Indian film actress Ileana D’Cruz is back in the recently released Happy Ending. Having worked in Telugu and Tamil cinema, the actress made her foray into Hindi cinema with 2012 blockbuster Barfi! opposite Ranbir Kapoor and alongside Priyanka Chopra. The 27-year-old actress has since worked with the likes of Shahid Kapoor and Varun Dhawan and is extremely excited about her new venture, produced by Saif Ali Khan’s Illuminati Films.
Happy Ending is directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. and also stars Govinda, Saif Ali Khan, Kalki Koechlin, Ranvir Shorey, Preity Zinta and Kareena Kapoor Khan. The much awaited rom-com is out now in UK cinemas.
Sunny Malik caught up with the stunning actress before the release of the film for a bit of a ghap shap.
How are you feeling about your upcoming film, Happy Ending?
I am extremely excited because the film is very different from the films I have done in the past. Barfi! was completely different and Main Tera Hero was a wholly commercial film with a little over the top humour. Happy Ending is very modern. If I may say so, it has very intelligent humour. It is more casual and conversational. The acting that was required of me was very different from films like Main Tera Hero. It was strange and took a little while as it was very new to me. I am excited because I loved the way the film has shaped up. Happy Ending, I think, will appeal to Indian and overseas audiences.
How did the film come about for you?
I was very excited when I was offered the film because I have loved the films Illuminati (Saif Ali Khan’s production house) has produced. They have made very slick comedies and shot them beautifully. They promote the films really well too. The music is very important to them. I was looking forward to the doing the film without knowing the story. When I heard the script, I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn’t expecting such a good role.
Tell me more about your character…
The heroine in the film is at par with the hero. It’s a very sassy role and not a typical Bollywood damsel in distress heroine. My character is an author who writes novels but doesn’t believe in them. She doesn’t believe in love or happily ever after. She is the type of girl who asks the guy just before they make out, “You aren’t going to fall in love with me, right?” There were times where I felt that I was not doing much as my character keeps a straight face a lot of times. It was a bit nerve wrecking. I am glad I waited and chose to do this film.
Saif takes a little time to open up. How was your experience interacting
with him in the beginning?
I had this stupid impression that he was going to be exactly like I have seen him in his films. That was quite stupid of me considering I am part of the film industry. I was expecting a chirpy goofy guy. He was quite normal and very polite. I kept to myself on the sets because I figured that he is reserved and doesn’t like chatting too much. Unfortunately, he took that as me being incredible formal on the sets. One day we ended up talking at one of those parties we had on the sets. He came up to me and asked me why I am so aggressive and defensive? Ironically, I became very defensive and questioned him what was wrong with him as I am not defensive at all (laughs). We had a nice conversation and we just suddenly broke the ice. We got to know each other and got comfortable. It was a very good working relationship. I find it hilarious when he gets angry even if it is for two seconds. I didn’t take him too seriously, so it was good (laughs).
He also compared you to Rani and Kajol.
I was quite shocked when he said that. I take is as a very big compliment. I don’t know if I agree with him or not. They are brilliant actresses.
Kareena Kapoor Khan, who has a cameo in the film, said that you have become
friends while filming in the US?
I didn’t have any scenes with her unfortunately but she spent some time in Detroit with us and we got to know each other. We bumped into each other during breakfast and it was a really nice atmosphere. We just chatted and she is aver normal person I love that about her. She has no hang-ups, is simple and I think, she liked the same about me. We got along really well. I don’t know if we are friends because we haven’t spent as much time together. We are definitely very fond of each other as people. She has handled herself very beautifully considering the many year she has been in the industry. I think, I was expecting a different person and was surprised that she is a such a lovely person. I can’t say we are friends but we are definitely friendly.
See our review of Happy ending here
