I was known just as Rajkummar Rao's girlfriend, says Patralekhaa

Patralekhaa who won Tinsel Town over with her Citylights act can’t comprehend the hullabaloo over her bold role in Love Games. The actress talks about being a modern girl, beau Rajkummar Rao and more.

A lot has been spoken about your makeover in Love Games…
I don’t understand why people have made it a talking point. I am a modern girl from Shillong. I feel Citylights was my makeover because the role of Rakhi wasn’t similar to me at all. It was such a docile character.

So how is to play Ramona in Love Games?
Ramona wasn’t easy to play. It is completely a different role. Where the thought process of Patralekhaa ends, Ramona’s begins. I want people to hate me after they come out of the theatres — that is my achievement.

Were you sceptical before signing Love Games?
I never had second thoughts before signing the film. I don’t have to ‘gather’ courage to do such a role, since I am an actor.

Is it true that you fainted on the sets in Cape Town?
It was damn cold in Cape Town and I had to shoot a pool scene in a swimsuit. I was empty stomach and freezing. Vikram sir told me to have little brandy and I had. The moment I had it, it tricked my empty stomach and I became unconscious.

As a newcomer in the industry, do you consult your parents before taking up any projects?
Yes, I do. When I was offered Love Games, I called them and told them about the film, scene-to-scene. They never stopped me from doing the role. Instead, they encouraged me to give it my 100 per cent. My father wanted me to become a chartered accountant, but when he saw me in Citylights, he was happy.

How did beau Rajkummar Rao react after seeing the trailer of Love Games?
He loved the trailer and he told me that I was effortless. Doing steamy scenes onscreen is a very small thing, an actor has a lot more while performing. The journey of being an actor isn’t easy.

Do you and Rajkummar give suggestions to each other professionally?
We don’t interfere in each other’s workspace. We never have conversations regarding our films. If I am stuck in some scene, I call him since we both value each other’s opinions.

Do worry about being tagged as a Bhatt camp girl?
Vishesh Films never binds any of their actors to work outside Bhatt camp. Mukeshji is like a parent to me. When he saw Aditya Roy Kapoor in Fitoor, he was so proud to see him doing a big film after Aashiqui 2.

Do you think that Rajkummar has a slow career pace despite of being a great actor?
I feel totally opposite to it. He is shooting for around 250 days out of 365 days. Kai Po Che and Shahid changed his life. He is in a better space than I am. Writers have actually started writing roles for me. I was known as just Rajkummar’s girlfriend.