Bollywood actress Alaya F, who made a promising debut with the endearing 2020 hit ‘Jawaani Jaaneman’, had a mixed start of a career. Though her role as a fiercely independent knocked-up girl who sets out to bond with her biological father (Saif Ali Khan) in the movie was widely appreciated, there came a catch.
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Read the full story here: https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/video-bollywood-star-alaya-f-talks-ghosts-ufos-and-u-turn-her-new-paranormal-thriller-1.95387583
See more videos at https://gulfnews.com/videos
Read more Gulf News stories here: https://bit.ly/2HLJ2km
Subscribe to Gulf News on YouTube and watch more of our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/GulfNewsTV
#UAEnews #Indian #AlayaF
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NewsTranscript
00:00In the start it was a little scary for me when you know I realized that this would have to be a film that I was basically shouldering all by myself.
00:09On a script level when a film is really, really great that really excites me and I remember when I got the narration for U-Turn,
00:16I went in not really expecting anything really because it was a narration and it was a Zoom narration, it was during the time of the pandemic.
00:26So, I went a little sceptical just because it was going to be a narration that takes place on Zoom and I remember having the best time in that narration.
00:37I remember loving it start to finish, I was asking so many questions, I was so engaged, the ending also came together really well and once that narration got done, I remember calling up my team and I remember saying guys, was it just me or was that like a really good narration and everyone agreed and from that point onwards,
00:55I was like on a script level, something is so tight and when it comes out as a film, it's going to be you know just incredible. So, since then that's been my journey with it.
01:03Does it worry you that I feel this is one of the films that where all eyes are on you, no pressure but
01:09Yeah, I think in the start it was a little scary for me when you know I realized that this would have to be a film that I was basically shouldering all by myself
01:20but you know when someone like Ekta ma'am believes that you can take it on and she is such a powerful boss lady who has never let anything really come in her way, when someone like that believes that you can shoulder a project then who are you to doubt it you know so
01:34I remember of course being apprehensive just for that reason and now not anymore. You have to do it at some point and there is no better company to do it other than with her.
01:47I have been very fortunate that you know throughout my filmography everyone that I have worked with has been very, very supportive in every sense of the word.
01:57I have worked with people that have really honestly always been really kind to me, have never made me feel inferior because I was either new or because I was a woman.
02:08You know my opinion always had as much weight, I was always encouraged not only a lot of it, I was encouraged to have my opinion and put it forward and you know it's been an amazing process through my entire career so far, it's been amazing and on this film it was no different, it was just amazing.
02:26In all horror movies there is this trope of a girl doing what she shouldn't be doing, don't open that door if you don't know who that person is and scream etc.
02:34Does the movie also fall under that familiar traps and tropes perhaps?
02:38So actually in our film it's quite the opposite because she is you know investigating this case and it's through that that everything happens.
02:47So she is doing her job, she is doing her job and she is doing it well where she is you know very invested in this one case about this flyover, where people keep breaking the rules and then all these things happen to her.
03:02Rather than her going out and seeking all of these things, she is just seeking answers.
03:05So you know she is seeking answers and all these things are happening to her in the quest for her to find these answers.
03:13So it's, I don't think we fall into that trope, I am also trying to say, I am trying to go over the movie, are there any points where I do something that's like why is she doing that, no I don't think there is.
03:22It's one of those films that later on you will discuss and you will think how did that happen though and then someone will give you the explanation and you will go into a full discussion about why and how that has happened.
03:32Everything ties in eventually. So it's, that is something I really like about this film.
03:38How has Bollywood treated you so far? Do you feel with each movie you are getting better or perhaps you know the ride is just getting started?
03:45The ride is definitely just getting started. In fact, right after my film released, the world shut down. We went into a global pandemic.
03:52Yes.
03:52Immediately after my film. Basically, my film completed its run in theatres and the world shut down. It was time just that much.
04:01I know.
04:02So between my first and my second movie, there was a three year gap between the release of my first movie and my second movie.
04:11That part was very uncomfortable, very not fun. Lots of uncertainty, lots of important decisions to be made that you don't know how to make.
04:22It's been a big, big learning curve. But ever since the pandemic opened up, everything came right back on track.
04:32So that was very reassuring to me, which is why I have Jawani Janaman to thank so much for.
04:38If that movie hadn't worked for me the way it did, I don't think I would have been able to sustain
04:44basically three years of not having my face out there. I have Jawani Janaman to thank greatly
04:50for that and also social media, which also really helped in the process.
04:54Do you face that pressure as well as a young person who's completely scrutinized and often told what to do,
05:00how you look, what kind of beauty standards you must uphold, etc. Do you feel the pressure?
05:04Honestly, firstly, I make sure I don't surround myself with people that make me feel bad about
05:10myself in any way. That's an absolute no-no for me. You cannot be a part of my team or my orbit
05:15or my friend circle or just a part of my space if you're someone that doesn't know how to effectively
05:21put a point across in a productive way. Generally, overall, no. I don't face that much.
05:27Does your mom dictate your decisions perhaps or influence it? Dictate is such a strong word.
05:32No, she doesn't. So, I actually and most people are surprised when they hear this but anyone that
05:38actively works with me knows how true this statement is where my family is not involved in my
05:43career even 1%. They are as involved in my career as the general audience is involved in my career
05:49where they see my movie and they're always supportive and always loving but any decisions
05:55that are made or any opinions also, I don't even, I have a work family that I've sort of built
06:01which includes my team, the people that I'm with, my hair and makeup people. These people are my
06:07work family. These are the people I land up taking opinions from, my agent, my managers. They're the
06:12people whose opinions are taken or people I've worked with within the industry. These are the
06:18opinions I land up taking that either influence my decisions or just give me some different sort
06:24of perspective on making a more informed decision but till today no one from my family has even
06:30been on a single set of mind. You do not even just come and say hi for a day. Not a photo shoot, not
06:35a film shoot, not an ad shoot, not a no shoot whatsoever. So, they're always supportive, always
06:43loving, always kind but not involved.