Woman on the verge

PRATIBHA RANTTA MADE HER PRESENCE FELT AS ONE OF THE LEADS IN LAAPATAA LADIES. TANZIM PARDIWALLA INTERVIEWS THE SURE-FOOTED YOUNGSTER

- PRATIBHA RANTTA

Pratibha Rantta, the doe-eyed newcomer from Shimla who rose to prominence with the delightful film Laapataa Ladies directed by Kiran Rao, a heartfelt satire about women in Indian society, is living a dream she doesn't want to wake up from. "It's been weeks since the release, and I'm still enjoying the love. There are constant DMs coming in," she says, her bubbly voice brimming with excitement as she talks about the appreciation pouring in for her portrayal of Jaya in the film. She has harboured dreams of becoming an actress since childhood. "My family recognised my passion for acting and dancing at a very young age. They'd say 'bacchi ka shauq hai.' When I was in 8th standard and my friends were deciding what to do with their lives, some said they wanted to be doctors and teachers. And I realised I can't relate to that at all. I only saw myself as an actor."