Meet the new kid in tinseltown

This week, Bollywood will see another new kid on the block. Ntasha Bhardwaj will make her debut as a leading lady in Aamras, directed by Rupali Guha, daughter of noted filmmaker Basu Chatterjee.

The Delhi-based young actress was earlier seen in a small role in Yash Raj Films' Bachna Ae Haseeno.

Ntasha talks to Patcy N about her filmi dreams and aspirations, and how easy it was for her to bag her Hindi films.

Tell us about yourself.

I shifted to Mumbai five years ago, and did my graduation in St Xaviers' College. I'm doing my Masters degree in Social Work right now. Later, I intend to study Criminology. My parents are not related to the film industry in any way. My mother is a fashion designer for children and my father has retired from service.

How did you become an actress?

I attended Anupam Kher's workshop in Actor Prepares for 25 days. I used to do commercials in college like Kit Kat, Dabur, Tropicana and UTV Bindass. I was interested in acting ever since I was a child and would take part in school plays. I took part in college plays too.

After seeing my of my ads, I got a call from Yash Raj Films to audition for a film. I did not know what I was auditioning for. But a month later, I got a call from them that I had bagged the role. I was required to go abroad for a month for the film shoot, and that was more exciting for me than working for the banner!

Did you get any offers after Bachna Ae Haseena?

I got a couple of roles where I had to play a friend or a sister. I did not take those up, as I had got Aamras by then. I thought that if I was getting lead roles at the age of 20, why should I do friend and sister kind of roles?

How did you get Aamras?

The casting director of Bachna Ae Haseeno, Abhimanyu Ray, told me that Rupali Guha was directing a film and was looking for someone to play a school girl. Even though I'm 20, I look very young. So I auditioned for Aamras and got that film.

What is Aamras about?

It is a story of four school girls. They are very close to each other but due to some boy trouble, they split up. What happens after that is what the film is about.

I play Pari Sehgal, a snooty rich brat, full of herself. My parents sideline me so I am very close to my friends. But the group disintegrates because of me.

What was working with Rupali like?

She is very understanding. She treated us like her daughters. She was very prepared and knew exactly what she wanted. Now she has become a good friend.

With so many young girls on the sets, was working fun?

Yes. Most of the movie is shot in Panchgani, so we would eat strawberry and cream everyday even though we were not allowed to. We felt like stars because we were treated very royally.

I play a rich girl in the film so I had a huge fancy house with a swimming pool. I don't know to drive a car but I got my chance here.

I have a love track in the film, so I get to kiss a boy. I got to do it all in my very first film as heroine.

I was giving my college final exams, so I had to travel up and down. 

Any tough scenes?

I had to cry in one scene. Crying is very difficult for me. I had to bring back a few memories, which were nerve-wracking. But this was the only crying scene in the otherwise fun film. 

I did a good enough job so it's also my favourite scene. There's another favourite scene when a boy tries to hit on me and even though I like him, I pretend as though I don't care for him.