BHARATI PAWASKAR
While Diana Penty’s film career began overnight with Cocktail in 2012 when she experienced a sudden transition from two different fields - she admits she had no time to think and that was the best non-decision of her life. “When you are a model there’s freedom, but as an actor you don’t have that much freedom. But the modelling experience has made me more confident and I am enjoying my film career as well. That was a jump in the pool for me, as I had no experience of acting at all. It was not my dream. In fact I did not even think of becoming a model. I was studious type girl who was interested in doing masters in marketing. But I did modelling as a part-time and this plunge into films was totally unplanned,” shares Diana who believes in living a day at a time.
Yaariyan fame actress Rakul Preet Singh’s story is a similar one, except for the fact that she wanted to be an actor but didn’t know how to be one. She got her pictures clicked two days after she turned 18 and got an offer from the South. “I gave the audition and after two-three months they called me again and I did the film. That was my brush with acting. I really enjoyed that. But then I finished my studies and participated in Miss India when I was in the final year. Films happened after that,” states Rakul, admitting that it was an amazing journey which teaches you a lot at every step. Having had an army background, she didn’t know of Mumbai but when she started living there, she was lucky to find good people.
How much acting is required in acting and while walking on the ramp? Both answered similarly - while Diana said one needs a straight face while walking on the ramp as it’s the outfit that has to be showcased, Rakul feels that both professions are different in terms of expectations. “One has to deal with the media in modelling which gives you confidence to face people. How you put that to use in your life (including acting) is your skill,” says Rakul who is a fitness lover and owns three gyms. “I love working out and feel so rejuvenated. Whether I am in stress or joy, I like to sweat it out,” she exclaims.
Diana who is passionate about modelling, had said no to films initially when she was busy in her modelling career in New York and was enjoying that. But after she signed Cocktail, her life changed overnight. “With no formal training, no background of acting and no support in the film industry, all I did was a bunch of workshops in dance, diction, language etc for six months and was prepared for the industry,” admits Diana.
“An outdoor person in school, I never acted in plays and had to figure out the journey myself. Yaariyan was my first movie and they put me through some workshops to get into the skin of the character. After that I did some 15 Telugu films before I got De De Pyar De with Ajay Devgan for which I had to do some dance classes,” recalls Rakul who enjoys the process. For her it’s not struggle but a learning process and one should take it as it comes.
Both the talented model-turned actresses admit that there are challenges in both - ramp as well as screen. Diana feels, “It is difficult to break in the film industry. One must keep pursuing until someone takes notice of your work. And if you have talent, you will last or you’ll be lost. It’s important to be in touch with the reality and not to be delusional. Being confident eventually, pays.”
