For Nargis Fakhri, a model from America, her debut film Rockstar with Ranbir Kapoor turned out to be a hit, but sadly she was written off as an actress. But Fakhri for who Hindi was a barrier made a smart move by signing, Madras Cafe as her second film in which she had to play a UK returned journalist in which she did not have to speak too much of Hindi. ?The character in Rockstar, was a girl from Kashmir and Imtiaz (Imtiaz Ali, the film?s director) thought I looked exactly like one. After we met he said that I was a bit crazy like the Heer of Rockstar. But everyone sees a film differently, and sees different things in a film. Some said I was horrible in Rockstar, while some said they loved me in it,? says Fakhri who had to wait for two years before Shoojit Sircar cast her as a London based journalist in Madras Cafe.
Ronnie Lahiri, producer of Madras Cafe says that if he had paid attention to what the media had written about her as an actress, they would never have cast her in the film. ?But Shoojit and I decided to meet her and found that she had the poise for the character, Jaya Sahni, and immediately decided to cast her. That?s when we realised that it?s important that a film-maker meets an actress if he is keen on casting her and not rely on deprecating reports, as a meeting can change perspectives. Only we didn?t pressurise her to speak in Hindi in the film because if we had, she would have been unable to concentrate on her performance. It?s also important for the actor to feel comfortable in a role to be appreciated,? said Lahri.
Fakhri is indeed inching her way up, as her recently released film, Main Tera Hero is a big hit, bringing in accolades for the leggy lass. ?The casting has to be proper. Sometimes you are lucky your character is just like you, sometimes you are noticed because the look is perfect, like the rich, spoilt Ayesha of Main Tera? was,? says the actress who has even landed a part in a Hollywood film.
Tipping point: Playing a war correspondent in the critically acclaimed Madras Cafe and now as the stylish Ayesha in the hit Main Tera Hero
Big ticket projects: Nargis opted out of Shaukeen to be part of the Hollywood project directed by Panul Feig
