I willed It..

The universe conspired to make this self-confessed tomboy, MOHENJO DARO’s Chosen One! Gorgeous debutante, POOJA HEGDE shares her joy and fears with SHUBARNA MUKERJI SHU.

- Shubarna Mukerji Shu

It doesn’t get bigger than MOHENJO DARO, what are you feeling right now?

First film is like the audition to the world. No one turns around and says, ‘For her first film she has done well!’ You either get it or you don’t. Currently, I am very nervous; I am not feeling the pressure yet because I have put my faith in Ashu sir (Ashutosh Gowariker). He doesn’t settle for mediocrity, he is someone who will ensure he gets the best out of you. Of course, he gave me lots of time, Hrithik too was very understanding. Now it is upon you, the media to make or break it for me.

Weren’t you overawed by everything that was around you?

I cannot explain what I was feeling the first day that I was there. Of course, I was awed by the kind of detailing that went into; it was amazing. It took me one day to just walk through MOHENJO DARO… the sets were so beautifully detailed. If there was a torch, the walls around it were blackened because of course, there had to be soot if the torch had been used. The way the dolls were carved was unfinished, because in those days they didn’t have the kind of tools to smoothen it. The best part is that the sets, which awed me so much, look even more beautiful onscreen. Everything is amplified and made so grand.

I cannot get over the part where you said ‘walked through MOHENJO DARO’ …Who does that? How did you relate to this whole era?

You said it - who does that?! People might have visited the excavated ruins of Mohenjo Daro, but no one has seen it in all its glory. Brick for brick, it has been recreated for the film. I truly felt like I was among the chosen few to have been able to walk the bazaars they created.