Introducing Monikangana Dutta

How was it working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was he extremely demanding? Obviously to be at the top you have to be demanding no? How can you not be demanding and be at the top? So was he a taskmaster? I don’t know taskmaster, Read More">what is the meaning of taskmaster I’ll have to open theRead More

How was it working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was he extremely demanding?
Obviously to be at the top you have to be demanding no? How can you not be demanding and be at the top?

So was he a taskmaster?
I don't know taskmaster, what is the meaning of taskmaster I'll have to open the dictionary and see. But he is perfectionist, Ash is a perfectionist and Hrithik is perfectionist.

Ash is a perfectionist, Hrithik is perfectionist

Did you face nay kind of challenge on the set considering it was is your debut?
The movie itself is a challenge. It's a challenging movie. Please go watch the movie. Watch Estella, it's a challenging role, it's a beautiful role.

So now that you've made your debut here, have you decided on the kind of films you want to do?
See, I am an actor, and an actor's job is to do all kinds of roles and all kinds of cinema. No one should sit at home and make a list and say oh! I just want to do these movies.

Bollywood is a complete rat race for the number one spot....
Everyone wants to be at the top, if someone does not want to be at the top, they are lying. Jhooth bol rahe hai woh log. Life is a rat race. Everyday we try to make it better and better and happier and happier. Think about it.

Were you a movie buff before you entered the industry? As I said I was no buff, I was not a movie buff, I was not a modelling buff…no. I don’t understand these words. I was always a family person, I still am. I had no dreams; I just wanted to get married. So, Read More">youRead More

Were you a movie buff before you entered the industry?
As I said I was no buff, I was not a movie buff, I was not a modelling buff…no. I don't understand these words. I was always a family person, I still am. I had no dreams; I just wanted to get married.

So, you didn't watch Bollywood films?
Of course I watch a lot of Bollywood movies, yes, since I was a child. Who doesn't? I liked Meena Kumari, Nargis, Rekha, I watched such beauties, and they are evergreen.

What kind of movies did you relate to…
Dramatic and romantic

From the recent lot…
From the recent lot, I don't think I've seen much of the recent movies; I have been too busy with myself.

Which actress from the recent lot do you think is extremely talented according to you?
Me, me. Monikangana Dutta.

What is the most glaring difference between the modelling industry and the Film industry that you have come across?
Completely different. Modelling is completely different. Model means we are there as show pieces and mannequins to display clothes to various clients and customers. It's a very serious business abroad not like here in India ki mazak bana diya hai models ko aur modelling ko. But cinema is global. A normal modelling like doing a photoshoot by doing ramp shows you can't reach common masses but with cinema the whole world watches you, they'll be judging you. To be an actor is not that easy but the best part is that you can reach out to so many people almost everyone.

If there was one actor that you would love to star opposite from the Bollywood industry, which would it be?
I don't know, I haven't thought about it as yet.

The audience who will be coming and watching Guzaarish. What should they expect from the movie and your role?
Please expect what you have to expect, it's completely your choice. I have done my bit and I wait to hear from all of you. It's a great challenging role. So love Estella.

Did you take up any training courses for Guzaarish? Yes, Sanjay sir put me through a lot of classes, ballet dance classes, not acting classes. Ballet school and contemporary dance classes with Ashley Lobo, Terence, it was so much fun. For a couple of months, Read More">actually no one tells you to do anything you know;Read More

Did you take up any training courses for Guzaarish?
Yes, Sanjay sir put me through a lot of classes, ballet dance classes, not acting classes. Ballet school and contemporary dance classes with Ashley Lobo, Terence, it was so much fun. For a couple of months, actually no one tells you to do anything you know; you have to use your own brain. Finally its you, who is doing the role. It is your own talent. I had to think a lot how to play Estella. No one told me how to play Estella, it was my point of view my perception of how I play Estella. They would give me a scene and I was asked to do it the way I want too. It was very different; there was freedom of expressing oneself.

Sanjay sir put me through a lot of classes, ballet dance classes, not acting classes

Your character Estella is that of Hrithik's ex-lover in Guzaarish?
Watch the film for that.

Can you tell me the nuances of the character?
You'll have to ask my director, I can't talk about it, I am under contract.

How was it being with Aishwarya on the sets?
It was lovely. She is a wonderful person. Very warm.

Did she help you out? How was the general environment out there?
We all helped each other out. Trust me it was a wonderful team I worked with. It was a dream team. I think I want to work with them again, and again and again, because they were all loving and there was no hoo hoo chu chaaa on the set. You know we were like one family So, we all helped each other, we all were there for each other, we all gave each other so much love, lots of warmth.

Almost everyone has seen her confident walk on the ramp and those stunning pictures that take everyone’s breathe away in Kingfisher calendar. After being selected as one of the six Victoria’s Secret angels for their upcoming line, Read More">Monikangana Dutta is now all set to make her entry into the Bollywood with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcomingRead More

Almost everyone has seen her confident walk on the ramp and those stunning pictures that take everyone's breathe away in Kingfisher calendar. After being selected as one of the six Victoria's Secret angels for their upcoming line, Monikangana Dutta is now all set to make her entry into the Bollywood with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film Guzaarish starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. In conversation with Chandni Dev, Monikangana speaks about her past, present and reveals how future is something that she never plans for.

Monikangana, what does it mean?
(Laughs) Everyone's so curious to know that, my name Mon means "moti" pearl in Assamese and Kangana is kangan so it means a pearl bracelet.

Interesting, so a lot is happening for you, considering a Bollywood debut and you also have been selected as one of the six Victoria secret angels. How does it feel with so much buzz about you going around?
I have been in this buzz two years back, it's like a de ja vu, it's like wow it's happening again but trust me I have worked my a$$ off to be here and I have a long way to go. I am still not satisfied but for the moment my plate is full.

For the role that you play in Guzaarish, Sanjay Leela Bhansali did ask you to act out something on your whim; kind of an audition wasn't it?
There was no audition; I don't know why everyone is asking me this. There was no camera with people and audition. It was just that he said, 'I want to see you act, So you do whatever you want to do, you can do drama, you can do romantic, you can do anything.' I did a dramatic scene because I can really relate to drama because I am a really dramatic person. He liked it and that's how I was in Guzaarish.

I did a dramatic scene because I can really relate to drama because I am a really dramatic person

When Guzaarish happened, were you pretty sure that acting is what you want to do?
My whole career from the age of 17 was unplanned, it's not like I was ready for something. You can't be ready for anything in life. Nothing is constant that we can be ready and tomorrow it will happen. Just go with the flow with the best opportunities in life.