Be it her latest series "Made in Heaven" or the "Ponniyin Selvan" films, actor Sobhita Dhulipala says she has always tried to make the best of the opportunities that came her way.
Dhulipala, who made her film debut with Anurag Kashyap's "Raman Raghav 2.0" in 2016, recently reprised her breakout role of the wedding planner Tara in the second season of the Prime Video series "Made in Heaven".
"I didn't think that I will do whatever comes my way just because I want to be visible or I just want to have work. Having said that, my choices were driven by the opportunities that I have. I could make choices from the opportunities that were accessible to me.
"If I sit back and say that I want to do a certain kind of a film… Like, I would love to do a Karan Johar or Farah Khan film. If that opportunity has not naturally happened at that time, I'll have to figure out what I can do from the opportunities that I can find and choose from and give my 100 per cent," the 31-year-old actor told PTI in an interview here.
In her last film appearance, Dhulipala played Vaanathi opposite Jayam Ravi in "Ponniyin Selvan I and II", directed by Mani Ratnam.
The actor is appreciative of "talented directors" like Ratnam and Zoya Akhtar for giving her distinctive roles in "Ponniyin Selvan" movies and "Made in Heaven", respectively.
"I would wonder why Zoya Akhtar, who is commercially successful, would offer me the lead in a show but she took a chance. Mani sir also took a chance by giving me the role in 'Ponniyin Selvan'.
"She (Vaanathi) is very different from Tara and I've shot them side-by-side. These talented directors have taken that chance and I hope that streaks continue because I want to do amazing work," she added.
Speaking of "Made in Heaven 2", the former Miss India Earth said playing a layered character like Tara was natural.
"I don't know if Tara as a character is likeable. She is admirable, people like her grit, work ethic, and her hustle. Many things about her are special as she is non-judgemental, sensitive.
"It (the role) is similar to a real-life person, who is not all good or bad. It was amazing to have this opportunity. Playing a character with this variation feels more natural than playing a part that is sweet or a daayan (witch)." The praise coming from the audience makes her feel motivated, she said.
"In the past three years a lot of the stuff that I did, most of it has come this year. I feel grounded that I'm making choices that people are connecting with. It makes me feel that I'm on the right path and I'm doing stuff that people also feel for." Dhulipala, whose credits also include Telugu film "Goodachari", Malayalam films "Moothon" and "Kurup", and Hindi series "The Night Manager", said it has been a "meaningful ride" for her in the industry.
"Accessible means you need to find opportunities. They (makers) should look out for an actor, it is a casting thing. What I can do from my end is either have a showcase of my work and hope that people watch it or I can give an audition. These are the options available. That has been a journey..." The actor recently expressed her wish to be a part of "Don 3", which stars Ranveer Singh in the iconic role.
In the remake version of the Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman-starrer 1978 film of the same name, Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas played the lead roles of Don and Roma in the two installments, which were released in 2006 and 2011.
Asked about "Don 3", Dhulipala said she would love to audition for the forthcoming movie, to be directed by Farhan Akhtar.
"I would be thrilled to (be part of 'Don 3'). After 'Made in Heaven 2' came out, there were so many people who were like, 'Tara is feisty' and 'Tara's energy is like Roma's vibe'. So, that comparison was flattering, I love the films. Priyanka was amazing as Roma. Just the prospect that people thought this was a well-suited thing was amazing. I would love to audition for it ('Don 3')," she added.
Next on the actor's wish list is an action film and a light-hearted movie.
"I would love to do films that are different from the work I've done recently. I'm on the lookout for that. I would love to do action, a film with dance... Comedy would be so unexpected from me.
"Stuff like that which can really take people by surprise, that according to me is a beautiful career. I would like to have a career full of unexpected highs and lows. I would enjoy that and it would be meaningful. So, I'm in that khoj (quest). I want a song of a career, in which there is everything," she said.
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