She’s making an entry into tinseltown with a tri-lingual, and Aradhna Gupta, the Gorakhpur born, Mumbai bred beauty, is enjoying every moment of Ram Gopal Verma’s Naanthanda.
“I’m playing the hero Sarwa’s friend. It’s a bold, diplomatic, smart, modern day character of a model aspiring to be an actor. She moves from Delhi to Mumbai and is behind several of the moves Sarwa makes in the film,” says Aradhna who shares the screen with Anaika.
Aradhna recalls how she landed the role, “It was by chance! I had gone to audition for a Puri Jagannadh film when I met RGV. He found me totally apt for Naanthanda and signed me on!”
The film is titled Satya 2 in Telugu and Hindi and Aradhna quips, “I’m really ‘special’ in the film!” Prod her on and she reveals, “You see, my character’s name is quite unusual. I’ve been named Special by RGV, because that’s how the girl is. So he decided to keep the name on screen!” Aradhna has done a rather bold beach song with some special moves, which caught people’s attention. She clarifies, “See, at the beach, you cant wear a ghagra –choli so I’ve worn swim wear. Besides, it’s a situational song, at a party, so the dance was required. There are bolder songs in films nowadays!”
So who was it working with RGV? “He’s very creative. He keeps the surprise element alive by making so many genres of cinema. He was very calm and patient with me as a newcomer. In fact, I would keep asking him for more takes even if he okayed a shot!” grins Aradhna, who used to get up at 5 am to focus on her work.
But Aradhna is quick to add that she’s not open to doing item numbers. “I want to do full fledged roles. I admire Tamil cinema for its strong emotional and realistic content. In fact, I would love to do a realistic, village character, and dress in saris and half saris !” smiles Aradhna.
She adds, “I’m quite the opposite of my screen persona in real life. I’m conservative and would think twice about wearing bold costumes in real life!”