Kiara Alia Advani maybe new to Bollywood but she has already managed to get two of the top directors off her bucket list which includes Neeraj Pandey and Abbas-Mastan. Unfazed by current hassle of nepotism and camps in Bollywood, Kiara has managed to make her way through all on her own.
During an interview, Kiara openly discussed her leading role in ‘Machine’, her relationship status and her friendship with SakshiDhoni. She also revealed that she wants to work with Salman Khan.
The interviewer asked since ‘Machine‘ is Mustafa’s launch vehicle in Bollywood, was she apprehensive about getting eclipsed by him?
She responded, “You are in for a powerful role when you are an Abbas-Mastan heroine. They present you beautifully and the actress does not just sing and dance, but also has a performance-oriented role. So, I was confident about this project. Abbas-Mastan featured on my bucket list of directors. They are the most humble people I have met. In fact, I was more pampered than Mustafa on the set. Interestingly, he would address them as ‘Sir’ despite being family. If he is a grounded person, it’s because of his upbringing.”
Kiara surprised the fans when she revealed that she is a food lover just like others and that she bonded with Mustafa on set over food. “He was reserved in the beginning, but we broke the ice over food during an outdoor schedule in Georgia. We love the same kind of food. We would have lunch and dinner together, which helped us bond. There were things he did which were cute like waiting for me after pack-up, as he knew I would be hungry, too. While doing the most intense scenes, I would ask him his lunch plans. We would be mostly talking about food and have long conversations during our meals,” she stated.
Things got heated up when Kiara was questioned if Mustafa was a good boyfriend material. She chose to be very straight forward and blunt as she commented, “You are putting these words in my mouth! I think he is a great friend. Besides, I’d rather be known for my work than my relationship status. I enjoy what I do. I consider myself lucky to have the space to do what I love. It has been a dream to be an actor and here I am! My first film taught me the need to have patience. Of course, there are times when it’s tough. I have managed to come so far on my own. I don’t go to parties. I am socially awkward. At the end of the day, recommendations are fine up to a point. Beyond that, it’s just your talent.”
The interviewer asked her if after delivering a commendable performance in ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’, did she feel more pressure while being paired opposite a newcomer in Machine? In response, she added, “A film is not about just one or two actors; there are over 200 people working on one project. Everyone celebrates if it does well, and if it does badly, everyone is affected. It’s easy to diss a film, but no one knows how much hard work, time, sweat and blood goes into making it. So, there’s equal pressure on all of us. I hope to meet the audience’s expectations and will try to push the envelope. For now, I am happy that I lived up to Abbas-Mastan’s expectations.”
Kiara was asked about her choice, whether she feels that she has made the right choice in her career and she asserted that she has never been more satisfied in her life. “Absolutely! I have been instinctive when it comes to picking films or characters. I never look at it as a right career move. I can’t be calculative. ‘Machine’ is the most satisfying choice I have made,” she remarked.
She was asked to share how much her life has changed after Dhoni’s biopic, to which she revealed, “Even today, people call me Sakshi. Being known as the character off screen is the best thing for an actor. That means she has made that kind of an impact. I remember how everyone was looking forward to the film as it revolved around one of our most celebrated cricketers, and I was playing his wife. I knew the film would do well, but I had never imagined I would get so much love and appreciation. I also got to know M S Dhoni and Sakshi up close and personal. While prepping for my character, Sakshi told me to talk to her like a friend and not just observe her. Today, I can call her my friend.”
Since Salman Khan is Kiara’s mentor, fans have been curious if the two of them ever plan to work together. She was asked by the interviewer if they are planning on sharing the big screen. “It’s great to know someone with so much experience, especially when you are new and finding your feet. He answers my calls instantly. He is honest, has always told me to work hard and let my work do the talking. I hope he decides to work with me some day, because I haven’t had the guts to tell him that I want to work with him,” she said.