Aditi Rao Hydari has a special connect with the Bachchan family

Aditi Rao, who began her career in 2008 in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi 6, has definitely come a long way and is now working with the likes of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Mani Ratnam. She is also playing a title role in Omung Kumar’s film Bhoomi. The actress feels blessed for the career upswing, and has not forgotten the kindness shown to her by the Bachchan family when she was just starting out. She shares, “Amitabh Bachchan has always spoken well of me, even though he doesn’t really have to, and so has Jayaji. Abhishek has also been so sweet to me. I remember feeling lost at the premiere of Delhi 6 when Abhishek reached out and made me feel comfortable. Amitabhji also whispered to me ‘really great things are going to happen to you.’ I was thrilled and baffled when he said that because I has such a small part in the film! He and Jayaji have continued to support me since.”

In fact, Aditi got her role in Padmavati on Jaya’s recommendation. “I am aware of that,” sighs Aditi. “Such gestures are not easy to forget. And one shouldn’t forget them.” It’s gestures like these that make Aditi laugh at the notion that outsiders can’t get into Bollywood easily. “I think we should ban the word ‘outsider’ in our entertainment industry. Everyone is welcome. Nobody is an outsider.”

She admits to being choosy at the moment with her work.“Work is my only passion. I’ve no personal life. It’s just the studios and my home, and no digressions. I want to do films that are timeless, like Kagaz Ke Phool.”