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Payal Rohatgi’s journey into Bollywood was anything but usual. In this exclusive 2007 flashback interview with Lehren, she reveals the unknown story of how a bet with her school friends pushed her into modelling and eventually brought her fame in Bollywood. Payal candidly talks about her early days in the industry, expressing regret over her styling in 36 China Town and how she corrected her mistakes with Dhol (2007) and other projects. She also shares memories of working in advertisements with renowned filmmakers like Pradeep Sarkar, Priyadarshan and more. Catch these rare and honest insights straight from Payal Rohatgi, only on Lehren. #payalrohatgi #interview #podcast #36chinatown #dhol #priyadarshan #pradeepsarkar #lehren #lehrenretro #sangramsingh

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People
Transcript
00:00I am a computer engineer, I come from a middle class family where I have been brought up
00:10in Ahmedabad, so obviously never grew up that I am going to come to Bollywood, so probably
00:16my earlier films reflected those decisions, but I was a part of Femina Miss India in the
00:22year 2000, which is why I came to Bombay first and once I came to Bombay, I started modeling
00:28commercials, like Cadbury Temptation, Daba Ramla, which was with Priyan Sir, 4 years ago, and
00:36after that, I got my first film, Harry Bavija Banner, and after that, it started in Bollywood.
00:43I have a dream that I am a doctor or engineer, and I have a dream that I am a actress or a doctor?
00:50No, see, as I have said, I am a qualified engineer, so my mom is a teacher, dad engineer, brother
00:57engineer, so I had, I have, was all on the lines to become an engineer, which I did also,
01:02but when I was part of Femina, I came to Bombay for the first time, and there was some
01:08difference in our friends' friends behind our school, that if you are part in college,
01:12you are part in fashion shows, and you are winning, so why don't you part in Femina Miss India?
01:16So, when someone said that this could not be possible, then I try and I pray to God,
01:21that Bhagavan Ji, let me show you this with me, and that's why I am the actress's line,
01:29that also came to my life, because engineering was being done and finished, and like you said,
01:37I am a qualified engineer, so my mom obviously wanted to take an engineering profession,
01:41to take an engineering profession, but now they are proud that Bhayal, you know,
01:44established in your own industry, in Bollywood, in your own industry.
01:47First of all, about 36 Chinatown, it was a good fire,
01:50so what do you want to be an expert?
01:53In fact, I thank Abaz Mastan Sir, because there was a time when I had a break in my image,
02:01and it was possible when senior actors or senior directors could give me a break,
02:07and that happened in 36 Chinatown. In 36 Chinatown, it was a good fire in 36 Chinatown,
02:11but I think I went a little wrong with my makeup, hair, clothes, because,
02:15as I have told you, I was from Ahmedabad, so I had never had a grooming right,
02:20so I had never had a good job, so I had never had a good job.
02:23So, but when they were the director of Gracie, I think people liked it,
02:31and after that, at least it started, it started, it started, it started, it started,
02:34it started, it started, it started, it started, it started, it started,
02:36So, what do you want to go first? Amitabh, what do you want to go first?
02:39What do you want to go first? What do you want to go first?
02:42As I told you, after signing 36 Chinatown, I was very selective,
02:47because I realized how important my director is,
02:51and how important my set-ups are, and how important my placements,
02:54and how important I grow as an actress.
02:56When I was going through this transition, Pradeep Sarkar,
03:00or Dad, I gave an ad.
03:02There were two, in fact, ads with them,
03:04one was Virendra Seva, and one was Amitabh Ji.
03:07And they were both good ads,
03:10but their TRPs didn't have so much, so I think people didn't know that.
03:14But I got the opportunity to work with Big B,
03:17and as you all know, he is one of the most human,
03:21most humble, modest superstar we have.
03:24And they obviously had a very comfortable feeling.
03:28In fact, they remembered that I was going to take a home.
03:31So, they asked me,
03:33Pradeep, you took a home,
03:34you did not do your interiors until now?
03:37And I said, no sir,
03:39now I have only spent the amount of money in the house.
03:42Now, I will spend more money for the interiors.
03:45So, this shows that he is such a person of such great memory.
03:49He also remembers them.
03:51And I am happy that I worked with them in such a,
03:56like, you know, in the earlier process of my transition.
03:59And that's what I had done with Pradeep Sarkar.
04:03First of all, we are talking about corporate.
04:05In this movie, it was such a big business,
04:07but you were singing and singing.
04:09That's a big part of it.
04:10Yes.
04:11So, in my mind, there is a song and performance.
04:14What would you prepare for this song?
04:17In fact, after that song, I realized that,
04:20because that song shooting was in one day,
04:23I realized that as an actress,
04:25it is very necessary to become a good dancer.
04:28And after that song, I started the song.
04:32And today, I am learning Jaipur Gana Khatak with Deepak Senji.
04:38So, again, I am very grateful that Madhur sir
04:41has given me that song at that time.
04:43Because I never do shows before it.
04:46I started to do shows after that song.
04:49And in the last one year, I have been traveling
04:51all over India for shows.
04:53And now, in fact, I signed up with ICI Deluxe Paint Brand.
04:59Where I am going to perform the song with 36 pictures,
05:01and the corporate track, which was my O2 track.
05:03I am going to perform on it.
05:06So, technically, because of that song,
05:09my brand has become clear.
05:11Because in Bollywood, song and dance are very important.
05:14And they help to make the actress's recognition.
05:17So, again, I think a right film happened at that time.
05:20And now, Dhol is happening.
05:22Yeah, Pail.
05:23How Dhol happened to you?
05:24What has it worked?
05:26As I said, I was going to do two seasons.
05:29So, obviously, my director was the one who I wanted to work with.
05:35And Priyan sir was, I think, topping the list.
05:37So, I got Priyan sir in Bhaagambaak sets.
05:40And I said, sir, I have to work with you.
05:43So, Pail, Bhaagambaak shooting is done.
05:46But I'm obviously starting a picture, where I will give you a good role.
05:51Because sir knew that I was transitioning.
05:53With a glamorous image, I needed to establish an acting,
05:56an actress's establishment.
06:00And after two months, I got a call from Percept,
06:03who is our producer.
06:04They were my producers for corporate also.
06:07So, they said that Priyan sir is starting this film.
06:09And there is this very nice role and song and everything.
06:13You will do it.
06:13I said, obviously, we will do it.
06:15Because I think I've been waiting for this phone call.
06:18And in that way, I got Dhol.
06:20And Dhol's shooting, after a week, we went to Pune,
06:23where our film was shooting.
06:25What role do you want to go?
06:28Our director is a singer, a performer.
06:31And who plays in the club.
06:34But, as I said before,
06:36I had mistakes in my pictures,
06:38about makeup, makeup and makeup.
06:40He is very sorted in this picture.
06:42If you see promos, Sir was also very particular.
06:45And who has female leads.
06:47They will keep in the film as much as it is natural.
06:50And at that point, I feel that I have solved the area.
06:55But regarding acting, regarding my dance,
07:00you will see a picture.
07:01And after that, I will know.
07:02I can't say anything about that.
07:04But it's a good role,
07:05with a glamorous image.
07:07Sir has given me good scenes.
07:09And I'm very thankful.
07:11Because I think only a powerful and such a senior director,
07:15like Priyadashan Sir,
07:16an actor who has a transition.
07:18Because you understand,
07:19I'm in a very delicate stage.
07:20So in this stage, I need a powerful director,
07:23who can give me a good break.
07:25Otherwise, that was just repeated work.
07:28And for that, thank you, Sir.
07:30Thank you, Priyadashan Sir.
07:31Because, this film really matters a lot to my career.
07:36First of all, there are multi-star movies,
07:38and a lot of comedy.
07:40What kind of experience with Tushar and all?
07:44In fact, it's very good.
07:46I just met Tushar and Sharman again.
07:49Our publicity campaign, Percept get through.
07:53And, you know, they're very encouraging,
07:55because they know that I'm transitioning.
07:57And obviously, they've done better films with me,
08:01and successful films with me.
08:05But I think, everybody touched on it.
08:11It was really nice.
08:12Because, I knew that I was very nervous.
08:14I used to want that I'm perfect in a shot.
08:17I'm doing a good job.
08:18Because, when you get a picture after 8 months,
08:21which is what you want.
08:22And, in that, your role is what you want.
08:25So, you know, you want to give that extra bit.
08:29So, even Tannushree, she was the leading lady of the film.
08:32Everything was like, touch wood.
08:33Nice.
08:34So, I'm happy that this film happened.
08:42And, on OH95.
08:44So, I've seen it on there.
08:45I've seen it on Earth in the film.
08:47There's something that, you know,
08:49scary and big jump on and it's like that.
08:52So, I'm happy and, even if you're missing this film,
08:53there's something that has to be drawn.
08:54That's very important.
08:55Fantastic.
08:56That's very good.
08:57Still, I've seen it, I know.
08:59I've seen it.
09:00I've seen it, I've seen it on there.
09:01And, you know.
09:02I've seen it on Earth,
09:03and it's like that.
09:04I've seen it on Earth in the world.
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