People are telling me that they have been waiting for something fresh and light to watch, and they are looking forward to going and watching the movie,” Jhataleka Malhotra tells us when we dial her to talk about her film Tuesdays and Fridays. The former beauty queen makes her acting debut in this millennial love story, that also introduces actress Poonam Dhillon’s son Anmol Thakeria Dhillon.

Directed by Taranveer Singh and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Tuesdays and Fridays, that hits theatres on February 19, focuses on a couple that get into a relationship where they are only allowed to meet on, well, Tuesdays and Fridays. A chat with Jhataleka on her “delayed debut”.

Movie theatres can now operate at 100 per cent capacity, which is good news for your film. But these aren’t normal times. How does it feel to debut at a time when you aren’t sure if the audience is really ready to watch a film in a theatre yet?

Definitely we know that these are not ideal times. Ideally we would have, of course, liked to release the film in a normal world. We are still not fully out of the pandemic, but I think things are getting better and people are now more social than they were. They are also wanting to find a reason to step out of the house. Yes, the film is releasing in theatres now, but eventually it will also be out on Netflix, for people who will not get a chance to watch it in the theatres.

Honestly, I am glad that it’s releasing because we had a wait for a year on account of the pandemic. That was tormenting... to have worked on a film and having done everything that we could in our capacity to give our best, and not see it release on time. We just grabbed this opportunity when we got it because it’s been so delayed. And now also, as you mentioned, there is the fact that theatres can operate at 100 per cent capacity.

I would say that there are mixed emotions. I know that it could probably work against us, but I am also happy that it’s releasing because I don’t think the film should be more delayed than it already is.

The film comes across as fresh, young and fun. What were your primary reasons to sign on?

One big reason would be the fact that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is the producer. He’s been my dream director and though he’s not directed the film, that he’s produced it is a big thing. It’s also got a great script. I remember I started reading it, and within an hour-and-a-half, I was done with it. It was so engaging. Most importantly, my character (Sia) is very pivotal to the story, and the way Taran (director Taranveer Singh) has written the film is so beautiful and so real. I could feel every emotion because it’s something I may have done being Jhataleka.

Also, it’s got that whole rom com vibe that one has seen in films like No Strings Attached or even some favourite films of mine like Hum Tum and Salaam Namaste. I have not seen these kind of films being made for a while now. This film takes me back to that time where these kind of real, uncomplicated love stories were being made... it was all about the moments in these films.

You are, of course, not new to the world of glamour. Was acting the natural progression after being crowned the first runner-up at Miss India and your subsequent modelling career?

I always wanted to become an actor, and Miss India actually happened because of that dream of wanting to be an actor. Right up to now, everything I have done in life has been in preparation to become an actor. That included me taking a decision to stay back in India and do my college and not do my SATs and go abroad because I am not from the film industry and I knew that it would take time for my dream to materialise into reality.

I started working towards this dream from Grade 11, whether it be in terms of acting, dancing and treating it as a profession already.

And then, Miss India happened when I was 18. And that opened up quite a few doors for me. I participated in a few pageants in the middle, but that was only my path towards becoming an actor. They helped me groom myself and also provided an understanding of how to move forward.

Has the long wait for your first film to release changed your perspective and approach towards your career in any way, especially in the last few months?

The months that we have left behind have only taught me how important solitude is. When we are engaged in working every single day and meeting people all the time, you don’t really pay attention to the needs that you have within yourself. Those needs start popping up when you are sitting and doing absolutely nothing. It’s your inner self telling you, ‘This is what I need... why don’t you pay attention to it?’ This time has brought in me the importance of having silence in life occasionally.

As far as career is concerned, I had a blueprint in mind, but somehow it’s been erased at the moment. Not only the whole pandemic coming in, but also the emergence of platforms like Netflix and Amazon (Prime Video) in India, has been changing things a little. And then the last year changed it tremendously. Those were the only platforms to showcase any sort of entertainment. Now, instead of having a blueprint, it’s more about being open to newer and fresher ideas. That not only helps you grow as an actor, but also gives us a better understanding of the world that we are now entering.

I don’t think we are in the same world that we were in February 2020... it’s all changed now. We are seeing bigger actors coming on to the OTT platforms, even they are broadening their horizons. It’s a whole new way of moving forward. I am going to take it as it comes. I know that as an actor I want to do good work, whether it’s on an OTT platform or a feature film. We will see where it takes me.