Young actor from city in 'Sarbjit' prays for the film’s success

Young actor prays for success of 'Sarabjit'

Neha Saini

Tribune News service

Amritsar, May 18

As the most-anticipated biopic on Indian farmer Sarbjit Singh will release in India this weekend, 14-year-old Khyati Mehra from the city can feel the butterflies in her stomach. The reason, of course, is the young actor’s excitement over her big screen debut. Mehra will be seen playing the role of Sarbjit’s elder daughter in the film and share screen space with one of her idols, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

The multi-talented youngster, who became part of the film without even giving any auditions for the role, says that this is the biggest project she has worked on in her small, yet impressive career so far. “I hope the film becomes a super hit. It has received a worldwide recognition and so I believe that it will be liked by the Indian audience as well,” she says. Shooting for the film was a learning experience for Khyati as the real life story of Sarbjit Singh was little known to her. “I had read about him in the paper and heard the rest from my parents. But while shooting for the film, especially the emotional scenes on the Wagah border, I could actually relate to the tragedy and feel the pain of his family.”

A scholarship holder in Kathak from the central Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Mehra has earlier worked in Punjabi films, including 'Kaur', 'Rahe Chardi Kalan Punjab Di', 'Darpok' and done 450 stage shows. The young actor is also a very good painter and has won several state level awards for her work. And she is also a singer, “In fact, I love singing the most among my other passions,” she shares. “While shooting for 'Sarbjit', once I was humming a tune in between shots and Aishwarya ma'am heard me. She was impressed and also complimented me,” says one of the finalists of The Voice of Punjab. She learns kathak from noted classical danseuse Rashmi Nanda and her scholarship will ensure that she pursues the classical dance form till the age of 20. Her parents Deepak Mehra and Dhwani Mehra are her biggest support.

Meanwhile, she also is focused on her studies, which she says that she will never compromise for the sake of her other interests. “Even while shooting for 'Sarbjit', I had my exam the very next day and I studied the whole night after the wrap up and sat for the exam.”

Given her focus and multi-tasking, she has a bright future ahead.