'The script has to excite me'

Ragini Dwivedi goes out of her way to prepare for any role that she takes up. And for her role in her latest project ‘Natikoli’, she has been working out to stay fit.

‘Natikoli’, as she describes it, is set in the 19th century and will see her playing the role of a dancer. “This is the first time I will be doing a period film.” Ragini, who is remembered for her action-packed roles, says that this will be a different project altogether.

“There is a lot of preparation taking place. There are two designers involved in making the costumes of the film. Since the story is set during that time, getting the right kind of a fabric and texture to work on is difficult.”

She feels that this is one of the challenges that the team behind every period film faces. “One cannot wear whatever he or she feels like for such a film. It’s not a modern commercial film that actors can choose to wear anything they want. There’s a lot of homework

involved. There are two looks in the film — both being completely different from each other,” she says.

She says that after winding up the shoot for her upcoming action flick ‘Ranachandi’, she has been working towards getting a leaner body.

“I’ve been training for a couple of weeks now. It includes a lot of cardio-workouts, kick-boxing and TRX. I will also start training in kathak soon. One has to understand that working out does not pertain to just lifting weights. There are so many different ways to get the desired result,” she elaborates.

Ragini adds that one should understand their body type and work out accordingly. “I am also swimming everyday. I love going to the gym and working out. So it is not hard for me. Working out is a great stressbuster.”

“I’m not into crash diets as they may or may not help. One has to eat well to feel good.” She smiles and adds that she doesn’t have a sweet tooth. “I’m not a big foodie. I consume the right proportion of proteins.”

About her role, she says, “After shooting for an action film in the past few months where I also hurt myself, I’m doing something which is very girly. I’m not very girly and the audience doesn’t relate to me like that either. So it is exciting.”

The film, which is a “raw film” according to Ragini, “will not concentrate on the lavishness of the 19th century but the truth of  the time”.

“The script always has to excite me. It should have different elements for me to
be able to work with it.

Only when the role is exciting for an actor, will the audience want to see it too. I would never watch a film if I’m not impressed by its trailer.”

Ragini hasn’t been formally trained in acting or dancing earlier.

“I dance a lot as I love to dance. I can do contemporary, hip-hop and freestyle dancing. I have learnt salsa and zumba too. I love bharatanatyam but I can’t do the form as it doesn’t suit me,” she sums up.