From Dubai to Bollywood : Kashvi's journey to playing young Priyanka Chopra in Citadel: Honey Bunny

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00:00Hi everyone, this is Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor, Gulf News Dubai.

00:21I'm here with Kashwi.

00:23I call her our Dubai's pride actually, for the simple reason, you've come such a long

00:28way.

00:29She is in the series called Citadel with Varun Dhawan and Samantha Roothprabhu.

00:33She has a very meaty role.

00:35She's not just an ornament or a child in it.

00:37She's a child with a lot of heft, a great character.

00:40Kashwi, are you feeling really happy about your acting debut?

00:44I feel amazing.

00:47I feel just super duper excited and I can't wait to know how everyone likes this show.

00:53Really?

00:54I've heard some very good, I've seen a couple of episodes and I thought you were really

00:58good.

00:59Natural on screen.

01:00Did you enjoy it as much?

01:01Is acting what you expected it to be?

01:04Yes, I enjoyed it as much as I could.

01:07I had the best time.

01:08I made amazing memories there.

01:11So many special memories.

01:13My first one, of course it's very special.

01:16And talking to Sam on set, Varun Bhai, and you know, playing fun games with the directors.

01:23It was just magical.

01:25Really, how many days were you filming for Citadel?

01:28Close to 21, 22 days.

01:31Were you at all nervous in front of the camera because you seemed very at home etc.

01:36And I know Naura Fateh, he kind of handpicked you for the AIFA awards ceremony.

01:41That's where it all started, right?

01:43I remember two years ago we had this conversation.

01:45So, is that where it all began?

01:47Yes, I would say thanks to Naura ma'am for, you know, finding me out.

01:53And I mean, that's where everything started.

01:55Everyone spotted me and then I got casted for this.

01:59And yeah, that's where it all started, I believe.

02:02Really, and how was it working with your Varun Bhaiya and Sam Didi, you call her?

02:06Yeah.

02:07How was it like?

02:08We call her Sam in the...

02:09We call her Sam Di on the set.

02:11Sam Di also?

02:12No, like Didi.

02:13Sam Di.

02:14But like, I just take her the other Di.

02:16So, how was it like?

02:17I mean, you know, they are seasoned actors, right?

02:19And you haven't done this before.

02:20Yeah.

02:22Did they give you tips or how did you...

02:24Or did you know all the lines?

02:26I mean, I memorized all the lines at the start.

02:30I mean, it was...

02:33Yeah, she was helping me there.

02:35And, you know, once every scene would end, the second day she'd be like,

02:41who's the best?

02:42She'd make me say and she'd say, you are the best.

02:45And I would say, no, you are too good.

02:47And she's like, it is really fun.

02:50Really? And there was a lot of action where you had to do.

02:52Like the first episode sees you on the run a bit.

02:55All that.

02:56Did you find that exciting?

02:57Yeah.

02:58Like it's not your regular, you know, child in a safe house kind of role, right?

03:01I'm a very adventurous girl.

03:03So, I mean, the character I was playing, Nadia, kind of also matched me.

03:08I mean, she's very intelligent and I think I am too.

03:13You are.

03:14You are really intelligent, I'm sure.

03:16And she's also like playing the young Priyanka Chopra, right?

03:19Yes, I'm playing young Priyanka Chopra.

03:20That's quite a cool role to start your career with, isn't it?

03:23Yeah.

03:24Did you see the original?

03:26I don't think you're allowed to, though, right?

03:28Yeah, I know.

03:29I won't even have to see my own show.

03:31I think that's so funny.

03:32But you acted in it and I guess it's because of the violence in it and all of that.

03:36Yeah.

03:37I'm going to only see my parts.

03:39My mama said that I'm only going to see, even if I don't see my parts,

03:43only the parts that are appropriate.

03:45She's going to send me out and they're going to enjoy it.

03:47Yes.

03:48Life is very unfair, but look at the brighter side.

03:51The reviews have been so kind to you.

03:53Have you been reading them and what did you think of them?

03:56I'm really grateful and glad that, you know, everyone's saying that I've been so good in the show.

04:04I mean, I'm really happy.

04:07This all started, like the shooting started one and a half years ago.

04:11And I was like so looking forward for it to release.

04:15Whenever I went to the director's, I would ask her,

04:18they put an issue story in these things.

04:20Then they finally, now it's released.

04:22And I'm super duper happy because I've got to know the reviews are good.

04:27And they said that my acting is good, so I'm super happy.

04:32I know you're not a trained actor, Kashmi.

04:34So was that a good thing?

04:36Or you just love acting?

04:38You just don't want to go to like a school or anything?

04:40You think I was born to act?

04:42I think that's true.

04:44Really?

04:46Is that what you just woke up and you're like, I'm going to be an actress?

04:49That's all started before.

04:52Before that, I was more passionate about dancing.

04:57I used to dance all the time.

05:00When I was like a baby and I was six to eight months,

05:03I would move my body on the beats.

05:06I didn't understand anything, but I would just move it.

05:10I used to wake up like my mama would play the song.

05:13And I would wake up dancing like that.

05:16Oh, that is so cute.

05:17Is Bollywood where you want to be ultimately?

05:20Is that your dream?

05:21You're already in a web series, which is a great start.

05:24With Samantha Prabhu and then it's backed by Russo Brothers.

05:28It's as big as it gets, but what's your ultimate now?

05:31Where do you go next?

05:33I mean, yes, my dream is always to become an actor.

05:36When I grow up, I want to be an actor.

05:39I want to be not only an actor, I want to be a good actor too.

05:44Who also acts good, not just saying I'm an actor.

05:48I mean, I want to be an all-rounder.

05:51I also want to be a singer, I was thinking.

05:56I want to be good at dancing.

05:59I want to learn new things too, like gymnastics.

06:02I know a bit.

06:03I want to learn aerial now.

06:05I want to learn it.

06:07And yeah, I always want to keep on learning new stuff.

06:11So I think, yeah.

06:12Yeah, that's where you want to be as well.

06:14I know you're just nine years old, right?

06:16I want to become the next PC.

06:19Oh, next PC?

06:20Really?

06:21Is she your idol though?

06:22Yes, I mean, she went from Bollywood to Hollywood.

06:26And I think that I want to start up in Bollywood.

06:30And yes, she is really a very good inspiration.

06:33The way she started, she's in Bollywood, then she's in Hollywood.

06:36And now she's going up and up and up and up.

06:39That is true.

06:40That is true.

06:41No, no, she makes us incredibly proud.

06:43Being in Dubai, is that a great thing though?

06:45Do you think at finally you guys, I mean, you'll ask your parents maybe,

06:48let's go to Mumbai, try our hand at full time.

06:52Have you thought of it?

06:53You're all of nine years old.

06:54I don't think you can make these decisions.

06:56But do you tell your parents that?

07:00I mean, you know, I've just done one project now.

07:04But then I think my next project, though we don't plan or anything,

07:10but it might be like after two or three years or something like that.

07:13No, you never know.

07:14Yeah.

07:15You never know.

07:16Are you still on the lookout?

07:17Like, has the acting bug caught you?

07:19And you're like, you know what, if something comes along?

07:21Yes, I do want to still act.

07:23I mean, I miss the sets.

07:24I really miss the sets.

07:27But I mean, then at the same time, I also don't want to miss school.

07:32Okay, so you want both?

07:34Yeah.

07:35There's always home learning.

07:36So it's hard to decide.

07:37But I mean, I like to go to physical school more.

07:40Because when it's home learning, I mean, you don't really get to make friends.

07:44What did your friends say about you?

07:46Have you become the most popular child in school now?

07:50That used to be in my previous school.

07:54Everyone would just come up and randomly start saying,

07:56are you Kashmi?

07:57Are you in that ad?

07:59Are you in that this?

08:00And I'm like, yeah.

08:01But now, in my new school, people didn't know me before.

08:05But now people are starting to recognise me.

08:07Like, my classmates were like, you know, we were stalking you for four hours yesterday.

08:12Really?

08:13Yeah.

08:14And they know everything about it.

08:15I danced with Nora.

08:16And from all my shanties, they were like,

08:18either I'm in this OTT and they're going to watch it and stuff.

08:22I'm like, now people are, yeah, now they're starting to recognise me.

08:26Even your trailer launch was kind of popular.

08:29Because you kind of stole the thunder from both Varun and Samantha.

08:32All these adults, with your cuteness.

08:34Was that a fun thing as well?

08:36Wasn't that your first taste of success, of being in the limelight?

08:40Yeah, I think that really was.

08:43I mean, it was actually super duper me.

08:47I mean, it was just me.

08:48I just spoke my heart out there.

08:51So, it was a really fun event.

08:54And really, you know, it was my first event,

08:58a proper event that I attended.

09:01So, yeah, it was really special and I look forward to more.

09:04I know, I love it.

09:05And what is the best part about acting with Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu

09:09and being directed by Rajan DK,

09:11who are like one of the best series directors that's out there?

09:16With Rajan DK, sir, I had splendid fun.

09:19So much fun.

09:20Like, it's indescribable.

09:23Every time, like, the first day,

09:26he was super duper nice to me.

09:28Like, you know, when we were in the middle of the shoot,

09:31they were like, you know, when they were setting up the cameras and all of that,

09:34because we had an early call time and all.

09:36So, at the time we were waiting,

09:38you know, they would play games with me and all of that.

09:40They would play this game.

09:42And then, sometimes Raksha would win.

09:45Sometimes I would win.

09:47Right, right.

09:48So, it was a lot of fun.

09:49So, for the first acting gig,

09:51you have the fondest memories of.

09:53Yes.

09:54Do you think?

09:55I really have the best memories.

09:56No, I'm so glad.

09:57And I think you're going to, like, do a lot more.

09:59Like, I'm going to see you a lot more.

10:01Something tells me.

10:02And you've done so well in Citadel.

10:04Well done, you.

10:05Thank you so much.

10:06And you're all of nine years old.

10:07And here is she, making strides in Bollywood and beyond.

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