Prachi Desai on Once Upon a Time in Mumbai and more

Prachi Desai is so down-to-earth it is almost impossible to believe she is only in her early twenties. She actually looks even younger, which may be something to do with her porcelain skin, but she seems to have a maturity far beyond her years, because her debut film Rock On proved it. And then you think - What a life this girl has got! Right when she was on the top of her game in the television medium, she quit to join films. That was once upon a time. Now, the results are pretty evident. In contrast to the slickness of the setting of her latest offering, Prachi is looking decidedly unflashy in Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. But that works and how. Apart from a thin lick of eyeliner and mascara, her face is devoid of make-up, which only serves to emphasise her beauty: striking black, wide-set eyes, perfect teeth, and a regular smile which makes your heart melt. Drape her with the most expensive Giorgio Armani gown and yet she will look de-glam. Because Desai is that delicate flower. You can't dress it up. It'll just look de-glam yet beautiful and then lingers her mystic aroma whenever she appears. This season, get ready to experience just that. This correspondent gets into the mood retro and talks to the perfumed actress Prachi Desai about her first retro film, her fragrant beauty, her serial kissing co-star Emraan Hashmi, the ever experienced Ajay Devgn and her two golden word in which she describes Once Upon A Time In Mumbai - 'True Tarantino' style.

Critic's appreciation

I'm so happy that after Rock On, the critics have seen a better side of me in acting. Then came Life Partner and now my most challenging role I've ever done in Once Upon...I am eagerly awaiting the critics appreciation and my audiences too for my role and my film. I'm very confident that it'll do well.

De-glam / Make Up

I hope you're genuinely informing me the fact that people like me without make up. It's farcical to know that my audiences like me in the de-glam role (laughs). I personally do not like putting on a lot of make-up. I hate it. But my profession demands it (laughs). It's just that in films like Once Upon...you are lucky to be blessed with a de-glam image and less make up. I've got very dark eyes for the period look in the film.

Challenging

Rock On stays as my best ever role because it was my first ever. Rock On is special. Once Upon... is on that special phase in my life. I hope to make my stand more concrete after the release of this film and hope I'm taken seriously as an actress in our industry.

Deliberate

Absolutely yes. It's a deliberate approach on my part not to sign too many films. Rock On happened with no plans and I'm too fortunate. Luckily, it worked too. So I had to give that break to my viewers in general. Viewers of television have seen enough of me every day in the daily soaps. If they saw me every month in films, they'll be disconnected with me (laughs). It somehow became tough for the people to perceive me differently. I need to give them a break more than I take one (laughs). Considering the fact that I do not come from a film family but television makes it even more deliberate. But all this doesn't make me the desperate one too (laughs).

Women in gangster flicks

Women are as important as guns are for these gangsters. In the film's context, they (women) are the only other factors who are so dear to them. This film would not have taken off without the presence of these women. The love story is an integral part of this film.

Dimple Kapadia

Oh God! Till date I've never met her. I would love to meet Dimpleji one day. Luckily, I've not even got a phone call from her which I did expect after doing an impression of Bobby. I was the worried one during the shoot and till today. I don't know if I've actually done justice by wearing the costume of Bobby.

Emraan Hashmi

You know what? I always had this feeling after doing the film that the conflict that arises in the story is so much real that Emraan hasn't played a character like this before in any of his films. It's not only his looks but also his attitude. He speaks like the people in the 70's and 80's did. There are too many grey shades to him in this film and he does it so convincingly. Convincingly because his part in the film is of a guy who is hundred percent convinced about what he does. This will be one film for which he will get lots of accolades and acknowledgements and his kissing image will soon diminish (laughs).

Ajay Devgn

I've grown up watching Ajay's film. He is a phenomenal actor and we saw that in RGV's Company. He is back to business here. It's grim and tough. Ajay and Milan go back a long way since their first film together Kachche Dhaage. But as everyone knows, Ajay is the biggest prankster ever. It's strange but he comes across as a shy guy. Company didn't have the retro touch to it. I think it could've worked better if it had. This one is going to make him stand out more I feel.

Once Upon a Time in Mumbai

If I had to sum up the film in two words, it'd be 'Pukka Tarantino' stuff (laughs). That's what many have said after watching the film. I hope it stands true.