‘I gave countless auditions’

The first step towards the world of limelight begins with the mindset. At least it did for 20-year-old Delhi-based Siddhi Ahuja, soon to be seen as a lead actress in the upcoming Punjabi film Jugni Yaaran Di, also starring Deep Joshi. “Early on I knew I wanted to be an actress and I started my journey at the age of 18 itself, right after my Class XII board examination,” she shares, currently pursuing graduation in political science from University of Delhi. She stuck to the plan and beauty pageants by private organizers, commercials, calendar shoots and all that the world of modeling entails, followed suit. It was all about adding to the resume being only partially selective about things.

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Talking of the film, she says, “I play the character of a sweet, simple but at the same time, a confident girl, who goes by the rulebook to the T.”

But boy was it tough to land the role? “It was really very challenging especially given the fact that I was an outsider with no filmi connections, whatsoever,” shares the girl who had her parents support though. “Both my parents are in government job and everyone else in the extended family into business. After a point, it was all about hanging onto one’s will power and ambitions.” Both of which come in handy, especially when out to pursue acting dreams. “I gave lots and lots of auditions, did more and more of shoots.” All along, there’s only one thing that helps you stick out and that is, as she puts it, “You have to be as clear about what you want as persistent.” Mention casting couch and she says, “Since I am yet to enter Bollywood, so I can’t comment but in the Punjabi industry so far, I haven’t experienced anything even remotely like that,” she signs off.

—Manpriya Singh