How time flies! Actor Manushi Chhillar has just completed one year in Bollywood. The former Miss World reflected on her lessons from the industry during a heartfelt interview. From her disappointments to ticking off her bucket list goals, here’s what Manushi is up to today.
Over a year in Bollywood, what has changed for you? Still shy to introduce yourself as an actor?
Manushi Chhillar: I am getting used to it now. People called me Doctor and then Miss World. When I started working on my film, I thought about what I was saying. I am no longer a medical student or Miss World. I was going to be an actor. I grew up so far away from the industry. I guess for a long time I didn’t know what box I fit into. I’m finally an actor. It’s still relatively new.
In addition to entering the film, you also debuted at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Tell me about it
Manushi Chhillar: Cannes was a last minute decision. I flirted with the idea for a long time. Every time something or the other came up, but this time I finally went. I met a lot of great people, walked the red carpet and got to wear my beautiful dress. I checked one thing off my bucket list.
Were you one of those people who starved themselves before appearing on the red carpet?
Manushi Chhillar: Not at all. I had balls.
A lot of people from India came to the festival this year. What do you think about people who say that the focus at Cannes is now shifting to fashion rather than films?
Manushi Chhillar: I think we have to glamorize events so that people talk about them. Fashion has become such a big part of everyone’s life, not just actors. Fashion is an expression. As an actor, if your film is featured, you want to promote it in your capacity. Film festivals have many different aspects. Many people go with different brands. It is a fact that this industry is given such aspirational value. You wouldn’t normally wear such a big dress, would you? I think it makes such a big impact. Fashion plays a big part in getting people talking about Cannes. I know people who may not understand film as a filmmaker or critic, but they know the festival because of the fashion.
Fashion plays a big role. Did your Miss World experience help you in acting? Now that you’ve completed one year, do you think it was easy or difficult to establish yourself as an actor?
Manushi Chhillar: The pageant industry experience has added a lot of value but I am an outsider so it comes with a lot of challenges. It’s both easy and hard. Getting my first film was not as difficult as it would have been if I had come to Mumbai being Miss World. There was a lot of discussion in the media about who would launch me and there was a lot of excitement. I chose YRF. I remember being told, “We’d love to release you, but let us figure out how. You should audition.’
But after the first movie, you’re on your own. It’s not Miss World or pageant anymore. It’s more about who actually wants to work with you, or if people see potential in you. It’s a big cultural shift.
Have you encountered any stereotype challenges along the way, could it be because of your background?
Manushi Chhillar: There is a preconceived notion that pageant girls can’t act. Some of our best actors come from the glitz, be it Priyanka Chopra or Aishwarya Rai. I saw them as an audience and I thought they were really good actors because they were doing well. When I came here, people in the industry said to me, “Oh, you know, people think pageant girls can’t act, beauty queens can’t act”. Even at YRF they told me ‘You have to work a little harder because you have to overcome preconceived notions.’ I was not aware of it as such then.
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