The scene-stealers of current generation : Bollywood News

Aditi Rao Hydari

Instant Recall: The beautiful Ramabua in Delhi-6

Aditis Story So Far: No offence to the zillion characters in Delhi-6, but everyone at the films press screening only wanted to find who Rama bua was. The camera loves Aditi Rao Hydari and it has a strange way of beckoning her to be in front of it. As a kid she was signed by Muzaffar Ali for Zooni. Aditi was supposed to play the younger version of Dimple Kapadia. The movie never got made but Aditis mother has still kept the costumes of the movie. As for her big-screen splash, she was spotted at a concert by director Sharadha Ramanathan who signed her on for the Tamil film, Sringaram-Dance Of Love.

A trained Bharatanatyam dancer-her teacher is the legendary Leela Samson - Aditi has also acted opposite Mammootty in the Malayalam movie Prajapathi. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehras wife Bharati, who also edits his films, saw clippings of Sringaram when the film was sent for the National Awards and recommended Aditi for Delhi-6. She was earlier slated to play Bittus character, which later went to Sonam Kapoor. Aditi confesses that she was hesitant to sign on as Rama. I thought Id become a part of the wallpaper. I mean who would notice me in front of such great actors! But I agreed just for the sheer experience of it, she says. Mehras brief to her was to model her character on Jaya Bachchans role in Sholay. I hadnt seen Sholay so I was at my wits end. But with Rakeysh-sirs guidance, I managed to hold my own, she says.

The 25-year-old did more than just hold her own. She dominated the reviews and sent many journos hunting for her story. And its quite a historic one. Her maternal grandfather is Raja J Rameshwar Rao of Vanaparti near Hyderabad and her fathers grandfather was the prime minister to the Nizam of Hyderabad, Sir Akbar Hydari. Shes embarrassed about her lineage and doesnt wish to give it much importance. Her husband, Satyadeep Misras favourite joke is to call her turquoise blood. He thinks I have diluted royalty, she says.

Aditi is looking to make a switch full-time to cinema and its the multiplex films that she is most enthused about. I cant lead the life that a typical heroine leads. Im bad at networking and would rather spend time with my husband. I dont have any guardian angel. I cant eat glasses and nails for breakfast and push other people out of the picture. So Id rather wait for small yet meaningful films to come my way, she says. But shes serious about making it here since she has moved bag, baggage and dog from Delhi. As for her dream role: Anything in a Vishal Bhardwaj film.

Wish-list: Manisha Koirala in Bombay, Rani Mukherji in Yuva and Kareena Kapoor in Omkara.

Industry Verdict: I wished the camera had stayed a little longer on that lovely girl, says Mira Nair.

Screen India