“The Awakening, as I call it, is essential for finding success. Every individual needs to be aware of what they are doing with their life.”
Awaken your fortune: We need to ask: are we happy? It’s essential to be responsible for what one does in life. I’m at a point in life, I want to open up. I want to know what is happening in the world around me. I was once closed and unaware. I couldn’t see life beyond my world. Now, I want to participate in life. I don’t want to be a bystander anymore. I’m not 18, I’m 21, and willing to change the wrongs I’ve done. Earlier, I wasn’t prepared. Now, I’m willing to face life and embrace it. I’m willing to take challenges. I’m willing to awaken the good in my life!
Lesson in humility: My life is a struggle. Where’s the glamour in real life? It doesn’t exist. There’s pressure to look good, be a certain way, work long hours — you’re giving it your all. I’ve been through a phase when the pressure was too great. I had to manage everything. I often felt like a loser. Now, when the going is good, I feel centred. I feel humble. That’s the secret of my life. The big quality of being an actor is — finding humility. It gives you emotional peace and mental strength.
Find strength: Especially in days of hell and heaven. From heartbreak to professional triumph — you need strength for both success and failure. Yoga has taught me that. It’s made my mind powerful. Watch my performance in my upcoming film directed by Mohit Suri, and you’ll know what I mean. Today, to be successful in Bollywood, you need to have the strength of a superwoman. Or else the pressure is too much. You can’t let yourself be emotionally vulnerable. You need physical strength too — be fit and eat right. Our job takes so much from us.
Indulge in ‘Me’ moment: Finding yourself in the celebrity world can be difficult, sometimes impossible. Yoga helped me, unleash a new energy. It helped me find answers to my soul and myself. I believe in karma and kismet. There’s energy in us waiting to be tapped — it takes you to a higher level. When you find creative energy, it takes it brings out the best in you. I realise spirituality has immense power.
Positively speaking: What gives me great positivity is practising patience. I know everything will be okay in the end. So, when the days are grey, I tell myself, life is going to be beautiful. I’m sure 2009 will be a great year. You need to be positive to be creative, because in our jobs we need the energy of a goddess. It helps you fight the devils!
Get Serious: Your image matters. I don’t want to be perceived as some sex symbol of India. I don’t want to be known as a piece of flesh. I want to be known for my work, not for my cleavage or buttock or having love affairs. Someday, I’ll be a brilliant director. So, I need to be serious what image I portray to the world.
Don’t celebrate the celebrityhood: I don’t want celebrity status. I’m an artiste. I have energy which I need to use carefully. My search doesn’t end in finding celebrity status, it goes beyond. It goes beyond success. I’m looking for answers beyond the celebrity world.
Make a difference: Life is about honesty. You need to ask, what are your goals. Selfish pursuit of success isn’t always satisfactory, we need more. I need to believe I can make a difference, too. Real difference. That feeling is great. Everyone should script a greater life for themselves.
Love, love AND love: I don’t have friends. But, I believe in love. Adhyayan Suman, the man in my life, has been amazing. I’ve discovered a new energy in me. I feel like a complete woman. We share thoughts, food, everything. Love makes you a nicer person. You see life from an unselfish dimension. For me, love is unconditional!