Gayatri’s mantra

From missing the Miss India crown by a whisker to getting a dream start in Bollywood, it’s been a remarkable journey for Gayatri Joshi. 
Avinash Kalla talks to the Swades girl, who wants to get noticed by her work. 

This winner of the Hero Honda Screen award for the best debut actor makes no effort to hide her excitement as she sports a smile from ear to ear. Recognition from the industry, a Bollywood superstar as her first co-star and a celebrated director to guide her, what could a debutant actress ask for?

"Nothing more," tells Gayatri Joshi, Gita of Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Swades. As the film is receiving mixed reviews, the actress says "I am happy and extremely proud to be a part of this film. It’s the best break that I could have got. It was a wonderful experience."

Playing the village school teacher wasn’t a big task explains this model-turned-actress, who had already done a few ad films and anchoring assignments. "Ashutosh gave me six months during which we worked out the looks and mannerisms of Gita. Once the shooting started, Ashutosh handled me so well that I had no problems."

Gayatri’s eyes light up with joy when you as she speaks of Shah Rukh Khan. "I had a wonderful comfort level with him as we have earlier done an ad film together. He didn’t let me feel that I was a newcomer." Brushing off the assertion that Shah Rukh’s co-stars are overshadowed by him, she maintains: "I don’t think that is true, I got my deal in the film and so did everyone else."

Enjoying her new-found fame, this lady is ready to take negative feedback. "I have been lucky that there aren’t many negative feedbacks but I am ready to hear them so that I can better myself."

This Maharastrian beauty is in no mood to quit modelling. "I’ll be back facing the camera soon for some assignments."

On her forthcoming projects, she says, "There should be a good banner, good director, co-star and a script that excites me." In that order? A smile appears on her face as she says, "That way it would be Director first as he is the person with the vision, then comes the script, banner and the co-star. I am here to get noticed by my work."

"I have got a dream start but there is still a lot to be done," gushingly adds Gayatri.

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