We used to think that Anushka Sharma was as real as an actress can be. That is until she joined the KJo gang and went ahead to enhance her lips. There’s also the TOIFA incident that changed the way people saw her.

On the other hand, there’s Ileana D’Cruz who seems like a breath of fresh air even though she has been in the film industry for so many years. She was playing flower pot roles in the south and when she made her debut, she did in with a great role in ‘Barfi!’. For some reason, everyone thought that her career would take off and she would be among the most sought-after actresses. But unfortunately things don’t always turn out the way you think it will, especially if you are an actress, who’s an outsider and not willing to compromise. In an interview with DNA, Ileana spoke about a lot of things. We have been asked here on OSOP about her recent breakdown in London, which she mentioned more than once in this interview like if she wanted the journalist to ask her about it. From this interview, she spoke about her male co-stars, but left out nice words for Akshay Kumar and Shahid Kapoor. If you see the promotions of ‘Rustom’, it seems that Akshay was really having fun in the company of both Ileana and Esha Gupta, but it was Esha who was more invested in laughing at his jokes and all that. Who knows, maybe Esha has daddy issues! As for Shahid, we doubt things were or are rosy between them. Remember this:

 

This interview of Ileana’s is as honest as an actress can be when it comes to speaking about the challenges that comes with not compromising or becoming people-pleasing with other people in Bollywood. Do check it out, it’s quite a good read as she makes a lot of sense. It’s good for her that she’s settled in her private life. This helps make her stronger, but still to be an actress for all these years and she still has to deal with the mentioned stupid moments, that only happens in a male-dominated industry. It’s also to be noted that Ileana was approached for every movie of Salman Khan, including ‘Kick’, ‘Wanted’ and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’.

By the way, we have always found that Ileana looks a lot like Amrita Rao, except she’s taller and longer.

 

Ileana D’Cruz Interview

Ileana on signing Barfi

Yes. Barfi was my first Hindi film. It was very different. I was like Chikni Chameli in the south and then I played this demure girl in Barfi.

 

Ileana on being a glamourous actress

I consider myself very blessed, but unfortunately where I am, it is all about looks, in a way. I am okay when I have my make-up on. When I am in front of the camera, I am like, ‘I can do my sh*t and I can act like I am a freaking glamazon’, but when I am alone, I go back to my goofy self.

 

Ileana on the difference of being ambitious and desperate

I was talking to a friend recently about being ambitious. You know, everyone says, ‘She is ambitious and she will do whatever it takes.’ I do not consider that ambitious, I consider that little desperate, honestly. For me, ambition is doing a great job at work when I have my producers coming up to me and saying — ‘We love your work’. That is something that matters to me at the end of the day. I mean I could get a PR agency, I could be like everyone else, I can network, I can socialise, but it is just not me. I cannot play like that. I did not even have a PR agency until recently.

 

Ileana on how she can get roles easily

When I have actors flirting with me, in my head, I am thinking, ‘If I flirt back, I could definitely land a film with this guy. If I consider going to his house for drinks considering he has invited me, I could definitely get a film with him.’ But I just don’t want to do that. Why do I have to do that? If I am talented enough, why can’t I just get a film? I had a breakdown in London this time because of a film I lost, and I felt, if I have to be someone’s girlfriend to get a film, should I not be in this line of work? Eleven years of acting, and I still sometimes think, I am not cut out for this.

 

Ileana on how she enjoys working despite the difficulties

The difference between then and now is that now I genuinely love my work — which is why the breakdown, but I hate the bullshit that goes with it. I hate the people-pleasing that goes with it, and the stupid politics, but that is with every kind of work and job. But I do not want to fan someone’s ego around like, ‘Oh, you are awesome’ and act like an idiot on TV to get TRPs, I won’t do that, I have a little bit of dignity, I think. I don’t think that’s driven, I am driven in another way. And I am curious to know who said it.

 

Ileana on actresses getting cosmetic surgery for no reason

I had acne at one point, I went to this person to deal with it and she said, ‘Look you have laugh lines, I saw you in Barfi and it looks very bad. Do you sleep on your side?’ I am like, I do not know how I sleep, I am sleeping. Secondly what is it to you? She said, ‘Your jawline is very sharp, I will inject you here and there, it will become perfect. I said, I do not care. Let it be the way it is.’ I don’t mind losing out on films, but I do not want to touch my face. But so many of them get it done. I see half these girls, they are so pretty, but why do you have to be this stupid person and get their lips plumped up.

 

Ileana on her favourite co-stars

I would have unusual and funny conversations with Saif, he is lovely. He is very honest. One of the first things he said to me was, “Why are you so defensive and aggressive?” That was honestly the icebreaker between us. I actually thought I needed to give him space as an actor but he is like, ‘Dude, talk to me’. He was lovely. Ajay was really nice to work with. He is really a great co-star and super professional. So yes, I definitely think Varun, Saif and Ajay stand out for me.

 

Ileana on wanting to know who her male co-stars are before signing a film

To be very honest, yes. It matters who the director is and it matters who the actor is. The production aspect I honestly don’t understand so much, I have Reshma (manager) for that, and honestly, they have saved me from a lot of problems in the past. So yes, who my actor is, definitely matters to me. There are some actors that I know I won’t do a film with no matter how good the film is.

 

Ileana on what she heard about getting ahead in Bollywood

I know I have been told not to believe stories, but I hear and have seen a lot of people get ahead if they do some things. And I am not going to give in irrespective of who you are. I am not judging anyone…. Which is also one of the reasons of my breakdown in London… I cried so much.

 

Ileana on coming out with her boyfriend, Andrew Kneebone

I was told it could damage my career. I was told not to talk about it. Look, when Shahid Kapoor got married, everyone was celebrating and then he had a kid, that was celebrated even more. Why is it such a big deal when it is a woman dating?