New Delhi Prachi Desai, who will be seen playing the role of a coy 70s girl in upcoming film Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, says the role was a complete transition for her and something she will never come across again.
The 22-year-old actress, who made her Bollywood debut with Rock On!, had a hard time mastering the mannerism, style and body language right to play the character of Mumtaz, a middleclass conservative girl in the film, releasing July 30.
"If the film was set in today's time, I would have taken an entirely different approach to play this part. Since the film is set in 70s, I had to look at it from the point of view of a girl who had lived in the era gone by. Just imagine the difference between a girl from the 70s and today; it's enormous", said Desai.
"This character belongs to a conservative Muslim family from the 70s. She is so shy, coy and reserved. Also, what had to be kept in mind was her soft spoken nature which means her choice of words and facial expressions had to be very reserved. It was tough to play such a part because you have not lived life like her," said Prachi.
Ever since this Milan Luthria directed film was announced, there have been so many stories floating around every character in 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai' being based on some real life personality.
Ajay Devgn is said to be reprising the character of Haji Mastan while Kangana enacts the role of Sona, an upstart actor in the 70s while Emraan Hashmi is reliving the role of Dawood Ibrahim. One wonders who was the reference point for Prachi?
"It would be unfair to say that all of us have some or the other reference point in the film," the actress said adding that she got inspired by Mumtaz for her looks.
"The only reference point that I had with Mumtazji and that too from the look perspective. Since my character in the film is also called Mumtaz, it became all the more interesting since I could bring in the charm, cuteness, innocence and vulnerability if Mumtazji," said Prachi.
The actress said she was initially apprehensive to play the role without any reference but director Milan Luthria stopped her from watching old movies because he wanted to preserve the innocence of the character.
"As for the characterisation by itself, Milan told me not to go by any reference. He told me that this character had to be an innocent confidante of Emraan and someone who was very real. Ultimately, I played this normal and natural girl who was as realistic as it gets," Prachi said.
