In 1931, there was this landmark Charlie Chaplin starrer romcom American flick ‘City Lights’. This time, we have our own desi Bollywood ‘City Lights’ starring Rajkummar Rao opposite debutante Patralekhaa, directed by the acclaimed director Hansal Mehta. The central theme of ‘City Lights’ is inspired by the award winning British and Filipino movie ‘Metro Manila’ (2013).
While the noted National Award winner, actor Rajkummar’s amazing theatrical is evident with his cinematic track record, it is his ‘real-life’ girlfriend cum co-star Patralekhaa, who is making waves these days. Those who have watched the sneak previews ( including Vidya Balan) are all in praise for this newbie winsome model turned actress. Apparently, she has displayed sensitive intensity in some of the complex scenes in ‘City Lights’ as a helpless wife and a mother who confronts her frustrated husband. Enthuses Patralekhaa ( aka Anwita Paul) said, “It’s an emotionally exhausting and challenging multi-faceted role of a small town young woman 'Raakhee’ who later gets entangled in the city's night life, and the web of playing a raunchy bar-girl,” smiles the actress who has this fleeting similarity with charming actress Divya Dutta. Wasn’t she jittery romancing her real-life co-star boyfriend Rajkummar Rao during the shoot ?
“Initially, I was very self conscious with the entire crew watching us. But then Hansal sir prodded us into a comfort zone, when we switched over to our screen characters where we play husband and wife and then it was fine,” insists Patralekhaa, who scotches speculations that she bagged the lead role in ‘City Lights’ on her boyfriend’s recommendation. “While its true that we are seeing each other, the fact is that I was signed mainly on my potential merit.
Actually I had to go through five rounds of auditions and look-tests before they signed me on. Why would a prestigious production houses launch me, if I was unable to meet their high expectations,” counters the spontaneous actress who is also willing to enact lovey dovey roles and play bold characters to prove her versatility. And definitely not only opposite her off screen beau Rajkummar.