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It is raining newcomers in Bollywood these days. Where many crave for a good start in Bollywood, Avantikka is one such lucky lass from B-town to have her career kick-start with the prolific filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani, known to have successfully launched the careers of many bigwigs like Govinda, Chunkey Pandey, late Divya Bharti, Neelem Kothari, etc. Recently we caught up with Avantikka to know about her and her experience with Pahlaj Nihalani.

Your introduction.
I hail from a Tamil Iyengar family with non-filmi background. My father is a bureaucrat. Ever since I was a kid I dreamt of being a filmmaker. For that I also did a diploma in filmmaking. My very first stint in front of camera was when I did Dabur Chyawanprash Ad film.

How did acting happen to you, since you wanted to be filmmaker? 
When I landed in Mumbai I met Rakeysh Mehra at one of the parties. There he saw me and offered me Dabur Chyawanprash Ad film. The other day when Pahlaji saw the ad, he was impressed by my work. Actually Pahlaj uncle is my dad's good friend and he had always seen me as a gawky teenager with braces. But when he saw my screen presence he was quite impressed. The next day when I met Pahlaj uncle I was a part of his project.

Did you assist in any of the films before getting into acting? 
No. I landed in Mumbai to assist in films but eventually ended up acting 

Tell us something about your role in KHUSHBOO? 
Its a beautiful role. When Pahlaj uncle offered me this role I was shocked as the kind of character I play requires a more experienced actor. I play a bubbly and vivacious girl Pinky who hails from a traditional Punjabi family. Externally she may appear modern but within she is a typical Indian girl who values life. She firmly believes in destiny. She is superstitious. Takes people on face-value. Her life takes a different turn when she falls in love with a South Indian boy and their journey after destiny brings them together is very heart-rending.

How different is Avanatikka from 'Pinky'? 
Though their personalities are similar but characteristics wise they differ. Avantikka is not as spontaneous as pinky is in taking decisions. Avavntikka is stubborn; nobody can influence her decisions unless she wants.

Your preparations for the role?
No formal training, no acting class. It was Pahlaj uncle's insistence which made me confidently sign the project.

Your experience working with Pahlaj Nihalani? 
Oh it was fabulous. Within first 5 minutes we kicked off. I love his energy levels and creativity. I learnt a lot from him. Even at this age he is enthusiastic about his work. Like, I remember one incident when we had to shoot at 4 in the morning, I and Rishi (actor) were half dead but Pahlaj uncle's boundless energy and activeness amazed us. At that time we saw his passion for films and filmmaking. He boosts off your confidence level. Not once he treated us like newcomers.

And with your Co-star Rishi 
Yes absolutely good. He is a very nice person to work with. He is a method actor. 

Share us your memorable experience on the sets?
I found the very first day of my shoot quite difficult. Both Rishi and I were slight apprehensive to start off with a difficult scene. It was one of the emotional scenes where I am supposed to scream. Initially I was nervous. But to my surprise in the very second take it was finalized

Were you ever nervous shooting any scene? 
No I never get nervous. I love being in front of the camera. But feel uncomfortable giving romantic scenes in the film. 

Pahlaj was impressed with your outlook and in-depth knowledge about cinema?
Ya that's right. In the very first meeting we discussed Hindi cinema. He was astonished to know about my film knowledge. We discussed about legendaries like Raj Kapoor, R D Burman, Shammi Kapoor, Meena Kumari, Sadhnaji, Vaijaytimalaji, etc. By this time we had a mutual admiration and we got along really well. Infact people address me as Mini encyclopedia of films.

Your idol from industry? 
I love watching Shammi Kapoor films. I find his work fantastic, very intriguing. I wish I was born during his times. I would love to work with him once. 

Are you still planning to get into direction? 
Right now I am enjoying being in front of camera. Ya if anything interesting knocks my door I might get into it. 

Lastly your future projects? 
I have signed Pahlaj's next and one film down south. I do have lot of offers but I just don't want to go blindfold. I am particular about my work and I am not ready for any mistakes.