Sobhita Dhulipala

I want to be associated with films that are content-oriented.

I was initially excited about modelling, but soon, I started feeling detached with the job. I wanted dynamic growth in whatever I did.

I do not morally judge any character and resist judging anybody in real life, too.

Sensitivity, awareness, and conflict - these have catalysed my creative growth.

Choosing to remain vulnerable and sensitive despite disappointments or heartbreak helps me stay authentic to my life. It is the hardest part.

Characters, like people, don't need to be right - only understood and, perhaps, accepted. We are all grey, lighter and darker, depending on our state of security.

Anurag sir is very specific about his casting.

All I know is that it is important to stand up for ourselves, no matter how inconvenient the reality is.

Inclusivity is extremely important in any art form.

There are so many great directors and actors, like Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Rakeysh Ompraskash Mehra, Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Basu - the list is very long. I hope at some point I get to work with them.

I want to try everything. I don't want to limit myself to anything. I want to discover as many characters as I can. I just want to explore.

I grew up reading a lot on literature and all of that.

I find a lot of happiness in playing characters that have a lot of emotions. But even more important is the team that I am working with.

Acting made me realise this is me; this is what I always wanted to be. Even today, I am an awkward kid, and I feel most comfortable when I become a character before the camera.

Although I am a Telugu girl, I never felt that my debut in Telugu was delayed. I always wanted to be part of a good script, and I am pleased that 'Goodachari' hit the right notes.

My dream is to play ordinary characters. I have no interest in playing a pretty girl or an NRI girl.

I can't do the terrible mistake of thinking audiences are dumb and will accept anything I do. I want to be cautious about my choices.

There's always this debate about how we need more good films but how many are willing to be part of such films.

I can't be in a film that I wouldn't like to watch as audience.

Interesting stories appeal to me, much like it appeals to the audience. Or else I might as well become a banker and make more money.

I see myself as a storyteller and want to do films that are being made all over the world.

When I started working in Mumbai, I was interested in working in the indie and niche spaces, as they do make really good cinema, driven by good stories. But then, I decided to explore everything possible.

Earlier, I would never focus on how I looked because I thought I was just 'OK.' So my focus was on being well-read, good in studies, school captain. My personality depended on what I read, not on some magical genetic thing.

I love the breakfast culture - I opt for the French platter.

I'm 87% socially awkward.

Writing is my No. 1 passion.

My parents have always been supportive. I come from a very simple middle class family, where the upbringing is very traditional. So for them to give me the kind of freedom to exercise my choices is very fortunate for me.

My mother is a teacher, and my father is a chief marine engineer.

I'm not obsessed with the idea of fame or lots of money or social power. I can actually do want I want to do - I'm free - isn't that the greatest prize?

There were huge films that I said no to because I felt I wouldn't have watched that film if it came out.

Every time I decide not to do a commercial film, a masala film, I'm closer to myself.

It is important to be clear about what you want and pursue that passionately.

As a full-time model, exciting opportunities came my way, and I was lucky to be featured in the Kingfisher Calendar 2014. This helped me get noticed, and I bagged assignments to walk the ramp for well-known Indian designers.

I got my big break in Bollywood with Anurag Kashyap's 'Raman Raghav 2.0' when I got a call from one of the casting directors to appear for an audition. At that point, I didn't think that I would make the cut since I was auditioning for a Bollywood film for the very first time. Within an hour of the audition, I was told that I had been selected.

Winning the Miss India Earth 2013 title proved to be a stepping stone for a career in modelling and, eventually, films, though I didn't aspire to become either a model or an actress.

I don't admire actors so much, actually.

I get transported when I read books.

I am such a reclusive person that, literally, when I am done shooting, at some level I sort of disassociate myself, and I get back to reading my books.

The day women begin to feel good about themselves, they will truly feel empowered, and only they can do that for themselves. It will happen the day we stop seeking validation.

I have always wanted to tell stories. Even as a classical dancer, I revel in telling stories through my dance.

I was born and brought up in Vizag 'til 12th Class.

Doing modeling was a fun thing for me. At a young age, being able to earn was exciting. I got to work with some very talented designers and models. But there was always a yearning in me to do something more.

One's character is reflected in their choices after all. I'm glad to have been making ones that make my heart soar.

Icons like Nagarjuna sir and Jagapati Babu sir have been so encouraging and shared such great energy, welcoming me into the Telugu film industry. It is motivating.

Renowned people from all fields receive unnecessary flak so often. Anonymity is misused, and it is a terrible thing to want to break somebody's spirit.

There are definitely directors I want to work with like Dibakar Banerji, Zoya Akhtar, Vishal Bharadwaj, and so many more.

I would love to do a period film, a sports film, or an out and out action movie.

Right after college, I participated in the Miss India contest and then went on to pursue modelling, as that seemed like the logical next step. But pretty soon, I started to feel stagnant in that profession.

I've always been the person who has needed a creative outlet.

Anurag was always too passionate about 'Raman Raghav 2.0' to care about anything else. There never was a 'Bombay Velvet' hangover.