this name. So it always makes me stand out and not to forget, it got me lot of fame too. My name is lucky and so am I.

Then shall we say, Chak De Chitrashi or Lucky Chitrashi?

Well, I don't mind both. You can address me as any of the two or whatever you like the most. At the moment, people address me as lucky Chitrashi because of my film Luck. On the streets, people recognize me as Chak De Chitrashi. I've got two first names: Chak De and Lucky, how funny is that? (laughs).

On the streets, people recognize me as Chak De Chitrashi

Imran told me that your part was suppose to be played by a guy.

Yes it's true. You won't believe it, but still in the script, Soham hasn't changed it. The screenplay has a man saying the dialogues. So watch out guys! Wherever I find you all, I'll replace you. It was a tough decision taken by Soham and a risky one too. The good thing is that I got to be a part of such an ensemble cast. I am working with the veterans and the new comers of our industry. That is an experience in itself. People say that I am a tomb boy. I guess, Soham is lucky. He has got both. A guy he had in the script and the girl he was looking for.

You are the youngest among the big heavy weights of Bollywood. How does it feel?

It feels great and challenging of course. But I guess I've always managed to stand out from the crowd. This is not my arrogance or my ego, it is pure talent. Being one of the youngest doesn't mean that the heavy weights will crush me. Being young is to prove that you can stand up to the heavy weights and act as professionally as they can. I'm working with bigger names yet again and so it's not only me to prove my talent and luck but even my seniors, who has to match up to new talent and new professionalism, the one I posses.

What exactly did Soham tell you before you said 'Yes' for the role?

Almost everything. I was aware of every single detail of the script. But yes, these were his exact words, 'This film will be incomplete without you'. I think that's the best thing any director will tell his actors. It also doesn't mean that he is buttering me up for the role
he wants so desperately, but it shows his confidence and his conviction in me and my talent. He knows that I will not let him down and I have done exactly that. It's time for my audience's feedback. I also heard that even Ram Gopal Varma liked the way I walk in the theatrical promo.

Soham said to me 'This film will be incomplete without you'

Imran also mentioned to me that you do speak like how you do on-screen? Does that come easy for you?

(laughs) That's so sweet of him. Not exactly, but yes, bits of it. I'm very bindaas in real life. So it does come very easy to me. I am what I am. I cannot change the way I talk on-screen. You will always find actors who bring in their off-screen persona to films in some way or the other. It is not forced; it comes naturally to any actor, including me. The good thing is that people find that way I talk in real life more practical and think that it will add on to their film.

I am what I am. I cannot change the way I talk on-screen.

What has been the luckiest day of your life?

I think the day when Chak De India got released and in one night we all hockey players became superstars.

Your take on Bollywood's newest entrants - Imran and Shruti?

Oh lovely. Both were really good to me and are good to themselves (laughs). We did spent quite a lot of good time together off screen as well. We partied a lot. I used to have a really good conversation with Imran. I got along with him quite well. Imran has surpassed his previous best. He is a vulnerable actor and is too natural on-screen.
He is like me. The way I am in real life. Shruti is one of the best finds in Bollywood at the moment. She is tall, talented and a treat to watch. A fabulous singer and a dancer.

He is a vulnerable actor and is too natural on-screen

Do you share a lot of screen space with Sanjay Dutt in Luck?

No. I have only one scene with him. But one thing is for sure, he has got a towering personality. He commands respect.

Do you perform any stunts in the film?
Hell yes. The water & sharks sequences almost took my breath away. You need to see the film to believe it. It had no body double, only sharks, who could rip your body in double (laughs).

It had no body double, only sharks, who could rip your body in double

Name a few instances from your life where you went unlucky.

I know its going to sound very cliche but I can only remember the lucky ones. I tend to forget unlucky instances. Plus, it's important to know what has worked for you more than what hasn't. I'm lucky that I am acting in Luck but unlucky that I cannot predict the box office fate. I'm lucky that I am talented but unlucky that I may sometimes fall short of my talent.