Hyderabad: Arushi Nishank, who is all set to make a splash in Hindi cinema with T-Series backed Tarini has featured in the music video 'Wafa Na Raas Aayee' presented by the same banner. She is an international Kathak exponent and has performed in more than 15 countries globally over the past 18 years. A voracious proponent of environment conservation and propagator of women empowerment, the daughter of Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' is determined to carve an identity of her own.
Excerpts:
On coming on board for T-Series' latest music video 'Wafa Na Ras Aayi'
This beautiful journey that started way back when me and Bushan ji (T-Series head honcho) were talking and discussing that I should take a step forward and face the camera because for any artist this would be upgradation of the talent and that is how we come up with the idea. Then we started hunting what we should do and I have always been very clear in my head that I will be doing what I want to do and what depicts me as an artist and did not want to do anything and everything which is coming my way.
For me, coming from a classical background and listening to this reprised version of 90s chartbuster 'Wafa Na Ras Aayi' in Jubin's voice and having Himansh Kohli and Rohit Suchanti as co-stars there was no second thought about it and there was no reason I would say no to it.
On the storyline of 'Wafa Na Ras Aayi'
We all have been in this situation when the feelings are misinterpreted. You want to deliver something but it is received in some other way. So, I think the same thing happens here with our story when a free-spirited city girl visits Kashmir and hires a tourist guide who misunderstands her casual closeness as love. Towards the end, my character in the song is also upset and feeling bad that there is this sweet and innocent guy whose life gets ruined because of this girl.
On being the first female actor who will be co-producing her debut film
I've been a big time promoter and propagator of women empowerment. I always feel, 'Why we women have to beg opportunities from this male-dominated society?' So, what comes to my mind is; if you are self-sufficient then just work a little harder, push yourself a little more and create your own opportunity. That is how I fought for one and a half year for getting permission and Tarini (her debut film) rights from the Ministry of Defence while many contenders were in the league.
On not hiding her marital status for a career in Hindi cinema
I will be lying if I say that there were not people who were telling me to hide my marital status from Wikipedia and advising me to not tell anybody that I'm married and I could not understand -- 'Why?' I will give you an example. When I was shooting for 'Wafa Na Ras Aayi' that day was my wedding anniversary and my co-stars, my stylist, DOP, the T-Series team... they got me a cake you know? They were putting my husband on speaker and celebrating. I feel there are still people who think 'married ladki ko nahi lena hai' but time is changing.
I never believed that somebody will take me in their project because of my family background and that never helps. If somebody is planning to enter Bollywood then know that this industry works only on talent. Maybe a little bit of introduction can help but if you don't have talent nobody will take you. If you have got talent, you have hope and opportunity.
On nepotism in politics and paving her own path
I can not understand the word nepotism. When doctors, lawyers and actors can plan that their offspring chose the same profession as theirs then why can't a politician? They can plan it but ultimately according to our constitution, the people will choose their leaders. So, when the selection is that transparent where this nepotism comes. For me, I really don't know about politics. Yes, my father is into active politics and we really admire him for what he is doing. For me, I am always an artist first. I am doing this because I like doing it but basically, I am an artist. I don't know where it will take me. I only like to pick up difficult tasks now I have picked Bollywood which is very challenging. But, I think we all have to do this just try to move ahead on this journey of finding your own self. I think it's a never-ending journey and I'm on to it.
-- By Minal Dodia
