Industry kids do have it easier: Prachi Desai

Actress Prachi Desai has come to be associated with quite a few successful films in Bollywood — from Rock On!! to Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai to the more recent Rs100-crore comedy Bol Bachchan, among others. But while riding high on her hits, Prachi reveals that it’s never been easy. “There’s a lot of pressure on choosing the right roles, especially if you are a non-industry kid,” she admits. Talking about her non-film background, the actor says that though she doesn’t feel like an outsider completely, it is hard for her to forget that she’s here without any filmi connections or a Godfather! “I think industry kids do have it easier in comparison. They come in as known names. Plus, there are always people ready to pick them up even if they fall along the way. Unfortunately, outsiders do not get those many chances. They have to keep proving themselves over and over again, until they get that one earth shattering role that’ll break away all divides. I always have to be careful in my choice of films. Luckily they’ve all worked so far, but I still can’t take it easy,” she smiles.

Point out that they have all been rather different each time, and she quips, “That’s the whole idea. I’d rather let four films go by, than sign up for something that I’m not convinced about. And thankfully, I’m in a position where I can pick and choose and wait if I want to for that right role,” shares Prachi. Having come from a TV background with a certain ‘beti-bahu image’, the struggle to break away from it hasn’t been easy either. “My popularity on TV did make me a recognised name, but it wasn’t easy getting rid of that baggage when it came to being cast in films. It’s not just audiences, but even filmmakers get swayed by the on-screen image. That’s why, I decided to do films that are diametrically opposite to what I did on the small screen,” she adds.

Currently shooting for the Sanjay Dutt starrer action thriller, which is a remake of South hit Samy, Prachi says that she sports a very earthy look. “The film has rural tones, while my other film I, Me, Aur Main (with John Abraham) sees me in a complete urban and hip avatar. These differences are exciting. I’d hate to bore myself or the audience doing the same thing over and over again,” she quips. But what role is she closer to? “I’m definitely the pataka I play in Samy remake, but I am just as urbane as my character in I, Me Aur Main. I’m more of an urbane pataka, I’d say. Definitely not the docile girl I played on TV,” laughs Prachi.