Eyes on the Prize

The Canadian beauty and dancing queen, who was once an outsider, has surely made her mark in the industry and on our hearts, winning over the entire nation with her sartorial ways.

- CHITMAN KANWAR AHUJA

Between signing big Bollywood and international projects, and lighting the silver screen on fire with her killer dance moves, Nora Fatehi has had a whirlwind year. A glimpse at her career roster suggests that this fast-paced excitement will continue unabated. Nora began her career with acting in films and made heads turn with her music video debut in Naah, for which she was highly praised, and soon became an instant hit in hearts of the audiences. Soon after that she captured the hearts of filmmakers and fashion mavens alike, while staying in complete control of her career; wowing the viewers with item numbers such as Dilbar, Kamariya, O Saki Saki, and her latest hit Garmi, from the film Street Dancer 3D.

Addressing her ordeal so far, and how she overcome the obstacles that came in her way, Nora speaks her heart out to us in this tête-à-tête. Edited excerpts...

Growing up, who did you admire the most and what inspired you to become an actor?

I always knew I wanted to become an actor or a performer, as I always admired artists from Bollywood, Hollywood, and even the Middle East. Artists such as Madhuri Dixit, Helen, Beyoncé, and Rihanna inspired me to polish my skills and work harder.

How was your initial journey on the silver screen? What were the challenges that you faced?

The initial journey was definitely a tough one, it wasn’t as if I began receiving film offers straightaway. I first had to learn Hindi, and then go in for auditions like everyone else. Soon enough, I began to understand what it takes to ace those auditions and overcome my fears. I started off with small films that did not do well, eventually moving into the Southern film industry, followed by reality shows, and gradually Bollywood songs. My mantra in life has been to maintain a ‘never say never attitude’, and always work to the best of my abilities.