Australia-born Indian actress Pallavi Sharda says she is fortunate to share screen space with Ranbir Kapoor as well as his parents Rishi and Neetu Kapoor in upcoming film Besharam.
The actress, who has done bit roles in films like My Name Is Khan, Heroine among others, said she never anticipated that her hard work would pay off in a mainstream launch opposite such big names from Bollywood.
“The grace and humility of the entire Kapoor family and the fact that they never made me feel new or junior was admirable. I was lucky enough not only to act alongside them but also to dance with them in an upbeat Bhangra number called Hand Uthake Nache,” Sharda said.
Talking about her film, which will hit theatres tomorrow in India and Australia, Sharda said, “I play an ordinary, relatable girl next door, who loves life and dreams big. She thinks she has her life plan sorted out until Babli (Ranbir) walks in and steam rolls her with his besharam antics,” she said.
Sharda has been actively involved in promoting India-Australia relations through her work in India. In 2012-13, she was appointed as an ambassador for Oz Fest, an India-wide cultural festival.
“It was the Indian-Australian community that gave me the confidence and support to try my luck in Bollywood. I will always cherish that my family and friends in Australia allowed me to be besharam and break the mould. I want nothing more than to give back to my community,” she said.
Sharda was crowned Miss India Australia in 2010 and has now shifted her base to Mumbai.
She has also appeared in other films like Dus Tola, Love Breakups Zindagi, a New York based crossover film Walkaway, and an Australian movie Save Your Legs.
After Fearless Nadia (Mary Ann Evans, born in Perth), who acted in Hindi films in the 1930s, Sharda is the second Australian to enter Bollywood.
