SpotboyE.com
caught up with Secret Superstar’s lead actress, 17-year-old Zaira Wasim in
Aamir Khan’s office at Carter Road. The spunky and spirited girl spoke about
her growing up years in Kashmir, how she got picked by Aamir Khan Productions,
Dangal, Secret Superstar and much more, in this exclusive interview. Watch the
full interview in the video below:
What were you
doing when you got the call for Secret Superstar?
Let's start from Dangal.
I was everything you can think of... nervous, excited, intimidated. I remember
I had come back home from school and I saw my mother giving me a very
weird look. And I was like - Inko kya ho gaya aaj?! She asked me, “You know who
called?” She informed that Casting Director Mukesh Chabbra had called for a
film with Aamir Khan. I just lost it. I said WOW! I was in disbelief, of
course. I went for the audition and it lasted for a week, or maybe more than
that--- and then they called me after a month. That’s when they told me that
they had taken me on-board for Dangal.
Ye auditions ka bhoot aapko kahan se sawaar hua, you decided to become an
actress right there?
No. I never wanted to become an actress probably because I never thought
that I would get an opportunity. I never imagined for a second that this is
what I want to do. But destiny got me here.
You worked with Aamir in Dangal, did he tell you there and then that he
wants to cast you for Secret Superstar?
In the middle of the preps for Dangal, but before we started shooting for
it, I got a call for Secret Superstar. So even before I started shooting for my
first film, I had two films, that too under Aamir Khan Productions.
Zaira Wasim In Dangal
How different was your second film with Aamir? You had a certain equation
with him, was it easy? The role was tougher, I would say...
(Cuts in) The equation was similar. During the shoot of Dangal, it
had already reached a point when we were more like family members. Aamir Sir
treated not just me but all the Dangal girls like family. That’s because we got
to spend so much time with Sir. We used to have lunch together, rehearse
together, do wrestling training together, our relationship had already grown
really strong.
In Secret Superstar, as an actor it was a huge jump for me, because I had never
seen Sir like this. Ever. I had never met Aamir Khan - the person. On Dangal he
was always Mahavir Phogat. Off the sets, he’s a very calm person, he’s a
gentleman.
Now I see a
person who is completely the opposite, also because of the size (laughs). He
was so fat in Dangal (claps) and now in Secret Superstar I saw a weird man,
who’s hitting on every other woman, has a weird hairstyle, and wears
figure-hugging clothes. I wouldn’t stop laughing every time I would see him.
The way he speaks in the film is so funny.
When he was not shooting with you, did he ever come on the sets? He and
Kiran are co-producers on Secret Superstar. Or was that just Kiran's
department?
Kiran
Ma’am was on sets but Aamir Sir was not.
So how is it now that the movie has done so well? You are getting so many
compliments. How are you controlling yourself, you know it’s a heady feeling...
I’m so overwhelmed by the response. We all knew that Secret Superstar would
be loved. It’s a beautiful film, you know. We’ve made a sensible film but we
never thought that it will receive so much love and appreciation. People are
relating to the film, in every aspect.
Aamir Khan And Zaira Wasim At Secret Superstar Promotions
When you get so many compliments, it’s possible that you get carried away.
Do your friends complaint that you have changed?
No, they don’t.
It’s human nature to feel
so, even though you may have not changed.
(Reluctantly) I don’t want
to brag about myself but I think I’m quite grounded (laughs). I’m very lucky
that people think I’m even worth complimenting. I’m overwhelmed; I don’t know
what else to say.
Tell us how your day is like, where are you studying, what are you doing?
Everybody wants to know a lot about you...
(Sighs) I go to The Heritage School in Jammu, I’m in 11th standard. I’m
studying psychology. Apart from that, I have been oscillating between Mumbai
and Sri Nagar because I had been shooting Secret Superstar. I’m really upset
about the fact that it’s come to an end. The film is not ours anymore. I
wonder if I would be able to see the cast and crew ever again.
That’s fine, I’m going to relive it with you for some more time. Tell me
about the one scene which was very difficult for you and you probably had to do
a lot of retakes for it...
(Laughs) It was a very funny scene for me, for which I had to do a lot of
retakes. When Insiya goes to Shakti Kumar and says, “Aapka gaana bakwaas hai,”
and Shakti Kumar says “WHAT!?” ... and that “WHAT!?” was so funny, I could not
hold back my laughter. Every time he would say that word, I would crack up. I
did a lot of retakes for that scene, eventually we had to ensure that I don’t
look at him.
One scene that stood out was your confrontation with your mother, where you
tell her: Aap darpok hain...
(Cuts in) Oh, that was another difficult one.
Also, there is a scene where you’re telling your mom – Chalega Abba laptop
dekh lenge to...
The time I had to spend with my on-screen father was quite challenging and disturbing
because I have never seen such violence in my house. There was this scene where
the father was holding her face (enacts it), I was so disturbed.
I thought he was going to slap you in that scene...
I was so disturbed in the scene because it happens (this kind of violence)
in the world. It’s a sad reality of our society. It was challenging because I
had never experienced it and I had to draw an expression from my personal life
and I did not have it, so I had to build it. That was mentally very straining.
Kahin koi friends ka reference...
Nahin. I have not seen it, which is also why Secret Superstar is
going to remain with me. It’s the harsh reality of our society.
Aamir Khan And Zaira Wasim In Secret Superstar
This scene also stands out in my mind, apart from many others – Aamir Khan
talking to that lawyer twice in the car. Such terrific voice modulation from
that man...
I was in stitches when I saw that scene. I think, it was the best scene of
Shakti Kumar (Aamir's character) in the film. I have enjoyed it so much – while
shooting and while watching.
It’s so much fun working with Aamir Sir. The energy he brings into the room is
unreal sometimes.
So did he do those two things one after the other, or did he take a gap?
Because there is so much change in the voice modulation, the expression, the
dialogues...
I’m not the right person to say this but Aamir Sir is so good at it.
The transition he undergoes, he can switch into a whole new person in hardly
any time.
Zaira Wasim Recieves A National Award
He doesn’t need a gap? He doesn’t need a break?
He doesn’t need a gap. He doesn’t need a break.
We see you become this YouTube sensation in Secret Superstar. Tell
me, how is it at home, are you always on the internet, on social media?Not really, I became active on social media only recently. I love spending
time with my cats. I also spend a lot of time with my family. Social media is
just something that I do when I’m really bored, it’s not something that I cling
on to.
Are there any do’s and don’ts imposed by parents?
Fortunately, I have freedom. My parents trust me enough. They feel like I
know my limits. They’ve taught me what the limits are. I have the freedom/trust
to do whatever I want to because I know the balance.
Aamir Khan And Zaira Wasim Pose For Cameras
They don’t call you to ask – aap kahan ho/kitne baje ghar aa rahe ho?
Main ghar pe hi hoti hoon, main kahi bahar jaati nahi. Even if I go, I take
my mother along.
You’ve worked with Aamir, now what’s next? You want to work with Shah
Rukh, Salman? I’m sure they’re on your wish list...
I don’t know. But all I know is that I would want to work with Advait
(Chandan, Director, Secret Superstar) again. And Nitesh Sir (Tiwari, Director,
Dangal). I have had so much fun working with them. I’m going to miss
Advait. I don’t think I would be able to see him now.
I’m sure they are encouraging people, you can call them and meet them
again...
It won’t be the same. Distance might just take away the things that we’ve
shared. Not the memories, but the time that you get to spend with each other,
physically, in person, you know when you’re right there.
How’s it going to be now, when your next role comes along? Are you going to
consult Aamir and Nitesh?
If I feel the
need, that is, if I’m really confused, I’ll speak to Aamir Sir first.
Image Source: Manav Manglani, APHimages, youtube/topnews, facebook/zairawasimofficial, instagram/zairawasimofficial & youtube/zeestudios