INTERVIEWS

nonstop nauheed Of course, you know Nauheed Cyrusi as the bubbly star of the “Piya Basanti” music video. But there’s a lot more to this 17-year-old Mumbai girl. By Viral Bhayani What about your school life? I went to JB Vacha school. All the teachers hated me, but I was a good student. I was extremely good at academics. I always used to get a distinction. I really didn’t know that one day I would become a model. Did you act in school or college? No, I used to take part in elocution contests, but that was at school. When was your first break? In class eight, I accompanied a friend to an audition for a commercial. I got the part instead and did the Dhara oil ad. I was 14! After that I got Britannia Little Hearts. Two big commercials, Ayurvedic Concepts and Head & Shoulders followed, which got me noticed. I don’t have a portfolio till date! Were you ever grounded? Oh god! A million times! For coming late or doing stupid things. My parents have been very broadminded; at the same time, they have kept my sister and me under control by setting limits. Every time I have been grounded, I’ve been excused the very next minute. I’ve been lucky that way. Any crazy incident while you were at school? We used to hang around Parsi Gymkhana, which is close to my house. We would go there during weddings, eat Gujarati thali and run away! We never ever got caught. Tell me about your first crush? It happened while I was in class five! He was my best friend’s brother, but nothing happened! And your first date? There was nothing like ‘the first date’. We generally used to go in a big group with equal number of boys and girls, to movies and places. Would you call that dating?! It was only after my 10th that I started going out with guys. I’m dating this guy I have known for a year-and-a-half. The first kiss? It was when I was in class 10. It was just amazing, just like it is for anybody else. How can a guy impress you? I think I’d like a guy who is himself. Anybody can be ‘himself’ and impress you? No, but there are guys who are so artificial, they put on an accent and stuff like that. Actually, I’m very particular about how he dresses, most importantly his shoes! Yes, the first thing I look at is the shoes, next how he dresses and the last is his looks. I don’t think I’d go for looks, I’d basically go for a nice person. Tell us about college. I’m studying in Jaihind College, doing my FYBCom. I have been there right from the first year. The college is great, there is good bonding among the students-I mean, we are not snobs. Everybody is very friendly, I know almost everybody. Of course, there are those creeps, but they are bound to be there in almost every college. Are people jealous of your being so popular? No, actually not. We hang around just like we are supposed to. At college, it doesn’t matter whether you are popular or not. I hate showing off and that kind of attitude. There may be people who are jealous of me, but you can’t do much about that. I try to be very friendly and approachable. Is attendance a big problem? Oh yes, a lot! So, what are your plans for fixing that? I love attending college; it’s just that my work demands too much of my time. When I’m not shooting, though, I make sure that I attend each and every lecture, I make up that way. While you are heavily into modelling, acting and VJing-do you think education is still important? It is important, but in my line of work, I don’t think it is that important. I think basic education is very important. I can’t just rely on what I’m doing now. I can always move ahead in life if I’m well educated and have a proper degree. Where do you hang around after college? College is generally done by 11 or 12… after that, if I don’t have a shoot, I’m always seen with my friends doing lukkha giri outside the college. There are lot of these stalls there… if you happen to be at Jaihind, don’t miss those yum-yum vada paos! Also, we sit in a corner and chat like nobody’s business. But I must say that’s exactly what college life is about- chilling out as much as you can. Where do you party generally? Generally on Wednesdays or Saturdays at Fire ‘N’ Ice and HQ. I’m a total party freak, I love dancing. Your dream is to become an airhostess… My dad works for an airlines and it has always been my dream to become an airhostess. After my graduation I’m surely looking at becoming one. How has VJing been? I think VJing is not that easy, especially the kind of show I do on Zee Music-the Dial M show. You have to be really spontaneous as it is live and anything you say can’t be cut. Do you have callers proposing to you on the show? There are lots of them but we have to cut that! But we read all those e-mails and it is fun. I just wait for the day when we are shooting for Dial M. Do you think knowledge of music is essential for a VJ? No, I don’t think so. Earlier, I used to think that but when I started doing the show, I realised that it is not that difficult. Basic knowledge is more than enough. Is VJing just a stepping stone to Bollywood? I have been getting lot of offers, but I don’t wanna take on just any role. I’m very choosy about acting. If the role has a lot of substance, something like “Piya Basanti”, then I would love to act. Otherwise, it’s okay. Tell us about the “Piya Basanti” video… “Piya Basanti” has two music videos, superbly crafted by ace director Pradeep Sarkar and shot in the picturesque locales of Kothgad (near Shimla). The videos are in a continuous narrative format. The climate was very extreme and not so good for shooting, it was raining all the time. Every time the sun came out, we would run to shoot. Pradeep Sarkar is amazing! Every minute of those eight days were memorable. In “Piya Basanti” you’re a simple girl while on Dial M, you’re crazy. Was it difficult to switch roles? I enjoyed it, I guess variety adds spice to life. It was a major, drastic change but it was not difficult. I think I gave my best and it worked. How was Donovan, your hero in the video? He is as mad as I am. He is great fun and yes, he flies for Jet Airways. I don’t know whether he still does-he bunks a lot! After the video, when people notice you in the train or on the street, do they call you the “Piya Basanti” girl? It’s funny, since even people who know me start relating me with the Piya Basanti girl. They actually call me Piya Basanti all the time. Wow! you sound like Basanti, the Sholay girl! No, I’d prefer being called Nauheed, pronounced Na-Heed! It’s great to be recognised, but it can get embarrassing. I wonder how people know I’m the same girl, since I look very different in the video. You travel by train and bus in Mumbai. How do you tackle guys making a pass at you? I guess every girl suffers her share of seetis and yes, not forgetting the gaalis we give in return. I think it is an inborn tactic we have, to tackle those ghatis! Ignoring is the best policy, because if you say something, they think you are encouraging them. What is your favourite ganda gaali? No, I don’t abuse anyone. The only word that really slips out from my mouth is shut-up! You are 17, going to college, modelling, VJing and acting. How do you manage all this? Studies are a tension. I can’t mug, so last-minute studying does not suit me. So, I generally go home and go through my books. If I’m not shooting, I try to study at least 3 hours a day. What happens when Nauheed Cyrusi meets Cyrus Broacha? I would love to meet him, I have seen him so many times at Marine Lines with Nikhil Chinapa, but never met him. Once I saw him in a broken Fiat-that guy is just great. Nauheed in five words… Moody, friendly, straight-forward; and I love to party and chat. Has all this fame affected you? Not at all—I’m the same person I used to be. I still hang around with my old pals. If all this fame would have made a difference, I think it would have made it long back while I was still making it. Nauheed’s Faves Food: I love love love love love love love pani puri Car: A red convertible Honda Colour: Blue Cartoon: Garfield and Tom & Jerry Actor Bollywood: Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan Actor Hollywood: Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and Leonardo Singer Indian: Mukesh Singer International: Bryan Adams Movie: Chaalbaaz Ideal romantic evening: A small room with candlelight. I would also like a deserted beach Bands: Pink Floyd, Def Leppard, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sting Singles: “Lady” by Mojo and “Feel So Good” by Sonique Word: Basically

INTERVIEW ON LIFE MEIN KABHI KABHI

INTERVIEW ON SIRF

Chirpy Chat with Nauheed Cyrusi-old one

Chirpy Chat with Nauheed Cyrusi

Former model and VJ is extremely excited because her film Life Mein Kabhie Kabhie. Here she shares her excitment and more over a live chat on the day of her movie release.

Scroll down to the bottom of this page for a gallery of Nauheed’s pictures.

indya: The third chat of the week… after indya people- Dino Morea, Aftab Shivdasani, Amrita Arora, now comes the cHirpy and sweet looking Nauheed Cyrusi!

indya: Welcome to indya chat Nauheed… Nice to see you here today!
Nauheed: Hi all glad to be here on chat. Hope all of you are doing good!

guest81: Hi Nauheed, my name is Seema… I used to love your show Hip Hip Hurray.. Are you doing anymore serials in the future?
Nauheed: No, as of now it’s just films. I don’t think I’ll do any serials in future

guest53: Hi Nauheed, my name is Aasim.. I think you are very beautiful… but what would you consider you are, yourself.. a model first and then an VJ… and then an actor.. or what?
Nauheed: Thanks for the compliment. My life’s taken a gradual step up. Right now it’s only me as an actor.

guest64: Hi Nauheed, how old are you?… If you don’t mind answering?
Nauheed: Hey I am 10

guest63: Hi are you excited about your film which is released today?
Nauheed: I’ve never been so excited about a film. This one is truly special.

guest85: Where did you grow up? What’s was your childhood like?
Nauheed: I am from Mumbai. Normal childhood. grown up like any normal person.

guest81: Which is your favourite holiday destination?
Nauheed: Goa… I am a very beach person

guest85: Do you like cats? Do you have any pets of your own?
Nauheed: I can’t say I like Cats… but am more a dog person. Have a doggy (a Lab) at home.

guest86: What are your hobbies? What do you really really really REALLY enjoy doing?
Nauheed: Really really REALLY like music, travelling and swimming

guest68: What is your take on India’s performence in the world cup… Do you think Venugopal Rao should be included?
Nauheed: I was disappointed. Not everyone has good days all the time! That’s about it

guest53: How did you become a vj? Is it a difficult job?
Nauheed: I got to be a VJ through modelling. It’s a cool and easy job as you just need to be yourself before the camera

melli89: Hi Nauheed, I’m Melli, till now I only saw you in Anwar but I think you did a great job… Do you plan to do more movies like Anwar, or such topics?
Nauheed: Off course I am open to any movies… provided it’s interesting
indya: Keep your comments and questions coming for Nauheed, she is trying to answer them all!

guest92: What kind of music do you listen to?
Nauheed: Any kind… As long as it’s not too noisy

guest59: Hi Nauheed what other films are you working on now?
Nauheed: Right now Life Mein Kabhie kabhie, then a couple of movies ahead…

guest86: Who are your friends in the industry?
Nauheed: My friends are my college and school friends. None from the industry

guest85: Do you sing? I loved you in your video Piya basanti re…
Nauheed: God no no… Just leave that to the singers

guest88: What’s your pet name
Nauheed: Foflu – I’ve no idea what it means

guest73: Hi Nauheed… My name is Rajesh… If you don’t mind answering.. When is your birthday?
Nauheed: Oct 19

guest92: The one actor you would really like to co-star with in a movie?
Nauheed: Aamir Khan

guest92: Hi, I am Rohit.. I think you should really try out for Miss India… Why haven’t you tried out yet? I really think you would be a brilliant representative on an international platform?
Nauheed: Well Rohit, I am not that tall – just a 5′4”

guest88: Are you planning to do any other languages movie?
Nauheed: If a good one… then why not?

guest_rekhaa: What kind of food you like?
Nauheed: Am a big foodie, but pani puri is my favourite.

guest_rekhaa: What is your dream role?
Nauheed: Too early to talk about it

guest87: Are you dating anybody right now?
Nauheed: Yes… And that’s about it

guest87: Who do you think should be India’s next president?
Nauheed: Very tough… Rahul Gandhi maybe…

guest85: What kind of food do you enjoy? Can you Cook?
Nauheed: A little here and a little there… anything and everything

melli89: Who is your favourite actor/actress?
Nauheed: Aamir khan, Madhuri Dixit… from bollywood

guest95: Hi Nauheed, How is your experience in this industry?
Nauheed: It’s been great… Just hoping it gets better and better

guest106: Which is your favourite movie?
Nauheed: Right now… it’s Life Mein Kabhie Kabhie

guest95: Ok, one thing you would like to change in this industry, what would it be?
Nauheed: Not much… Just that people from outside the industry should be given a fair chance to prove themself.

indya: There are many of you whose commets couldnot reach Nauheed now, here is a special message for all you folks who took out time to be here…

Nauheed: A small message for my fans: Please enjoy life… and most important… Please watch Life Mein Kabhie Kabhie. Have fun and that’s about it!

indya: Thank you very much Nauheed, we hope all indyans enjoyed the chat just as much as we did running it! Have a great weekend ahead, you all!

Nauheed: Okie thank you all! Bye

‘My idols are Kajol and Madhuri’

She loves pani puris and enjoys the singing and dancing that is part and parcel of Hindi films.

The effervescent and charming Nauheed Cyrusi debuts in Bollywood with Padam Kumar’s Supari (Nandita Das, Uday Chopra, Rahul Dev, Purab Kohli, Aakash Saigal). She has also signed Vikram Bhatt’s Inteha (Ashmit Patel, Vidya Malavade) and choreographer Ahmed Khan’s debut film Lakeer (Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, John Abraham, Sohail Khan).

Nauheed has already starred in various television commercials and music videos, including Ustad Sultan Khan and Chitra’s Piya Basanti.

From a regular commerce student in Mumbai’s Jaihind College to a starry-eyed newcomer in Bollywood, Nauheed has come a long way as she awaits the release of Supari on June 13.

Monika Baldwa spoke to the 19-year-old about her Bollywood experience. Excerpts:

How did modelling happen?

It happened by chance. When I was in class VIII [J B Vacha school], I accompanied my best friend to an audition. I got the part instead and did the Dhara Oil advertisement. I was only 14. After that, I featured in Britannia Little Hearts [biscuits], Ayurvedic Concepts [medical products, now know as Himalaya], and Head & Shoulders [shampoo]. These commercials got me noticed. I still don’t have a portfolio.

You also featured in the music video, Piya basanti.

Piya basanti was the turning point. Director Pradeep Sarkar shot the video in the picturesque locales of Kothgad [near Shimla]. The climate was extreme and not-so-good for shooting. It was raining all the time. Every time the sun came out, we would run to shoot. Every minute of those eight days of shooting was memorable.

Piya basanti changed it all for me. Everywhere I went, I was known as the Piya basanti girl. People would come up for autographs. It was a little embarrassing. Suddenly, I was flooded with film offers. But I love being in front of the camera. Moving from modelling to acting isn’t an effort.

How did you bag Supari?

Like I said, I received a lot of offers. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to be an actress. Both my parents are in the aviation industry; I wanted to be an airhostess.

Supari happened because of Channel [V] veejay Purab Kohli. He was already a part of the film. We had worked together in the serial Hip Hip Hurray [on Zee TV]. He suggested my name to director Padam Kumar.

We met. He narrated the script and I loved my part. I decided to do it.

Is Supari, which has so many actors, an ideal launch?

I am instinctive. My gut said it was a good role to debut in. I go a lot by my instinct.

What I like about Supari was that, for my first film, there aren’t any heavy-duty romantic scenes in it. I play a regular Parsi girl who is Uday Chopra’s love interest. I have only one song [Tujhe chaand chahiye] that is slightly glamorised. My character in the film, Dilnawaz, is a tomboy. It is a lot like me — bubbly and happy-go-lucky.

I really enjoyed doing the two emotional scenes with Uday in the film.

Like my director [Padam Kumar] says, I am the fun element in a dark film.

What was working in Supari like?

What I loved about shooting for Supari was that we shot in Canada for two months. It was like a vacation. I had so much fun, I didn’t want to come back.

Working with Uday and Nandita [Das] was a lot of fun. Uday is a nice and genuine person. He made me comfortable on the sets.

Seeing my promos and have friends call me is a huge high. After the song, Tujhe chaand chahiye, was aired on television, my pictures are all over the place. It still hasn’t hit me. Maybe it will, once I see myself on screen, in the theatre.

How are you coping with Bollywood?

For somebody who comes from a non-filmi background, Bollywood can be a major culture shock. You have to learn to deal with it. I was worried how I would handle it because one hears weird stories about it. But I am adapting. I am not changing myself, but I am learning how to handle the environment and work culture.

Have you signed any other films after Supari?

Yes. I have signed two films. I am working in Vikram Bhatt’s Inteha with Ashmit Patel [Amisha Patel’s younger brother] and Vidya Malavade. It is a horror thriller. Since we are all newcomers, it’s a lot of fun. My role has a slight negative shade.

I also have Ahmed Khan’s Lakeer. It is an out-and-out commercial film, with a lot of twists and turns. It stars Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, John Abraham, and Sohail Khan. So far, I am the only girl in the film. It is a very glossy production. I am looking forward to the shooting.

What was the experience of working with three different directors like?

My directors made me feel absolutely comfortable. Whether it’s Vikram Bhatt or Ahmed Khan or Padam Kumar, they don’t stress you out. I keep asking them to give me a lot of feedback. They do tell me what I am doing right or wrong. I make mistakes, but I am quick to learn from them. I don’t judge myself. Hence, the opinion of my directors is very important. I try and work upon their suggestions.

What I love about films is the song-and-dance routine. The scenes are challenging, but saying the dialogues 10-15 times can get monotonous.

Which actresses do you admire the most?

My idols are Kajol and Madhuri Dixit. I want to act like them.

Do you find acting exhausting?

Yes. Like now, I am working crazy hours — from 7pm to 5am. I sleep during the day so I can’t talk to any of my friends. That is frustrating.

What thrills me is when my director says pack-up. I am like any other teenybopper. I love going home and hanging out with my friends.

JOLLY & SMILING AS ALWAYS

Fitness Unlimited -Nauheed Cyrusi

The “Piya basanti” girl has a very simple fitness formula –mind what you eat.

The “Piya basanti” girl has a very simple fitness formula –mind what you eat. Nauheed Cyrusi doesn’t practise that preaching very religiously herself, but thankfully, her body structure is such that she makes do with little or no exercise. We caught up with bubbly actress to find out how she maintains herself.

Are you a fitness freak?
No, not at all. I try to eat healthy. Whenever I don’t, I tend to gain weight. And whenever I gain weight, I stop eating rich food for a few days. Once I regain my normal weight I binge all over again.

Which type of exercise do you do?
I have a treadmill at home which is just for show. I even hang clothes on it. It was bought so that I exercise regularly, but I never used it. I play a lot of badminton and that is the secret of my fit body.

How important is it for an actor to look physically fit?
It is very important for an actor to look physically fit because it is a part of the job. I must say that everyone should look fit because it makes you look more attractive.

Were you always a fitness freak or being in the glamour industry turned you into one?
I was never a fitness freak and will never be, because I believe in eating healthy. I am against dieting.

Do you think a nice figure or built means the person is fit?
Not necessarily, because there are many slim and curvaceous people who lack stamina. Hence, one should be healthy from within. The curves and biceps come only after health.

Do you feel fitness adds appeal to the personality?
No. I know so many people with charming personality who are plump. I don’t think that fitter body gives you a good personality.

Any tips you would like to give to our readers?
Eat healthy and stay good. Never diet. Drink lots and lots of water.

Who do you think is the fittest person in the glamour industry?
Dino Morea.

-Anju Gupta (SAMPURN