After Parineeti Chopra, now Bhumi Pednekar has announced her arrival in Bollywood. Both leading ladies were doing well behind the scenes and weren't really carrying any Bollywood ambitions and aspirations. However, one stroke of luck changed their destiny forever. From being associated with PR, Marketing and Casting division of a production house, Parineeti and Bhumi found themselves gearing up to play a leading lady part soon.
We reached out to several other media professionals coming from the PR, Marketing, Designing, Blogging and Celebrity Management background (amongst others) of Bollywood, to know if they too carried a secret ambition of finding just the right opportunity to showcase their acting skills.
Well, this is what they had to say!
[All names mentioned in alphabetical order]
Ammara Hikmat - CEO Encyclomedia PR: "No, I don't intend to get into acting. I have got offers in the past but I think I will stick to what I'm doing. If I get in front of the camera, I will be a pathetic actress."
Dhvani Unadkat - PR Manager: "Yes, I do aspire to be an actress. I would like to play a role of a closer to reality character who isn't conscious about size and glamour and still aspires and dreams to be a part of the Bollywood gung-ho."
Divya Bali - Celebrity Manager: "Being an actor is the toughest job and I don't think I could ever live up to that."
Divya Jain - Marketing Manager: "I've worked on the marketing and promotions of many films which is when I learned about films and the glitz and grandeur. I have met a few good people and am also getting a good response. I would definitely like to be part of mainstream Bollywood films."
Sunita D'Souza - Celebrity Manager: "I've not aspired to be a heroine but if I had one opportunity to be an actress, I'll love to play Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I love the classics, hence the choice."
Sushmita Murthy - Features writer: "Well, honestly I'm too camera shy to be on screen. I'd be flattered if given an opportunity, but too scared to take it up. I'd probably make an exception for (director) Vikas Bahl because I think he gets the best out of his actors. Knowing that would be assuring."
Swagata Dam - Entertainment Journalist: "I do not aspire to be a heroine as I love being a writer. But I would definitely not mind playing a friend/sister of one of the lead actors in a fun and young film. Just for kicks! After all, which girl wouldn't want to see herself on the big screen?"
Urmi Daga - Fashion stylist and a style blogger: "I don't have any plans on becoming an actress for sure! I do a few ads once in a while and that too just for friends or any instant requirements on my styling projects! That's about it!"
Uttara Ayyar - Manager Public Relations and Corporate Communications: "Being a trained dancer who has participated in various plays in school and college, acting has always interested me. But I look at it more as a passion. I am not sure if it interests me as a profession."
Sneh Kulkarni - PR professional: "I was curious and interested very much earlier. But as I got to see the challenges and life that came with it after working as PR in the TV, studios and now fashion industry, I don't think I could ever be prepared for that kind of pressure of being in the limelight. So I chose to remain in the background, yet enjoying being a part of these dynamic businesses."
Sonia Varghese - PR Manager: "I'd love to be in front of the camera if there's something in me that the role requires, and if I don't go camera shy. For instance, Parineeti and Bhumi had what the characters needed and I believe they were in the right place at the right time. I also look up to Vidya's work in The Dirty Picture - quite gutsy and challenging. I'd love to do a character role as such, something that breaks conventions and challenges the status quo."
Srividya Menon - Editor: "Having seen the art of cinema unfold the way it does, I am curious to know what it means to be a heroine. Whatever part I get, it would be about a confident, fiery, imperfect and a loving woman."
Sujata Narwankar - PR Manager: "I aspire to be a Singer but being a heroine will be a JACKPOT!! I loved Priyanka for her unique and challenging roles like Mary Kom and Barfi!, and also Rani Mukherji for Black."
Rohini Verma - PR Manager: "Yeah, I aspire to be a heroine as well. Seeing people from PR/Casting background like Parineeti Chopra and Bhumi Pednekar turning into amazing actresses, I feel excited to take up acting as well. I would like to play the part of an outgoing and fun girl in a film which has elements of fun, emotions, love and even suspense, like maybe a Kareena Kapoor in Jab We Met. But I wouldn't mind playing an unconventional and challenging part as well. I would want to play various roles as an actress and not stick to one particular genre."
Saloni Sancheti - Publicist: "Like every female in our country, even I would love to be in fame for like a month or so. The stardom is always calling for. I would love to play the role of a workaholic, maybe. The 'no time for love' kind."
Sameeksha Kachru - Fashion Designer: "I can say that for me, modeling was completely unplanned and fell into my lap when I took a break from my job in PR, as I had friends who were into casting for TVCs and print ads. One thing led to another and I got the opportunity to host one daily and one weekly show on UTV Stars - Stars@10 and Style Addict for a couple of months. I think if you have the talent and get the right opportunity; the jump from PR to acting can be quite interesting and exciting for everyone."
Sanjeevani Rajput - PR consultant: "Me, a heroine? Well, I would love to play Kangna from Queen! That's all."
Parul Parmar - PR Manager: "Oh, I think Parineeti is a mind blowing actor. Honestly I do not aspire to be an actress as working behind the scene appeals to me more. Having said that, if at all I was given an opportunity (which seems very unlikely), I would like to play an inspiring part about a strong and independent girl who is beautiful from the inside and not just outside, just like both Parineeti and Bhumi are."
Pooja Dutta - Celebrity Manager: "I don't aspire to become an actor. I am very happy behind camera doing other stuff."
Priyanka Khatri Chikhlikar - PR and Communications Manager: "No, I don't have any aspirations to act. I love my job and as you can imagine, doing PR and Communications for Yash Raj Films, India's most eminent production house, is a great feeling, while staying comfortably behind the scenes which is what I enjoy."
Rashmi Daryanani - Bollywood blogger: "Acting as a profession doesn't interest me. I am definitely not interested in being a heroine. However I really-really want to work on a film set one day, and in whatever capacity. I just want to see a film being made from start to finish one day."