I’d like to do a song like Chikni Chameli, says Esha Gupta

Former beauty queen Esha Gupta started her Bollywood innings with Jannat 2 in 2012 alongside Emraan Hashmi. The actress garnered overnight stardom and did two big films the same year — Raaz 3D and Chakravyuh. Later, her career slowed down and her subsequent films turned out to be duds at the box office. With two big ventures in 2017 — Baadshaho and Commando 2 — the actress seems ready to make a comeback. In a candid interview, she talks about being choosy with her films, her association with Emraan, her fondness for co-star, Vidyut Jamwal and more. Edited excerpts:

How have you been since you last did Rustom?
I am doing great actually. I have good films in hand right now, and I’m really excited about them.

Baadshaho promises to be one of the biggest films of your career. Tell us about the film and how it came to you...
When I first met Milan Luthria, the only thing I knew was that they had Ajay Devgn onboard, I didn’t know about Emraan Hashmi. While I was happy to meet a director of his calibre, I wasn’t sure I’d get the role since he is quite the perfectionist. Things fell into place, though and I managed to land the role.

What sort of role do you have in Baadshaho?
I can’t tell you about my role in the film. You will just have to wait and watch (laughs).

You had a dream debut with Jannat 2. How has your career graph been since then?
My career has been going quite well considering the fact that I don’t have any godfather in the industry. I’m happy to be doing what I love. I have come a very long way since I first started out, even though I have done very selective films. I think my career has gone really well, since I have all the necessities that anyone could ask for — I have a car, I have a house, I have clothes to wear, food to eat and work that keeps me busy.

For actors, it often happens that you bank on a movie and it does not do as well as you expect at the box office. How do you handle this scenario?
I suppose you have your ups and downs in every industry. It’s only more visible in the film industry since everything is put under scrutiny. After all, we are making these films for the people to enjoy, and a lot of hard work goes into making these films. Still, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, whether positive or negative.

People say that actors who are very choosy about their work often miss out on roles. You seem to have been choosy yourself. Do you ever fear that this will become an issue?
I am very upfront about the fact that I want to do quality films. I would rather do not do films at all than do low level,
C-grade films.

Do we get to see you doing action sequences in Commando 2?
No, it is not an action-packed role, despite the name of the film. The movie is about demonetisation. The director has done great work and it has an amazing story that will reach people regardless of age.

How was your experience working with Vidyut?
He is an amazing person and a very dear friend. He is a very hardworking individual and it is evident on the sets and also later, when you see the final results.

You are working with Emraan again. Tell us something about your association with him?
The first film I did was with Emraan and we have also done a music video together, since then. Everyone seemed to love the video and it became quite a hit. We’re really comfortable with each other and I’m happy to be working with him once more in Baadshaho. If history is anything to go by, people will love seeing us together again.

Are you open to the idea of singles and item songs?
Yes, very much. I did Dhat Teri Ki in Gori Tere Pyaar Main in 2013, so yes I am open to the idea of singles like that. I mean, these are catchy songs that people ultimately dance to at weddings and they are fun and peppy numbers. I’d like to do a song like Chikni Chameli one day.

What’s your plan after Commando 2 and Baadshaho?
I have another film lined up, which goes on floors in March. The official announcement will be made in January.