FHM girl next: Aradhana Jagota

Hello Aradhana, the traveller. We’ll admit that we have been stalking you for some time now.

(Haha) you stalker! But yes, I do love travelling. Whenever I get time, I am off to some destination or the other.

So, what’s the worst place you have travelled to?

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I would like to call it the worst best place. And that would be Venice. I fell in love with the city, the moment I set foot in it. And now all I can think of is going back there, but haven’t got the time or the opportunity.

And what’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten on a tour?

The weirdest one would have to be an octopus, but that was ages back. I’ve been a vegetarian for quite some time now.

How excited are you about your debut?

I’m very excited about making my debut into films with Kerry On Kutton. And why wouldn’t I! After all it’s my first time (haha). But on a more serious note, I’m glad that I got this film because I got to play a girl who is fierce, strong, independent and has some shades of grey, right in my very first film. Actresses usually get such characters after doing a certain amount of work.

What’s your role in the movie?

I play Jyoti Chauhan, a 16-year-old school girl in a small town called Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. She is a rebel like the boys in the film. She uses her charm to get what she wants. Once her mind is set on something she makes sure that she gets it by all means possible.

Are you close to the character you are playing in the movie... a materialistic, beautiful girl?

Materialistic – not at all, I like to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Beautiful – you tell me? Jyoti is completely different from me as a person and I do not relate to her at all. In fact, that is what instigated me to play the character.

Oh, beautiful would be an understatement coming from us. Moving on, you have a typical girl next door image. Would you like to change that?

I think I would like to stick to my girl next door image because, I feel as an actor, a girl next door can easily slip into the skin of a bold and hot girl and at the same time, act as a down to earth, simple girl. It’s always an added advantage to play upon the image (winks).

What is better? Modelling or Bollywood?

Both have their own perks. But if I have to pick one, I will pick acting. I’ve been in love with acting since I was in school.

Tell us more about yourself. Where did you grow up? How fun was your childhood?

I was born in New Delhi in a Punjabi family. My dad’s a civil engineer and mom’s a textile designer. The first 20 years of my life were spent in Delhi. My parents always tell me that right from early childhood, I was very ‘lady-like’ in my mannerisms. My first contact with Bollywood was at the age of two-and-ahalf years, copying Madhuri ma’am. I wrote her a letter as a fan and I got a reply too. When I was eight, I started copying Juhi ma’am, and as luck would have it, I acted in a Kurkure advertisement with her at the age of 19.

What type of TV shows, books and movies interest you?

I’m an avid rom-com reader when it comes to books, a few of my favourites being — What’s Your Number and Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella. I follow quite a few American TV shows like Game of Thrones, Outlander, The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. I’m a big movie buff and like watching all the genres. But Yash Chopra movies touch my heart every time, no matter how many times I watch them.

Let’s talk about guys and let’s get it straight. Are you currently seeing someone?

No, not at the moment. I’m very much single (winks).

What do you like about men?

Chivalry and good sense of humour are what I like the most in men. A guy who can make me laugh will always get that extra mark.

Five things that a man should do to get your attention?

Umm... He should have the confidence to walk up to me and start a conversation. He must look into my eyes while talking to me; this is the sign of confidence in a guy. He has to be able to make me laugh. He needs to treat me like an equal. He’s got to be adventurous. I don’t ask for much, now, do I (laughs)?

If you had to be one half of a lesbian romance and had to pick a female co-star, who would it be?

Oh, it’s weird but I have my answer ready. It has to be Scarlett Johansson hands down. I don’t even have to think twice about that.

What’s the nicest compliment you have received so far? And how about the weirdest?

The nicest compliment that I have received was when someone said to me, “You are beautiful from the inside as well as the outside.” And the weirdest one was, “Now that I’ve met you I feel so satisfied in life that I can jump off this building and die.”

If you get the power to turn into anyone you want, living or dead, for one day, who would you choose and why?

I would turn into James Cameron and make a beautiful romantic film like Titanic and cast Aradhana in it as the leading lady (winks).

Do you have a secret tattoo? If not, do you wish to get inked?

I’m not a big tattoo fan. I somehow feel that God has made human bodies so perfect that tattoos would just end up spoiling the perfection.

What do you think you look sexiest in?

My sexiest self comes in an evening gown.

If you had the chance to change a thing about yourself, what would it be?

I sleep a lot! I think that would be the only thing that I would like to change about myself.

What’s the sexiest dress in your closet? Would you mind describing it in detail...

Umm... now that’s a brain scratcher! It will have to be this black backless body hugging, full length gown which highlights my figure. I look like the Filmfare trophy in that dress (haha).

What do you like wearing to bed?

Oh, I love cartoon character pyjamas. They are so comfy (haha). Told you, I’m very girly!

Could you describe your most memorable date for us?

It was a candle light dinner on a beach, followed by a long walk with the blissful sound of waves acting as soothing music to our ears.

When and where do we see you next?

You will be seeing me in Kerry On Kutton. Keep yourself free for our date (winks). I hope you guys like it.

From the July 2016 issue of FHM India.