Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films, a golfer, a beauty pageant star and a fitness entrepreneur. Actor RakulPreet Singh has her hands full with multiple projects and is back in a Hindi film — De DePyaar De — after five years. But above all, she’s an army kid first. The Delhi girl talks about her love for exercising, working in different film industries and her mom’s food.
Words: DharaVoraSabhnani
You share the screen with two big names in De DePyaar De – Ajay Devgn and Tabu. Tell us a bit about your experience.
I was really happy when I got on board with this film, as I would get to work with these amazing technicians, actors, and I have a very nice role. I couldn’t have asked for more. One always wants to work with better actors, who know more than you. That was the biggest point that made me accept the film that I get to work with two seasoned actors and I get to put my best foot forward. It made me push myself more and I learned so much from them. I adore them for how grounded and welcoming they were. And when someone opposite you is such a great actor, your performance is better than before, as acting is reacting.
It must have been a lot of fun on the sets…
Luckily, I didn’t fall prey to any of Ajay sir’s pranks [laughs]. All of us enjoy healthy food and while we were shooting in London, we tried different restaurants, visited new locations, and went shopping between shoots. Eating fresh and organic food used to be our topic of discussion every day. When we were shooting in Manali, we even played badminton post pack up– we became a big family.
Did you bond over your mutual love for fitness?
I have always been inclined towards fitness, I own three gyms, and being fit is a lifestyle for me. I need to work out every day, whether it’s 4 am or 6 am. On days when I would work out really early in the morning, Ajay sir would always say, ‘Yehladkipaagalhai’ [laughs]. I had to lose weight for the film and my director (Akiv Ali) would tease me with cheeseburgers.
How do you manage to work smoothly with different teams from different regional film industries?
There isn’t much of a difference. The only difference I see is in the call sheet, in the South we shoot from 6 am to 6 pm and are free after that. Films are a medium of art, and every film industry today is doing so well and coming up with great content. Ultimately, it all comes down to the people who you are working with, and I have been fortunate enough to work with people who know their job. After having done 15 to 17 films, I speak Telugu very fluently, Tamil not as much yet. But I am a good student and great at cramming up [laughs], that’s how I initially started.
When and how did you get interested in cinema, RakulPreet Singh?
I didn’t grow on a good dose of films, as my dad is from the army and watching TV wasn’t the favorite thing for us to do. He made us participate in a lot of sports. I played golf at the National level when I was in high school. Films really weren’t something we grew up on. The first film that I remember watching in a theatre was KahoNaa… PyaarHai. It was only in college when I started modeling that I really started watching films and fell in love with them. We didn’t know anyone in the industry and participating in the Miss India Pageant was the only route we knew to enter films. My first Kannada film just happened. I was just doing it for pocket money. But I enjoyed it and loved being in front of the camera. But I focused on graduating in mathematics after that as I wanted a backup and I didn’t want to be a struggler.
So did your parents object to your decision of doing films?
They were extremely supportive. My mom encouraged me to start modeling as I was tall and she felt that I have what it takes. In fact, I was a tomboy. My dad has been very supportive of my choices. I remember going bikini shopping for the pageant and my dad asked me if I needed him to come and I said no [laughs]. I couldn’t have done an iota of work without them. Even today, if I am confused, stressed, or just need to talk to someone, I always call them. I update them about everything that happens on the sets every day.
Did your army background help your journey in the industry?
When I was 45 days old and could be taken out in the open, my mom took me to the J&K border where my dad was posted. By the time I was in my 10th grade, it was my 10th school. When people ask me where are you from, I don’t know what to say, I say I am an Indian as our family has always travelled and moved cities. A lot of kids from the armed forces background do very well in the film industry — Anushka Sharma, Lara Dutta, there so many artistes. It’s because the parents are supportive, and you are so used to travelling. No matter what luxury I live in, I can adapt to a village for a 40-day schedule, or to a city too. It really helps you in life as you are constantly meeting new people and going to new places.
How was your very first day on the set like?
I remember I was very confident, even though I was shooting in a language I didn’t know [Kannada]. I just crammed my first dialogue, and delivered, they were so happy. I had scored a 100 in social science thanks to my cramming skills and it came handy [laughs].
You often share your workout videos and tips on eating healthy. Tell us a bit about your interest in fitness.
I am a self-proclaimed psycho when it comes to fitness. Since I had been into sports since my childhood, I moved on to gymming easily when I started modeling. I like to work out and sweat it out every day to feel clean, I feel my brain cells don’t work the day I don’t work out and I become moody. I work out for not more than an hour every day and do a mix of functional and strength training. I enjoy reading about nutrition. Sometimes I feel like a nutritionist, I can look at a dish and tell you the calorie count and nutritional make-up. Films, fitness, and food are the three big Fs of my life. We take care of our houses and keep them clean, so why not our bodies? It’s our home.
A message you would like to share with TMM’s readers?
I have been lucky for all the love I have received so far. Now that I am starting with Hindi films again, I hope I get that love from the Hindi audiences as well. And keep watching my films!
Rapid fire
Guilty indulgence: Chocolate cake!
Comfort food: My mom’s food, be it simple laukisabji or chicken curry
Favourite healthy food item: Cauli pizza
How do you unwind: I love hanging out with my friends post packup
The last film you watched: Bohemian Rhapsody
A classic film you would love to be a part of: DDLJ! I am a sucker for romance
Top three romantic films: P.S. I Love You, A Star is Born and EkDuujeKeLiye
You start your day with: Bulletproof ghee coffee
Best beauty hack: Be positive from within, you will just glow!
What do you do for mental peace: I am spiritually inclined, plus I have always been a happy person
What makes your day: When everything going right, I am always on a timetable, I have an OCD of time and I can’t be late
Best fitness advice you have received: From my trainer Harrison James, who asked me to be happy when working out and make fitness a lifestyle
Makeup essentials: Bobbi Brown foundation stick, and a lip balm
The post Fit and Fabulous – RakulPreet Singh appeared first on TMM.