Mumbai sees a lot of youngsters, wanting to become actors, coming from nooks and corners of our country and sometimes from foreign countries too, to this dream city to knock on the film industry’s door. The glamour and fame offered by this film industry lures all these people. A young girl hailing from Lucknow has reached Mumbai to further her career in acting. She is Pooja Tiwari. This good looking young damsel has experience in the field because back home in Lucknow, she did a few films and honed her acting chops so that she doesn’t have to face problems facing camera when called by any major production house. Pooja is a singer too and has cut an album but at the moment she wants to concentrate on acting. Pooja Tiwari spoke to our Sr Editor Keerti Kadam and poured her heart out. Excerpts.
Why did you choose acting as a profession?
Passion. I am extremely passionate about acting. I feel happy when I am performing. In fact, since school days I wanted to become an actor. I sing well and during school programmes I used to sing. I received encouragement and motivation from my teachers and when I used to watch singing reality shows like Indian Idol, I thought why not try to be on screen? I have a pleasant voice and an impressive persona. My principal advised me to choose acting as a profession because he thought that I had everything, looks included, to be an actor. He encouraged me to pursue acting and I used to be part of the school, college plays. Also when I met a few film makers they too complimented my looks and advised me to try my luck in acting. That elevated my confidence and here I am in Mumbai. Professionally I am doing well with a few acting assignments and fashion shows and a few other things.
Tell us about your first break….
I started out with a ‘second lead’. It was a regional film and I did my own songs too. It was well appreciated and that boosted my confidence. I have been part of films like ‘Race’, ‘Darling’, ‘Disha Ek Prem Katha’, ‘Peon’, ‘Sajni’. I was the lead character in my last three films along with Aditya Ojha who was in a television serial ‘Namak Issk Ka’. This was my journey in Lucknow. Then to do bigger projects I decided to come to Mumbai. When I came to Mumbai I participated in events and ramp shows. I became ‘Miss Mumbai’ at the Global India beauty contest. Currently I’m doing good with print shoots, events and ramp walks. So far it’s been great and I’m looking forward to do a big budget Hindi film.
You’re fond of singing then why did you sideline singing?
I have not sidelined it. But definitely it is on a back burner. I do try to find time to do ‘Riyaz’. But hectic shoot schedules and late nights makes it a bit difficult. I already have recorded a song ‘Tera Mujhse Ye Milna Zaroori Tha Lekin’, which I have composed and written the lyrics for. I produced it also. It’s a good song but the response to it was not up to my expectations. So now I am trying to focus on acting as I know I can always go back to singing anytime I want to. But I shall be back to singing, soon.
You hail from a smaller place. When you wanted to join film line, how was the reaction of your parents?
Now my family supports me totally and that is why I stay in Mumbai alone. But initially it was difficult to convince them, especially my father. My father is an IPS officer. He is posted in the CBI. He was skeptical about me joining this field because there are a lot negative stories doing rounds all the time. He being in the CBI, knows quite a few things about the film industry and film people. But my mother was very supportive. She is my backbone. For that matter all the mothers support their children in fulfilling their dreams. She was the one who convinced my father and he relented and I could follow my dream.
Talking about film industry, most of the people follow films and film personalities. Whatever happens in their lives or behind the scenes becomes public. So the negativity surrounding them is open for all and people make perceptions about them. In my opinion every field has it’s drawbacks. Things do not come in open because people are not interested in them. That doesn’t mean bad things don’t take place in say, politics, offices, corporate set-ups, shops, malls, medical field etc. There’s rubbish and trash everywhere even in something which is not seen and spoken about. And the film industry, since it comes into the open, it sounds disgraceful. “Hum sharab peene wale logon ke saath baithenge toh kya hum sharabi ho jayenge”? ‘Hum jaise hai hamare saath waise hi hone wala hai.’ So I believe in myself and my destiny. No one can force me to do what I do not want to do.
But there’s something called ‘Casting Couch’. Did you experience anything?
Like I said earlier, there are good people and bad people in every profession. Due to a few bad people you can not paint the entire profession black. Likewise, the film industry too has such characters and I came across a few of them. But I do not want to talk about it for the reason that it will be free publicity for them. I know how to take care of myself and I stand my ground if untoward demands are made. These things do not deter me or make me nervous to walk on the straight path. Moreover I have a strong ‘family backing’ which makes me feel safe.
This exactly must be the reason behind my family opposing my entering films. I’m a Tiwari and the first one from my family to enter into acting. No one had a first hand experience about this field. And I being a girl too must be making them doubtful. But now the food, clothing, shelter etc is provided by them to make my stay in Mumbai comfortable. Now it is my responsibility to put in hard work. I am giving my 100% in whatever I am doing. Because for girls, the time span is limited and I want to keep working hard to achieve my goal sooner.
Do you do any special things to hone your skill?
I watch films from different languages and learn from them. Priyanka Chopra is my favourite actress. I try and imitate and act like her. I watch all genres of films, web series as I imagine myself in some of those characters. My preffered choice is suspense films. Films like Badlapur, Murder I’ve utmost interest in them.
Have you been trained to be an actor?
The most I’ve gained experience is from my college skits. Showing up on the stage where more than a dozen eyeballs are gaping at you. I’ve never had stage fear and I’ve always been in the forefront. But yes, I did an acting course for about 4-5 months and learnt and practised the nuances of acting.
What is delightful to you about acting? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
I adore murder mysteries. I like to watch crime stories. I feel that I can ably play characters in crime stories. I also love comedies. Though making people laugh is difficult I am keen on exploring that side of me on screen. Frankly I’m up for all genres as long as the story and my character is exhilarating.
There are ups and down in life. How do you deal with a bad day?
On meeting negative and dissimilar minded people I feel low. Nasty things said about me affect me but I’ve started neglecting them now. As they will just say and pass by. I cannot respond to each of them. I’ve a destination to reach. I try to stay positive, in any situation.
What has been your secret of physical and mental fitness?
Talking about physical fitness, apart from going to a gym, I avoid eating junk food. I drink adequate amount of water. I sleep well. I train my body and I keep moving. During the shoots, it gets difficult to manage my daily routine as the shoot times vary. However I manage something closer to my routine which is then not harmful. For mental fitness I stay away from toxic people and their talking. I feel blessed to have a good sight on seeing someone’s growth. I learn from it and don’t feel jealous.
You’re favourite actor and Director?
My all time favourite is Akshay Kumar. I just adore him. And I want to be a heroine of Yash Raj Productions.
