Sacred Games actress Elnaaz Nourozi opens up on Salman, SRK, Phantom Films and more

Having worked in various ads with Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, the then struggling actress Elnaaz Nourozi managed to bag a substantial role in Sacred Games with her childhood crush Saif Ali Khan. She made some more interesting revelations in her interview with Deccan Chronicle. Here are the excerpts:

From doing ads with SRK & Salman to doing web series like Sacred Games, what has your journey been like?

Indeed it is a very incredible journey. I never thought that it would happen this way. I always dreamt of this. Sometimes you dream and want something but you’re not sure if it’s going to happen. I didn’t know Salman before but I worked a lot with him. For SRK, Kal Ho Naa Ho was my favourite film as a kid. It was even more special working with Shah Rukh because he was the reason I came to India. I was so much in love with him. These films did something to me and my mum supported me, so here I am! I never even thought I’ll meet him, but I worked with him twice! Then doing a series with Saif sir, when people tell me, I realize that yeah man this is completely cool. It was just a dream. I even seem to have inspired an Iranian girl who messages me on Instagram asking how did I make it. When I think about working with them, it seems so impossible to even meet them, let alone working with them! But there’s still so much to do. I haven’t reached where I wanted to be.

Where do you want to reach?

I want to do a lot of films, but not without my role being substantial. People have told me I have height and looks and hence can do great songs. But my point always was that I need to act! Now when people come to me and tell me they love my acting, that feels great. Sometimes it gets tough, when you can’t get an emotion right. Modelling was much easier. I did it for 10 years, but I always wanted to act, so that keeps me going.

Do you play the central character in Sacred Games 2?

Can’t reveal much, but excited that my story will be unveiled.

Would you do a smaller role in a big film or a major role in a comparatively smaller film?

I’m open to both. The risk is always there in both. It’s mostly hardwork but where you land in your career sometimes has to do with luck.

How did you get into acting?

I always wanted to be an actor, then realized that it was in Bollywood. So I came to Mumbai and started modelling to earn money so I can afford staying. Then I met people who promise you nonsense. When such people tell you, then you go like, is it so easy? I even did a lot of ads which got me recognized to work with stars, but it doesn’t give you a film. I have bagged a role each time only because of my audition, not because somebody knew someone.

How did you bag Sacred Games?

I got a call from Phantom Films. At that time I wasn’t sure because I had a Bollywood offer as well, where they asked me to play a second lead, which I didn’t want to do. It was a hard decision between Netflix and that film. It took me at least 2 weeks before I decided for Netflix, which was the best decision of my life. From the day I went for the audition till now, I did not realize what has happened to me, and now I’m excited. You just do well at something and get a call that you got the job!

Any other Bollywood movie offers coming your way?

There have been a couple of calls for sure but again nothing good enough. There have been 3-4 films. There was another film which I really wanted to do, but I’ve given the dates to Netflix. But I’m sure something will be even bigger and better.

Do you think web series are the future and movies will stop?

Now people sell movies at the same price in which you can go watch in theatres. Just wait till more people know about Netflix. Silver screen has just become more convenient. I’ve been receiving messages from Russia and Greece!

What’s your aim next?

To do certain films in 2019.