Nargis Fakhri: Alchemy of Desire

Stardom by design is often unreal, riotous and delusional. We catch up with the half-Czech, half- Pakistani actor Nargis Fakhri, as she talks about setting her boundaries and looking beyond, breathing it in and staying grounded, holding on and letting go, vacillating between self and ambition, making the right choices, and living it out within the sphere of feats and failures.

It is easy to get tangled and trampled upon, in Bollywood’s big, bad, infectious hedonism.

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Balancing success and celebrityhood, and the act of staying real is like walking a tightrope, and many-a-times, actors trip and fall, in their struggle, and in their attempt of trying too hard. For Nargis Fakhri however, the journey has been distinct peppered with her hits and misses. Big banners and meaty roles have been evasive; critiques not so nice, and some freak controversies have put her in the 'limelight'. Yet in the midst and mix of all the brouhaha, and brownie points, she has managed not to fall prey to its trappings, keeping her head on her shoulders. Despite the fact that arc lights and glamour continue to be a mainstay in the gorgeous actor's career, she has also been maintaining a fine balance between reel and real life, with alternate choices, as part of her lifestyle–be it organic gardening or adventure sports. A part to play in becoming the person that she is now, is also a childhood straddled with tough times, that she converted into opportunities to imbibe life’s multitude skills. We delve into the actor’s many facets, that makes the leading lady of Rockstar and Madras Cafe, stand apart in the crowd.

You have been quite an adventure junkie, sky diving in Dubai. What are the other sports, which you have enjoyed over the years? Also, how important is keeping fit for you?

I'm not really an adventure junkie, but I do enjoy trying out new things, welcome new experiences, whether good or bad. They all teach me something, and shape me into the person I am today. We are after all, the sum total of our experiences. I currently do not play any sport, but I used to enjoy tennis and volleyball. These days, it’s difficult to participate in any sport, due to my crazy schedule, which doesn't allow much time for consistent practising and playing.

Keeping fit, mentally and physically, are both very important to me. If one or the other is out of whack, my entire world can come crashing down. I have to make sure to feed my mind with positivity and my body with healthy food and exercise. When both are in balance, my perspective on life and how I feel, is amazing.

I was 65 kgs in June, and by October, I was 57 kgs. I found out about the many allergies that I had and then eliminated those foods that irritate my gut and intestines from my diet, completely. I've also discovered, how important leptin levels are and how to regulate them. I now have a specific way I eat and what I eat. And with only 30-60 minutes a day of workout, I feel fantastic. My workouts include, walking, yoga, Pilates, stretching, and swimming (when I have access to a pool).

How much did you research for the part in Azhar, where you play Sangeeta Bijlani?

Are there any Hollywood films based on real life stories, that you wish you were a part of?

I watched a few movies and researched online. Plus, I had the help of my director to break down the character and map it out with me. Since I am not from India, and didn't live in the country at the time in which the film is set, I was unaware of what took place way back in the day. So having someone else's input helped tremendously. A film based on a ‘real life story’ that I’d love to have been a part of, is The Conjuring. I'm obsessed with supernatural and horror films, and to know that this film is based on true events, makes it even more exciting for me!

You have declared your love for gardening. How did you pick that hobby?

Gardening to me, comes from the idea that, ‘whoever controls the food supply controls you!’ If I can grow my own natural-organic fruits and vegetables, then I can control my health and what goes into my body. Many people are not aware of what they are putting into their bodies. And now with GMOs (Genetically Modified Organism) out there, we really don't understand the side-effects yet we are eating it.

Gardening also fascinates me because, I am learning something about life and relationships. I recently killed my avocado seed, due to a few days of neglect. I learnt that in order to see great results and have the plant give you the fruit (happiness) you are looking for, it takes a lot of patience, love and care. If we applied that to our daily life, I think, we would be more satisfied. These days, it’s all about instant gratification, and on to the next; that is not working.

As an actress, which are the roles that you have done in the past, which proved to be challenging, and why?

Each and every role was challenging in its own way. I am not who those characters are, and so to be someone other than myself is difficult, yet interesting and challenging.

Tell us a bit about your new film Banjo with Riteish Deshmukh?

Not sure what I can tell you, but when I heard the narration of the film and read the script, I was very excited to be a part of it. It was one of those stories that you feel connected to in your heart and soul, and you know you want to be a part of it.

Jang, the Pakistani newspaper, carried an ad with you. It sparked an outrage in the media. Do you think, it was an instance of the lack of creative freedom?

I'm not sure why they chose to use the ad in this way, but I do understand it having the space for misunderstanding. I believe creative freedom is as important as cultural awareness and sensitivity. That's all I would like to say on the matter.

Which are your favourite books and authors, which you have enjoyed reading? Anyone of them has the potential of making a good film?

I'm not big on fiction reading. I usually read books on human psychology, spirituality, or natural medicine. And none of those would make a good, entertaining film (laughs).

Would you ever think of directing a film some day?

Not direction, but I'd love to write a script some day.

Can actresses really ever be friends? Have you found any such friend in the unforgiving world of Bollywood?

I have to say that I have enjoyed working with all my co-actresses; be it Ileana during Main Tera Hero or even Jacqueline and Lisa during Housefull 3. More than others, it matters what vibe you give out. Being an outsider in the business, I approach it like a job and believe in working with people as a team. That I believe helps keep things good and positive. The Housefull 3 girl gang was a lot of fun, very sweet and caring to each other and me. We all felt good being part of that film team, and encouraged each other. And that's always conducive to good work.

How important is finding the right guy and settling down, as Bollywood comes with a shelf life?

I'm an independent modern woman who does not need a man to make my life complete. However, if someone comes along, who is compatible with me, I might consider settling down. But it's not something on my "must-do" list. Some of the attributes I look for, are a sense of humour, intelligence, the need to travel and explore, emotional availability and humility.

Tell us about working with Melissa McCarthy in Spy. Would you ever consider doing what Ms Chopra did in Quantico?

I had a grand time working with Melissa. She was just fantastic. She's so funny and so caring. She used to adjust my jumpsuit for me and brush off the fuzz, if she saw something. Simply just so lovely!

I will certainly consider finding my way back home (America), and will eventually take the time off, like Priyanka did, and head to LA to do meetings and see what happens. It works very differently in the USA and Hollywood. You have to spend some time there, or constantly fly back and forth. But for now, I have a full schedule with four Bollywood films I'm a part of. The dream would be to work both in Hollywood and Bollywood, as I could never, and would never want to choose one over the other.

Any special moments you shared with Jude Law?

He's very friendly and we had some lovely conversations.

You have been named in the list of 15 of the most beautiful faces in the US. How important is looking good in an industry dominated by beauty and fickle friendships?

Whether you are in the “industry” or not, looking good is and should be important to everyone. When you look good, you feel good. You are positive and it changes how you experience life. We are all attracted to beauty in all forms—be it flowers, design, architecture, animals, etc...And each person finds different things beautiful. As they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.

Raised by a single mother, how much has that taught you?

I have learnt that sometimes, things don't work out the way you planned, but never give up, and make sure you have a plan A, B and even C. I learnt to trust and rely on myself. I know that education and a career is very important to me. I learnt that a man is not needed to complete me, nor needed even if I want kids. If I choose to have a family, I can do it on my own–if that's how I want to do it. I have learnt that even with no money, no family, no help, no job, no husband, no ability to communicate in the language (of the country you are living in) and residing in a foreign country with two small kids, with all those obstacles and burdens that life throws at you—where there is a will there is a way. Life is tough and cruel sometimes, but we must push forward.

Your mom, put you in a camp for low income kids, as a child. How did that help you evolve as a human being?

Going away for the summer, was the best thing she could have done. It kept me out of the trouble that plagued my neighbourhood, and I was able to meet different kinds of people, from all walks of life, which helped me know and believe that–I'm neither alone nor am I stuck in my situation. In a group of mixed races and cultures, you really learn a lot about others and yourself. You learn to have tolerance and compassion for others. You develop long lasting friendships and a sort of support system. Besides all that, it gave me the opportunity to experience things, I could never have experienced, like fishing, boating, canoeing, arts and crafts, ceramics, swimming, and so much more. Thinking back, I feel extremely grateful for that time in my life.

How do you deal with unpleasant Bollywood rumours? Ignore, or explain?

At this moment in time, I don't really read the paper or Google myself, so have no idea what rumours are out there. I'm pretty boring, and nothing exciting is happening, so my close people and I, know nothing written otherwise is true. So, I really don't bother.

Plus, there are more important things happening than gossip about myself, or for that matter anyone else.

Where do you see yourself 10 years down the line?

To be honest, I don't plan these things. I just go with the opportunities that come forth. I just live life, and I hope in 10 years, I am still alive and healthy (smiles)!

Is it important to have somebody in Bollywood to promote you, or just talent is enough?

I sometimes feel like I am an anomaly. I have come into this business by accident, without any help from anyone. I just do my job when I get a job. So, I don't really know and I don't want to make any assumptions, because it would not be fair to the others out there. I do think that talent is most important. And a little bit of luck or destiny definitely doesn't hurt.

Rapid Fire

A man with a fabulous body or brains... Brains.

Mom means…. The world!

Special person in your life… Myself.

A gift you cherish… My cross and heart from my BF and grandma. I have had it for 21 years now, and I have lost it several times, in various countries, but it always finds its way back to me.

A Czech dish you know how to make… Knedla and red cabbage with chicken.

Rockstar or Madras Cafe? Both.

If you could turn back time, what would you change? Nothing at all. We are the sum of our experiences, good or bad. It shapes who we are. I actually like the person I am today.

Photographs by Errikos Andreou. Styling by Aakanksha Jain. Jacket and pants, NARGIS'S OWN. Cuff, HERMÈS. Fashion assistant: TRISHLA CHADHA. Hair and makeup by: VENUS PEREIRA. Location courtesy: AQUASAIL INDIA. Production by: GRAVITY GRACE.

From the April 2016 issue of L’Officiel India.