After your father's unfortunate death, your mother and you moved to Kenya. Was acting destined? Was the move back easy?
Oh no, it wasn't easy at all! One would assume that if you are a daughter of so-and-so, you would find work easily. But I didn't.
Most producers would complain about my accent and the fact that my dad's memory had almost faded. But I believe that acting is in one's genes. So I stuck around.
Then when Amrita Arora was out of Victoria No 203, I jumped at the chance. I met (producer) Kamal Sadana and (director) Anant Mahadevan, gave an audition, and here I am!
To fill Saira Bano's shoes isn't easy for a newcomer but I have worked really hard and given my best.
Your father has left behind a formidable legacy as an actor. Does that put pressure on you?
It does sometimes. (Pauses) I was his little princess and he would get me shoes from Bloomingdale's and toothbrush from Tiffany's. I had stuff that a little girl could only dream of.
Even today, I keep watching his best films. Ghar is my personal favourite. I love Lal Pathar and Anurag too. I believe that I can be as good as him with time.
Victoria No 203 took a long time to get made.
Yes, but that was not a problem. With so much shooting happening in real locations, and with keeping the authenticity of the plot, the film was bound to take time.
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