Dusky yet vivacious actress-model Anupriya Goenka who plays the pivotal role of Poorna, the ‘deglam’ distressed hostage ‘nurse’ in the latest YRF blockbuster ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ (TZH) (collections racing towards 350 crores) blushingly accepts the compliments that she is being showered with for her ‘highly realistic performance’. Counters Anupriya, “Yes, I put in my best. But then there was constant support from Salman Khan, director Ali Abbas Zafar and my co-stars including the Iranian actor Sajjad, who played the menacing terrorist leader Abu Usman. In fact, we even had a one-week prep-workshop with actual doctors to grasp the correct nursing and injecting procedures. Not surprisingly, Goenka goes ga-ga over co-star Salman for ‘being super-human’.
“My first movie shot involved me in nursing a wounded ‘Tiger’. With my theatre-drama background, I was not exactly intimidated, but conscious of his imposing star-aura. In order to make me feel comfortable, Salman-sir started humming songs and came up with witty punch-lines. Which in turn had me chuckling away. During that intense pre-climax nightmarish scene where I am strapped to a chair and a ticking time-bomb, Salman observed that I was actually crying and looking vulnerable. Instantly, he said ‘no tears – you have to be strong’ and he rectified the scene and now check the impact.”
Much before she started shooting for ‘TZH’, ‘showman’ Sanjay Leela Bhansali had already singled Anupriya for his controversial magnum opus ‘Padmaavat’ all set to release this Friday. The ‘TZH’ girl is playing (Shahid Kapoor) Raja Ratan Singh’s first wife Rani Nagmati. “That’s right. But I am sorry, I am not permitted to reveal any further about that movie as yet,” smiles the articulate actress who in the past, was also auditioned to play the lead role in ‘Sultan’ (it didn’t work out) by the same ‘TZH’ director Ali Abbas. Who is the ‘dream-hero’ Anupriya would love to be paired with, if she bags a romantic comedy movie in future ? “It’s got to be Ranbir Kapoor,” she gushes, with a blushing smile on her cheeks.
Who is the ‘dream-hero’ Anupriya would love to be paired with, if she bags a romantic comedy movie in future? “It’s got to be Ranbir Kapoor,” she gushes, with a blushing smile.
