Thaindian News

By Dibyojyoti Baksi
Mumbai, July 14 (IANS) Emraan Hashmi’s bad boy image doesn’t bother Prachi Desai, who plays his love interest in the forthcoming underworld drama “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai”. She says people should talk about her co-star’s achievements as an actor rather his on-screen kisses.

“Working with Emraan was one of my fondest experiences so far. He is one of my favourite co-actors,” Prachi, 21, who made her big screen debut as Farhan Akhtar’s wife in “Rock On!”, told IANS in an interview.

“May be because he has worked with new faces in most of his films, he has huge patience. When I was working with him, I was extremely comfortable. He has no hang-ups. He doesn’t behave like a star; rather he will make you feel comfortable.

“I think it’s high time he really got credit. He has given so many hits but even till date unfortunately what people talk about is his kissing scenes,” she added.

In “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai”, Prachi plays a conservative Muslim girl in the 1970s and she made yesteryear actress Mumtaz a reference point while doing the role.

“I play a Muslim girl, who is conservative, honest and poised. It is different from the roles I have played in my earlier films. It’s more intense. The point of reference for my character was Mumtazji of that time.”

Prachi also dresses like Dimple Kapadia in “Bobby” in one of the scenes. “Sorry, I am nowhere close to her,” said Prachi who wears the famous polka dress worn by Dimple.

Directed by Milan Luthria and produced by Ekta Kapoor, the film is said to be inspired by two underworld figures, Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim, in their initial days.

But Prachi insists the filmmakers have taken just a few references.

“It’s not a biopic. I am sure there are lots of things that they (filmmakers) have taken inspiration from. They have used real life instances, but it’s not particularly of a person and his past. It has a lot of different things that have been put together,” said Prachi.

Prachi started her career with TV soap “Kasamh Se”.

The actress maintains that her performance in “Rock On!” helped her in bagging the role in “Once Upon a Time in Mumbai” that also has Ajay Devgn and Kangana Ranaut.

“When you have National Award winners like Ajay and Kangana, a good actor like Emraan as your co-stars, you have to give your best to get noticed in the film,” she said.

(Dibyojyoti Baksi can be contacted at dibyojyoti.b@ians.in)