Mumbai: The trailer of the movie Citylights has become talk of the town even before its release. Its lead pair and real-life couple Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa spoke to Deccan Chronicle about how they prepared for their roles, their equation with each other and, yes, Patralekhaa’s name.
Were there any apprehensions that their real life relationship would overshadow the movie, we ask? Patralekhaa, who debuts with his film, says, “Yes, often people want to know about our personal life but honestly there is nothing much to say. Rajkummar and I have been in relationship for a long time now and there is nothing to hide. Now we want people to talk about us as characters that we portray.”
Rajkummar adds, “I feel our work should speak and not our personal lives. Both of us are professionals and for me acting is my first love. Patralekhaa has her own space in my life but when we are on the sets we are Deepak and Rakhi, the characters in the movie.”
To get into the skin of the characters the duo stopped seeing each other for over a month. Patralekhaa explains, “The decision was taken on Hansal sir’s advice. It’s not that we were totally estranged, we used to meet on the sets, but not outside as boyfriend-girlfriend. This was to put more life into our characters. It helped us to evolve and portray our characters better. We are grateful to Hansal sir for giving this idea .”
Also Patralekhaa reveals that she went through a lot of emotional stress while filming the movie. She says, “I was emotionally drained playing the character of Rakhi. I would come home and cry about what was happening between the couple. It wasn’t easy.” It is being rumoured that Patralekhaa’s name is Anwita and was changed to Patralekhaa by the production house to hide her identity as Rajkummar’s girlfriend.
The debutante laughs and says, “That’s not true. Mahesh Bhatt and Hansal Mehta sir are the last persons to do so. In fact my real name is Patralekhaa and nick name is Anwita. Since the name is long I preferred people calling me Anwita. That’s it.”
