Eight years have passed by since the release of Rock On; and now Rock On 2 is Prachi Desai’s eight film since then. While she has enjoyed successes like Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai and Bol Bachchan in the interim period, there have also been disappointments like I, Me aur Main and Policegiri. We get chatting with the pretty actress.
Eight releases after being in the industry for eight years. What are the changes that you see in yourself over the years?
Yes, I see changes in myself. I see a change in my outlook and change in the ways I deal with things. I think self realization is the biggest change that has come in me.
Compared to your peers, you have done fewer films. Why is that so?
I think the film industry is a huge family business. That’s the way it was, that’s the way it is, and that’s the way it is going to be. Outsiders like us have to work relentlessly over and over and over again till you manage to be in the position of a Vidya Balan or Kangana Ranaut who have achieved huge acclaim, accolades and commercial success. They were fabulous to begin with as well but we are recognising and acknowledging them now. It is a constant fight. They fought it well; I am also trying it out.
Well, the common factor is talent.
With due respect to talent, it is nothing about talent actually. It is about luck and destiny. I have to keep doing my bit. It is sad if people don’t recognise your talent. You have to keep proving yourself though. I somehow believe that I have been stuck in a certain image; there is a certain perception about me which has not been my contribution. Unfortunately, I can’t do anything about it. I would love to do love stories an youth centric films. You need that one film, one chance, to make it big.
This year you have two films to your name. Azhar has released and Rock On 2 is round the corner.
Yes, these two films are drastically different. In Azhar, I was this Muslim girl from a conservative family in Hyderabad. On the other hand, Rock On was a film which was ahead of its time and now the sequel is special as well. It is one of those rare stories which is based on rock music; something that has not been explored before. Rock On brought rock culture to some extent in this country and now Rock On 2 will make it all the more special. Hopefully, audience would see my versatility in the film as well.
How is Rock On 2 different from the original?
Rock on 2 is nothing like a conventional sequel. It is really going to surprise you. It is an unexpected story. The narrative is bound to glue you to the screen. In its essence and spirit though, the film stays true to the first part. This time around it is even nicer since we have explored Shillong as the film’s setting. That brings in another dimension to the story. People will really enjoy the camaraderie that we all share in the film.
There must be a bond since Farhan Akhtar and you debuted as film actors with Rock On.
Absolutely, for Farhan and me it was a debut film. It was so beautiful to be coming together. In real life too we all got along so well, so it was like a house on fire when we reunited for the sequel’s shoot. It was also pretty freaky how each and every person out there -- Farhan, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli or Shahana Goswami -- had lived his/her part before. On screen, you can’t make out if we are bonding as characters or real-life friends.