She's been there, done that. She's perfected her make-up and preened for the cameras. Only, then it was for the Channel [V] music shows and, later, for the prestigious Miss India beauty pageant in 2007. But now, her attention has shifted to the bright lights of the Bollywood studios. Despite being accustomed to the hoopla surrounding the celeb circus, Sarah Jane Dias was euphoric about romancing B-town royalty Abhishek Bachchan for her debut. Her baby Bollywood steps (in Abhinay Deo's Game) might've received favourable response from the critics, but the movie didn't win many followers. Despite its disappointing box office showing, Dias is gung-ho about the love coming her way. "Honesty is much appreciated honestly," quips the chirpy lady over an exclusive telephone chat.
So, any jitters before Game hit the theatres?
Yes, of course. I think everyone's really excited about their first film; anyone would be. It was a mix of anxiousness, nervousness and a whole bunch of things.
And when you watched yourself on the big screen?
It was unbelievable… incredible. I've worked on television before, but I never realised how I wasn't prepared for this. It's kind of overwhelming actually.
What were you doing before you started in Bollywood?
Well, I did a bunch of things. I was a model, then I dabbled with VJing (for Channel [V]), a lot of TV commercials, joined the Miss India pageant, did some more work and finally signed up for my first film.
Were you VJing just before you got the role in Game?
Just before Game I wasn't doing anything; just going for auditions.
Being an newcomer to movies, how would you describe your foray into the world of glitz and glamour? Was it easy or tough?
It was a bit of both. It was easy because I had worked on TV before, as in, I wasn't camera-shy. It was tough because technically you are an outsider and you need to prove yourself on a constant basis. You're only as good as your last job. But I think growth in any industry requires some challenges; I don't think it's limited to mine. So, it's not something that defeated me.
Were you apprehensive about setting foot in the "big, bad world" of Bollywood?
Umm... No, not scared. I think it's something that would happen, but naturally; any business has politics and competition. That's the name of the game, I guess.
Did you have to wait for long before this big project came along?
Not really long. I was fortunate to be working all the time. So, it's wasn't a really long wait.
Ahead of Game, you worked with B-town celebs Saif and Kareena on a TV ad, right?
Yeah. I've also done an ad with Ranbir Kapoor. So, this is not my first tango with Bollywood, but it's definitely my first Bollywood film.
So, did these interactions, in any way, prepare you to hang out with the celebs without going gaga?
I was still very star struck. The day I saw Abhishek, Kangana… I was in awe of them. I think it's natural to feel that way when you work with a star.
You play Abhishek's lady love. Did you have butterflies in your stomach?
Abhishek has a great energy going around him. He's just great fun to have on the sets; very well-read and witty. It's a learning experience. Not only is he a good actor, he's a great human being. The experience of working with him is something I'll not forget.
How was your first shoot with him?
The first shoot was the most challenging actually. I was a mix of nerves. But Abhinay (the director) is a systematic person and we had had reading sessions earlier. So, Abhishek and I had discussed the scene before. That gave me enough time to warm up!
There's a lot of buzz about your dance track Mekhi Mekhi. So, are you a trained ballerina as reported?
It's absolutely incorrect. I think it started out as a sarcastic comment and people just started believing it (laughs).
Considering you lacked the initial training, how demanding was it to make your moves (in the club track) convincing?
It required a lot of effort. I watched a lot of Madhuri Dixit because she's classy. Her style wasn't the same but I thought it was a great training ground. I think if you want to be a good actor you need to observe. Then, I watched Chicago and Moulin Rouge, and sort of tried to emulate that class, structure and that touch-me-not kind of vibe. It was extremely challenging because I'm not a trained dancer. I come from a free, hip-hop-styled background. But Mekhi Mekhi involved a mix choreography of salsa and lifts. I'm grateful to my hair, make-up and wardrobe team, and to my director and choreographer Vaibhavi, because when I finally stood in front of the mirror, I felt like a dancer. And honestly, I didn't know I'd be appreciated so much for my efforts.
So, has life changed post-Game?
Definitely, it has. Everyone's being so generous with their compliments and being genuine about their inputs. Yes, it's overwhelming but it's also very humbling at the same time. The people from the industry who've seen girls come and go, are being so warm towards me. It's a beautiful feeling when people approach me for work.
Are you a certified A-lister now, with photo and autograph requests from fans?
Well, I was shopping at Zara the other day and a lady asked me to take a picture. And I thought she wanted me to take a picture for her, but she wanted one with me! So, it took me a moment to get the drift. So, yeah, it's very strange and it gets even more strange when I go back home to Muscat (where she grew up). You don't get stared at in Mumbai because it's like living in LA, where you aren't star-struck. But when you leave the city you realise how much of an impact you have on people. In Mumbai, life is still quite normal but in Muscat I feel like, "Wow, this is big".
But, I literally sink into denial about these things. In my head nothing has happened; my film hasn't come out. I can still go for a stroll and go vegetable shopping. It's important to do that because it keeps me grounded. And I hope it doesn't change me.
So, how has a day in the life of Sarah Jane changed?
Well, for one, I've gotten busier than I already was. I've little or no time to breathe… I'm constantly on the phone. But I'm enjoying it all!
You actually debuted in the South Indian film industry (a Tamil film titled Theeradha Vilaiyattu). Any particular reasons for this move?
It's just the journey, right. Acting is acting and if you have the opportunity to explore it in another language then it should be explored. I've already signed a Telugu film (titled Shadow with Pawan Kalyan). Well, most girls today work down South (India). Genelia (D'Souza) has an impressive career down South. So does, Kangana (Ranaut), Aishwarya (Rai Bachchan), Deepika (Padukone) and Katrina (Kaif). And a lot of them did movies in the South before they came to Mumbai. The industry out there is different. It's like once you get a grounding there, you aren't caught off-guard when you work here.
So, what's your game plan after Game?
I've had some interesting offers. I've been approached for two interesting characters and I'm hoping to sign one.
Sarah Jane on...
Making a style statement: "I believe in keeping it comfortable and casual. I refuse to wear anything that I'm not comfortable in."
Fashion know-how: "I don't know what the latest Dior bag looks like, but I do love the brand and I do know that I'd pick a bag in a heartbeat. But, if you show me a rack of clothes I couldn't tell you what the latest collection is. While I love fashion, I'm not one of those seriously fashion-savvy people. I mean that's why you have a stylist, right?"
Her fitness routine: "I've been working-out for about eight years now. It started out as an everyday thing, but now its come down twice or once a week. For a while I was boxing, then into kick-boxing, yoga and much later into hard-core weight training. Then I joined dance classes. I've done a bunch of things which have ensured that I don't put on weight."
Staying healthy: "I like healthy food. I like salads as much as pizza and pasta. I even eat salmon every three days. And I try to maintain a balance, I try not to over-eat unless it's biryani cooked by my Muslim friend or my mum's cooking. The key is to regularly eat small meals."
Her handbag must-haves: "Lip gloss, cell phones, house keys, wallet and hand sanitiser."
What drives her: "I don't know how to say this without sounding philosophical. It's belief. It's belief that you can attack anything… belief in me, my parents, the universe, in people. I'm so unnaturally passionate about anything in life that it annoys people. I think that's what gives you hope."
Her turn-offs: "Erm… hypocrisy and lies."
New media: "I'm a facebooker, but soon I'll be on twitter."
