“The only man in my life is my dad” – Esha Gupta

By Satish Sundaresan -

August 11, 2016 - 3:42 PM IST

The very moment when Esha Gupta said 'cheese' before the camera, she was constantly being compared to the Hollywood hottie Angelina Jolie. She has really worked her way up in Bollywood to carve a place for herself in the industry. This week sees the release of her much talked about film Rustom, in which she will be seen as a character with grey shades.

Satish Sundaresan of Bollywood Hungama caught up with Esha Gupta for a tete-a-tete. Here are the excerpts:

“The only man in my life is my dad” – Esha Gupta

First things first. Where had the Bollywood’s sensational heart throb Esha Gupta disappeared for long?
Not so long yaar... Esha Gupta was right here, she hadn't gone anywhere. It’s just that I was waiting for the right script. There could have been no better film than Rustom. So... here I am, doing the right things at the right time.

What were the kind of films that were being offered before Rustom?
There were definitely many films which were offered to me. But, then, they were not so worthwhile.

So, what made you choose Rustom over other films?
Everything about Rustom is just great. Be the starcast, the production, the director and the script…. Rustomwas all the good things packaged into one. Above all, there was Akshay Kumar and Neeraj Pandey! I was clear in my mind that, if I was not cast opposite Akshay Kumar, then, I wanted to be the one who makes his life a living hell in the film.

What are the parameters that you choose before you sign a film?
There are absolutely no parameters. All that it matters to me is whether I like the film or not. Having said that, let me also add that I will not do a small film with a newcomer director and a new production house, where they do not know what they or doing or they are making a film just for the heck of it.

In the same breath, let me ask you that, had your character of Rustom been offered to you by a newcomer director with a new production house, what would have been your answer?
Maybe, I would have said yes to that. Because, my role is Rustom is totally awesome.

Since the story of Rustom has been inspired by a real life story of Rustom Pavri, did you have any homework or were there any reference points for your role?
Not at all. The film’s director Tinu Desai was so very clear about everything, right from the word go. Right from my look, my walk, my mannerisms, attitude, body language and my tone… he was so clear about what he wanted out of me. He did all the research for not just my character, but, for every character in the film.

What’s your character’s name in the film and a little brief about her?
I play the role of Preethi Makhija, who is an extremely strong girl, hailing from a super-rich family. My character is someone who is not used to taking no for an answer. She always wants to be victorious and successful all the time. She is also proud of the fact that she has all the money in the world and the killer looks. In the film, you will see my eyes speaking more than my words. ‘No one is above me’ is what my character in Rustom is all about.

Did you audition for the role of Preethi Makhija?
Not really. The very moment Tinu Desai saw me, he said that ‘You are my Preethi Makhija and I am sure that you will do full justice to the role’. I just couldn’t have asked for more.

How was it to work with Akshay Kumar and Ileana D’Cruz?
It was an absolutely amazing experience. At the end of the day, my co-star was “Akshay Kumar”. He is one of the biggest stars in Bollywood. There are the Khans, and then…there’s Akshay Kumar! He will never demand respect, he always commands it. After my dad, it is Akshay Kumar who is so very punctual. I have learnt a lot from him as far as fitness is concerned. Akshay Kumar also spoke to me, for being so ‘under confident’, my acting and my choice of films. He said that ‘One flop cannot define you’. He cited his own example of having delivered 12 flops in a row. The whole experience was simply awesome.

Akshay Kumar is someone who has been a huge inspiration for many. What was it about him that attracted you the most?
There is so much to Akshay Kumar that one can learn from him. Right from his entry in Bollywood till where he has reached today, the journey in itself has been so very inspiring.

Rustom also sees two things for the first time. First is you being paired opposite Akshay Kumar and second, you playing a negative role. Were these two things on your bucket list when you entered Bollywood?
Playing a negative role was never in my mind. But when the offer to play a negative role came my way in the form of Rustom, I just did not want to let it go. And as far as working with Akshay Kumar is concerned, who does not want to work with him!

How was Tinu Desai as a director?
He is an extremely patient and calm person. He is never the one to be stressed out. He manages the crowd with a smile. He brings out 100 percent in any actor.

There’s a popular misconception that two heroines can never get along on the sets of any film without any quarrels and ego hassles. Did Ileana D’Cruz and you manage to break this misconception?
Ileana D’Cruz is an extremely nice person. She would never gossip or bullshit whenever she was around. It was so easy for me to get along with her. Since both of us were exactly the same as far as our natures are concerned, there was absolutely no room for any kind of quarrels and ego hassles.

While on one hand, you hail from an air force background where being punctual is everything. On the other hand, you are a part of Bollywood, where ‘coming late’ is an ‘integral part’ of the profession. How do you balance between the two?
I really get brain fried. I really hate it when people are not on time. My time is equally precious as the opposite person.

Little is known about your personal life. Are you single or are you seeing someone? A couple of months ago, you had posted your selfie with an ‘engagement’ ring. Was there any indication of things to come?
That was basically a brand endorsement for ‘Hazoorilal’ jewellers. It was supposed to be a teaser campaign for the brand, but, the whole thing backfired.

What are your forthcoming films?
I am doing Commando 2 and Baadshaho. There’s one more film that will go on floors in December. The official announcement will be made soon.

Little has been known about your personal life. All your fans are wondering about the presence of any man in your life?
I am as single as single can be. The only man in my life is my dad (smiles). I am too busy working that I hardly have time for anything else.