Call it thrilling or spooky or a mere co-incidence, but when I asked Apoorva Lakhia to describe Amruta Patki in one word, he came out with - "Hungry". Now, cut to the scene from JW Marriott's coffee shop where I was invited by this femme fatale. I enter the hotel's coffee shop and see her dressed in a dark purple knee length designer. Patki looked nothing short of a 'pataka'. And there she was, sitting tall and slurping her soup with some wheat bread to give her company. Hungry she was, I tell you! To add some more spice in her supper, I take out my surprise. She accepts it and says, "This is a wine bottle. Thank you so much." What she didn't know was this, "It's a rose wine for you sweetheart. I know how to look after my friends", I reply. She couldn't stop loving me for this. Why? Read on. Promises aren't meant to be broken, right? Flashback time - A week ago, I didn't keep my promise and failed to offer some rose wine to the beautiful lady on her request on our first brief encounter. Back now, I think I made the right choice. Nearly fifteen minutes just watching her eat was delicious. She gets up. I let the lady take the first step out with gentlemanliness. Then you walk the dream till you reach the bar area for a more comfy rendezvous. Your mind starts fielding that she is a double-take tall with a perfect mess of black hair, ripped jeans, and a loose pink tank top draped over her nearly six-foot frame. And then you wish the only jewellery she wore was a ring you gifted her. As soon as you reach the bar area, within seconds, reality bites when you see her sitting on the couch. Ouch! One thing's certain, Amruta exudes supernatural supermodel poise, but there's one question that rattles her as soon as we begin our conversation - Will she crack it in the big bad world of Bollywood? Pat comes Patki's reply - 'Yes'...with oodles of confidence. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent introduces the cat on the prowl - Amruta Patki.
Big Bad world of Bollywood I am ready to jump into the big bad world of Bollywood. People treat you the way you conduct yourself. If I've stated from nowhere and I've reached somewhere, I'm sure it's not tough to reach everywhere.
Big Daddy That's how I describe Apoorva Lakhia. He is a big daddy. He is very strict and very honest and of course, very blunt...in a good way. One of my critics who really helped me to know what I am as an actor. His bluntness really helped me. When I gave my first audition, he told me, "Boss, you are pathetic". That's how honest he is. I went back home and cried but at the same time, I knew that I had to take his criticism. Then when he auditioned me for the second time, he convinced me that Shawn Arranha the director of Hide & Seek will work hard on my acting skills. He called me the next day and told me to read the newspaper where he had mentioned, 'Introducing Amruta Patki'!
Classic traits By the way, I am an Indian classical singer too. My mother made me learn a new art every summer vacation. There wasn't a single holiday where I was sitting at home doing nothing. So that's how gradually I learnt kathak, singing and Bollywood dancing. I love reading books but I also hope that I get to read good scripts. I love travelling and trekking. At the same time, I am a workaholic. I do my travelling every three to four months.
Best films I love Jodhaa Akbar, Dil Chahta Hai, Rock On and 3 Idiots. Except the first one, I think all the other films are enjoyable and yet possess quality that is distinct from each other. I can relate to all the characters in the last three films.
First film The first film I saw as a child was Maine Pyaar Kiya when I was three year old. On the flip side, I cried because I didn't want to see that film (laughs). But I definitely remember watching that film.
First meeting with a star I was in the second standard when, for the first time I saw a film star in person. Shah Rukh Khan it was, and Goa was the destination. He was shooting for Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa then.
First crush I was in the eighth standard when I had a crush on Hrithik Roshan. That's the time when Kaho Na Pyaar Hai released. I can trace back my days when I used to listen to the songs of that film every night before going to bed. I used to wear high heel shoes and put on mom's duppatta and look at myself in the mirror. I was very filmy. But had to do it secretly. I was a dreamer and I never gave up.
Models cannot act or can they? I definitely don't believe in the saying that models cannot act. There are so many models who've turned actors and they are quite successful. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan the biggest example we have. When you are a model, you're just being yourself. But when you're acting, you're being the character written in your script. Acting is all about reacting and I've come out with flying colours in my debut film Hide & Seek.
Preconceived notions I had this pre-conceived notion about the big actors. I felt that they just do whatever they have to, do not motivate you and support you, or even fail to give suggestions for that matter. You just have to say your scenes as if your co-star is standing next to you and the assistant director is delivering the dialogues. But all my notions were kept to rest. All my co-stars were really motivating and supportive