Interview: Zarine Khan
By: Sima Malhotra
There was a time when Zarine Khan had to abandon her academic goals and career dreams because she had to go out and work in order to help her family financially survive. Never did she have aspirations to be an actress, let alone royalty.
Now she is living amongst a royal family and claiming her title as princess.
While the royalty setting is fictional, the dream-life that Zarine suddenly found herself in is certainly no Cinderella story, as the one-time aspiring doctor and former model stars opposite Bollywood superstar Salman Khan as Princess Yashodhara in the upcoming period piece Veer.
In a whirlwind of change, Zarine went from struggling everyday girl to heartthrob Bollywood actress whom everyone observes resembles Katrina Kaif – coincidentally Salman Khan’s real-life girlfriend.
“Everything happened so very unexpectedly,” Zarine told reporters this week in anticipation of Veer’s release. “I was never aspiring to be an actress, and (now) I got a chance to work opposite Salman in a project which he calls his dream.”
Prior to landing Veer’s leading role as Princess Yashodhara, Zarine was struggling to make ends meet as an aspiring model, taking whatever gig came her way – including accepting invitations to visit sets.
She got the call to visit the set of Yuvraaj when Zarine suddenly found her break, as it was there she met Salman Khan and discussed the possibility of her taking the lead role as his love interest in Veer.
“During my modeling days, I got a call one day from someone at Mukta Arts and they asked me to come to the set of Yuvraaj,” Zarina recalled in her chat with reporters. “Being a struggling model, I didn’t ask too many questions and immediately left for the venue. When I reached the set, I saw Salman Khan.
“After the shoot, I got a chance to speak to him and … requested his autograph. He obliged … but also told me, ‘Sweetheart, very soon you will be signing autographs.’ I didn’t quite understand what he meant but understood … later when I was offered Veer.”
Now, Zarine looks at her role in a 19th century period piece as a unique start to a promising acting career. Indeed, she told reporters starting off in a period piece was not a handicap but instead a blessing.
“It’s certainly not a drawback to start with a period film. On the contrary, it’s an advantage because, while other girls get to play a part like this at a later stage in their careers once they are thoroughly established, I have this opportunity so early on. This is why I love to treat Veer as a feather in my cap.”
Set in 1825, Zarine portrays a beautiful princess, and her relationship with a bold warrior is against the backdrop of a tight-fisted colonial British regime. It is a theme Zarine wished could be taken off-screen and recreated at the film’s premiere.
“I wish we would have an 18th century theme at the premiere, and I would love to wear something of that era like I have worn in the film,” Zarine jested with reporters.
However, the freshly minted actress is happy she is in a situation where she can wish for an elaborately designed premiere instead of putting off her dreams and hoping her family had enough food and money to survive.
“I always aspired to be a doctor, but financial constraints didn’t let me pursue my dreams. Fate had something else in store for me, and I ended up signing small modeling assignments,” Zarine humbly said. “I didn’t, even in my wildest dreams, think I would become an actor. However, being an actress, I think now I can accomplish my other pursuit of becoming a doctor as well.”
When Veer hits the screens this Friday, Zarine’s wildest dreams will come true, and she will indeed find it easier to accomplish many of her pursuits beyond the medical profession.
