She is to the 60-second advert born.
She says, "I've been part of jingles for almost every promo under the sun!"
Kim Sharma has fastforwarded her dreams as she debuts with Yash Chopra's Mohabbatein.
She is five feet five inches, with long dark brown hair framing an oval face, a small upturned nose and doe-shaped eyes. Kim thinks that her girl-next-door look is appealing.
But she also admits, "I have a basic face which can be worked on. For an actress, that is important -- to be able to essay different roles with ease."
Currently in the hot seat in a Yash Chopra film and directed by Aditya Chopra himself, Kim speaks to
Nidhi Taparia about life before, during and after Mohabbatein:
I didn't want to act in films. I did receive offers earlier which I had declined.
In fact, when I first got a call from their (Yash Chopra's office), I said no. I thought someone was playing a prank on me.
Only after they called a few more times did I realise they were genuinely interested. So I decided to give a screen test.
Besides, there was a lull in my advertising assignments. I was kinda bored with what I was doing then. So it seemed like a great opportunity!" And it was.
What I like best about Adi is that he is a focused director.
He knows exactly what he wants and he will not change his mind about it. Not even God can get him to change his mind!
We went through ten days of Barry John's diction classes and dance rehearsals when we started.
With three girls in the film, we also had to work very hard on the costumes with Manish Malhotra.
And we had umpteen photoshoots. There were little tests which Adi would keep taking. And, by the time we had finished rehearsing, even if someone would wake me up in my sleep and say, "Do this step," I'd do it.
Adi inspires me, from behind the camera to give my best. He won't be satisfied with less than the best. Even when you are tired, distracted, worn-out, and all you want to do is go home, Adi will push you to excel.
He just does not announce pack-up until you have given everything of yourself to that shot.
No, he is not a taskmaster. In fact, he is very encouraging, especially if you are fumbling or not getting something right. He is very patient and he knows how to extract a good performance out of you.
Similarly with Farah Khan. Many people warned us that she could make your life miserable or that she is a tough taskmaster. But she was great fun. Very accommodating. She would try and help as much as possible. She even modified a few steps if you didn't get it right.
We (the girls) only had the dance sequences with Shah Rukh and Amitabh Bachchan. They were very nice people. Very humble. And, after a while, you forgot that they were the dons of the film industry!
Jugal is my costar in the film. A very good actor, we shared a great rapport professionally. We helped each other with scenes, got our timing right for dialogues and the works. But after a while, once the camera starts rolling, you forget who you are. You just let the character take over.
I want my audience to walk out of the theatre feeling that it was money well spent. I think that will happen with Sanjana.
She is an absolutely loveable character. Very normal. Very real. Every young girl in love will identify with her. She is Jugal's best friend and then she falls in love with him. Men might not pant after her but they will definitely like her a lot!
I dubbed for myself. I think I have put in a decent performance. Though there are scenes where I say, "Ah, maybe I could have played it better." But then just knowing that is proof enough that you have grown as an actor.
I am too excited to comment about how the film will fare at the BO. Though many haven't liked its music, I think it grows on you. And I have great hopes about it.
You know, after I signed on for the film, Adi would run these little test scenes to get us into the groove. I performed this scene from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, where Kajol tells her mother she has fallen in love with Shah Rukh.
When I finished, he just stood up and clapped. I walked on air all day that day!
And when the first promos of Mohabbatein came out, the world and its uncle called me. I was very excited; sat in front of the TV all day. But I didn't see the promos. I was very irritated.
Now, with the launch so close, I am very excited and nervous.
I am sure it will all work out. I even have my mom strutting all over town telling all and sundry that her daughter is debuting in a Yash Chopra film!
