Ileana D'Cruz: I work with stars like Akshay Kumar as I can't carry a film on my own

Your look in the film has been appreciated...

I haven't cut my hair this short since college. So it felt like 'Oh my God, is that me?' Initially, we tried out a few wigs for my look but I looked more like an old lady so eventually I told the director that I would rather snip off my hair.

You had no Hindi film releasing in 2015. How did that happen?

I wish I had a profound answer like 'I wanted some time off' but all that is rubbish. There was a film that I was meant to do but something happened towards the end of the negotiations, and they went with somebody else. I had a lovely chat with the director who felt so bad and was so sorry, but I was fine about it because the person with whom they went ahead was also amazing. It did feel weird initially, it has never happened before, but now I feel whatever happens, happens for the best. As luck would have it, the film tanked.

Happy Ending released in November 2014 and almost one year after that, in September, I met Tinu Desai (director) for Rustom. I was going to work with Neeraj (Pandey, the co-producer) twice before but unfortunately it didn't work out. The man makes amazing films but I would never end up doing them. I was expecting disappointment again. Tinu's narration had so much intensity about it, it was so real, I was hooked right from the beginning. I was genuinely shocked that I was being offered such an amazing film after all the rubbish films that were offered to me. I didn't even care if I hadn't been paid for this film, I had to do the film.

Also read: Missed out on an opportunity to work with Akshay Kumar in Special 26, laments Ileana D'Cruz

You were in talks with Neeraj Panday for the Dhoni biopic, right?

I was in talks with Neeraj for M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story. We chatted for an hour in his office. I think it's a very sensitive film. I don't know much about cricket and he wasn't willing to share a lot about the film, which is understandable. We just left it there and hoped we would soon do a film together. I prefer hearing the whole story. After Happy Ending, which I expected to work but didn't, I was particular about hearing what I am getting into. He completely respected that.

How did you react to the break in your career?

I had lost hopes of good films coming my way to an extent. I went through a little phase where I just accepted it. I am not the sort of person who sulks, 'Oh my life has come to an end.' I accept the reality. This was the longest time that I hadn't worked and ironically my last film was calledHappy Ending. Everyone was like 'you disappeared!' But hey, I am not cooped up at home. My mom was in America so I paid her a visit and I travelled all over the place.

Most of your films have been with major stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and now Akshay Kumar. Is it a conscious decision to work with big names?

Yes, in a way, because you need someone to back you in a film. I am not sure that I can carry a film on my shoulders right now. One day, I would love to do a film that would bank on me but I need a good director to support me. For now, it's good to establish yourself with really strong actors, and I got that with all the stars.

Continuing with the trend, you are working next with Ajay Devgn in Baadshaho...

I am super excited about Baadshaho. I think Milan Luthria is a fantastic director and I always wanted to work with him. We had a chance meeting on the sets of Rustom and I didn't expect him to revert. But after three months, he called me out of the blue for Baadshaho.

Also read: Rustom: Akshay Kumar is a risk-taker, says Neeraj Pandey

-- Anita Britto, Bollywood News Service