Playing a Punjabi girl in Mubarakan was a challenge: Ileana D'Cruz

Mumbai: Ileana D'Cruz has two back to back releases this year in Anees Bazmee's 'Mubarakan' and Milan Luthria's 'Badshaaho'. The actress, who's made a mark for being a pan-Indian actress, spoke exclusively to Deccan Chronicle ahead of her upcoming releases.

How did you manage to bag a multi-starrer comic caper like Mubarakan?

I got a call from the production house saying that Anees Ji wants to meet me and I wanted to know what kind of film it was. He narrated the script to me and I found it so hilarious and I knew it that it is going to be damn funny. There is so much Punjabi element in it which is really interesting. I have always loved watching these loud and crazy Punjabi families on screen. I was super excited as something like was offered to me but at the same I was nervous that whether I will be able to pull off or not.

You have been a part of comedies of late. Is it your favourite genre?

I have not been doing many actually. Main Tera Hero was also a comedy but my role in it was not slapstick as everybody else’s and I did Happy Ending after that which was in a complete different space. Mubarakan is an entirely different kind of comedy where we all are trying to clear the confusion but end up creating it and that’s the funny element. For me, playing a Punjabi girl was a biggest challenge for me. It is a beautiful language and they are distinct people. Hopefully I have gotten that balance while playing Sweetie.

What is your role in Mubarakan?

I am playing this girl called Sweetie is getting engaged to Charan but loves his bother Karan. Since both the roles are played by Arjun Kapoor, I genuinely felt that those two where two different people.

Your films have not been working at the box office, how do you take those failures?

I don’t know what to expect or how my career is going to shape up honestly but I definitely like the way it has shaped for me. I never expected the roles I did would be offered to me. I wasn’t expecting Happy Ending to not work out and it felt bad but I think I won’t regret because anyone would have done a film like that. At the end of the day, I wanted to do something different in every film I do.

How was working with Athiya Shetty in Mubarakan?

It must have been daunting for her since we all have done more films than her in the past but she was super confident on the sets and this in a way made a lot of things easier for her. She was incredibly good in what she does and being her second film, she did a good job. I got along with her so well.

How far Anees Bazmee is different in handling the comedy genre than your other directors?

I have different equation with all my directors. When I did Phata Poster… with Rajkumar Santoshi, he is kind of old school in directing comedy. He used to keep a back of scenes with at least 15 takes. With David Ji, he is the easiest to work with. Since he has a background of an editor so knows what exactly he wants it from actors. When I used to give a shot, he just says okay at one go. With Anees Ji, he used to totally leave the scene on me and he use to say okay. I don’t think he even lose it even once on the sets, he is super chilled out.

Tell us something about Baadshaho?

It is a completely different film. I still haven’t even dubbed for it so I don’t like how it looks like but I had an amazing time shooting. I got incredibly attached to my crew. I believe, Baadshaho is a very risky film for me.