‘I am not someone special.’
‘I don’t want to be shortlisted for a role just because I belong to the family I do.’
An apple does not fall far from the tree and debutante Pranutan Bahl, who is set to dive into the glitzy world of entertainment with Salman Khan Films’s Notebook, proves that adage.
Shobhana Samarth’s great granddaughter, Nutan’s granddaughter, Tanuja’s grandniece, Mohnish and Ekta Bahl’s daughter and Kajol’s niece, Pranutan has been making waves after Notebook’s trailer released.
“I am blessed that I belong to a family that has given so many great artists to the industry. I don’t look at it as pressure,” Pranutan, 22, tells Rediff.com Contributor Mohnish Singh.
You are the latest example of what Kangana Ranaut calls nepotism.
No, I am not because I have chosen this path for myself.
Immediately after completing my education, I started doing auditions.
I have auditioned at almost every casting studio in the city for three years.
I have never asked my father to make a call for me.
How did you bag Notebook?
Notebook was just another audition for me, but it turned out to be special because it is a big film from such a huge banner. There were experienced mentors to guide me.
I did a four-five hour long audition with Nitin (Kakkar, director) sir.
After 18 days, I received a call from his office, saying that I had been finalised for the part of Firdous in the film.
That was the biggest day of my life.
Did you face any trouble while shooting in Kashmir?
No. People were hospitable and would shower us with so much love.
They would invite us to their homes for food.
Now I know each and every bylane of Kashmir.
When my parents came to Kashmir during the shoot, I was telling them where to go, how to reach Lal Chowk and all.
How familiar are you with your grand legacy which goes back three generations?
Not three, but five.
It starts with Rattan Bai (Shobhana Samarth’s mother), Shobhana Samarth, dadi (Nutan), Papa (Mohnish Bahl) and now, me.
Rattan Bai was a noted Maharashtrian singer.
My great grandfather was a Marathi poet.
Do you feel the pressure?
I feel I have a huge responsibility.
But I don’t look at it as pressure because that sounds negative.
Pressure will make you panic and you will start thinking, ‘Oh my God, how am I going to do this? How is it going to happen?’
I don’t think like that at all.
But I cannot deny that there is a responsibility.
I am blessed that I belong to a family that has given so many great artists to the industry.
I take it as encouragement that I have such a grand lineage.
I am ready to work hard to make them proud and happy.
