The Buddhist supermodel is refreshingly down-to-earth — spiritual, vegetarian, into yoga. For her, life is all about karma and meditation. She was happy modelling for international campaigns when she was called for an audition. Now she stands poised to debut alongside none other than Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
“This is not the first time I’ve been offered a big film, but earlier, I was simply not interested,” the 25-year-old explains, “I’ve always admired Sanjay Leela’s films. When I was called for an audition, I was not even briefed about my role. I took it up because it was a film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. That’s it.”
She plays Hrithik’s love interest in the film. Facing the camera was nothing new to her, but “delivering the dialogues was something that I had never done before. Sanjay didn’t give me many dialogues in the film, whatever dialogues I have were written keeping my image in mind,” says Monikangna. “In fact, Sanjay gave me complete freedom. I don’t know which scenes have been retained. Most scenes were designed keeping in mind how I’d react to a certain situation. I took acting classes before I started work on the film for a month with Anupam Kher. Anupam uncle would come and take interest in teaching me everyday. The course made me more open to challenges.”
Sashaying down the ramp was not adequate, the actress also trained with dance director Terence Lewis to bring the requisite oomph needed to dance opposite her hero. “Dancing with Hrithik was crazy; he shocked me. Sanjay would say twirl and twirl and Hrithik would do it with so much ease but he had plenty of patience with me. I am learning Kathak but dancing with him was altogether another experience.”
The actress fell in love with both her co-stars, “Hrithik is one of my favourites. Aishwarya too. They are such beautiful people, very emotional. I am new here but they gave me so much warmth and love and it transcends itself on the screen. I think it’s my good karma that I got to work with such good people from the industry. I have high regard for both of them. You will realise when you see the emotional scenes. If you are not an emotional person, you cannot do them.”
Debuting with two of the best looking actors may have fazed a lesser soul, but not Monikangna, “How could I be overshadowed? It’s like being jealous of a diva like Rekha or an actor like Amitabh Bachchan. I am very laidback. I do a lot of meditation and read books. I have always been a tomboy and have known no jealousy.”
Director Bhansali has a reputation for being very strict on sets and has been known to make a heroine or two cry. “Sanjay is such a nice person. Everybody says he is strict but then why wouldn’t he be. He’s a perfectionist and every movie is his piece of art. He’s never made me cry,” she smiles.
A fairy tale childhood, Monikangna had to grow up only very recently, “Until last year, it was like that. I still miss home, my mom and family. My mom finds it difficult to shuttle from home to Mumbai.” Acting is in the genes, (her mum was an actress in Assamese films) but so is medicine. Her father was a doctor and she nearly became one too, “I wanted to become a doctor but after my 12th, I didn’t feel like studying further. I gave up all that to become a model. That was the time I broke my dad’s heart. He was okay with modelling abroad, but when it came to movies, he said no way. It took me a long time to convince him.”
Being roomies with international legends like Kate Moss has given Monikangna a true perspective. “I am a different person today. When I shared a house with Kate Moss I did go ‘wow’ as I have grown up watching them. They are like divas. The difference now is that I say ‘Oh wow’ to myself.”
Self-belief is her survival strategy in edgy Mumbai where the pressure can make you crumble. “Here everyone is talking about you or pointing at you. I have learnt how to create my own space and not get run over by other people. However, I am blessed and I have passed through good karma. I come from the North East where people are warm and welcoming in their approach. I don’t see that in big cities, hence I don’t understand the behaviour here.”
Friends are few and hard to come by in this industry, “People have tried to take advantage of my naïvete. Hence, I believe in maintaining a distance. When I need friends I call my schoolmates and they will be there for me. I can’t be diplomatic and that’s my biggest disadvantage. Sanjay always tells me to open up and make more friends. But dad says I must be careful in picking and choosing my friends.”
As her debut release approaches, she’s got a case of the butterflies, “I am nervous after completing the film. As of now I am promoting the film. I’ve also been offered a Victoria’s Secret campaign and they will be making announcements soon.” Finally we ask about the buzz that she has many steamy scenes with Hrithik in the film. She laughs, “I have always been a shy person and it takes me time to open up. It was a little shocking since I had to shoot in front of 50 other people.”