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Exclusive Interview: Amazing Amyra

Thursday, February 2, 2017 • Telugu Comments
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The 23-year-old Amyra Dastur is going places. After the science fiction vigilante thriller 'Mr. X' (Hindi), the Mumbai-based diva bagged 'Kung Fu Yoga', the cross-cultural action-adventure comedy that will hit the screens on Feb 3rd. Her very name means Princess, but it's not just luck that got her this much-awaited international project.

"I feel very lucky, but a lot of hard work and discipline took me there," the soft-spoken beauty, who blushes when we tell her she bears resemblance to Sonali Bindre, says. "I was chosen for the role because my director liked my audition," she avers, adding that all that she wants is the movie to do well with the audience. "I am playing a modern Indian girl in the movie. She is a really funny character. She is also very strong," she says, talking about her character.

You will see her do action and shake a leg with Jackie Chan himself. "I trained with Jackie's stunt team. The risk of breaking bones was always there. But the team was very professional. I can't explain how professional they are. They know exactly what they are doing, so much so, nobody got injured. I trained for it for one month and was also training with them even between my shots to make sure my body was always in form," Amyra shares.

Before signing up for this movie, did she have experience with martial arts? "Yes, I do know Gymnastics, etc, I also do Yoga. I love different exercises. If your body gets used to one particular type of exercise, it won't be good. I keep changing my exercise and that way, I have been fit."

In the process of working for the movie, what did Amyra learn about the Chinese culture? "It's very close to Indian culture. They are family-oriented, very respectful. You just see so many similarities in the way they talk, etc. I was in Beijing and I went shopping there. I got to see the markets, I got to eat the food there," she says.

Amyra recently stated that she doesn't want to do roles which are "too glamorous". Why does she not want to be cast in 'Mr. X'-kinda roles? "Bascially, I want to do movies wherein even the girl's character actually has a part. If you want me to do glamorous roles, that's fine. But you have to make sure the character is good," she says. Has the way she looks at glamour changed after 'Mr. X'? "No, not at all. It's the same."

Now that she has done an international project, does Amyra see her career taking a major turn? "I haven't thought about it like that. It's just an amazing opportunity which came by chance. I never ever thought I would do an international project. The chance came and I took it. If something good comes, then yes. But otherwise, I am not yearning for Hollywood. I am yearning for Bollywood and South films," she says. Currently, she is doing a Tamil movie opposite Santhanam. "Vikram sir is my favourite. In Bollywood, it's Amitabh Bachchan sir," she reveals.

Amyra is also a socially responsible person who has taken up the cause of girl child's education. "I was doing a fashion show for an organization called Smile Foundation. I got to know about what they do. They take care of girls, educate them, help them. In a country where we think female foeticide is OK, we need to bring awareness," she says.

In this context, does she want to do movies like 'Pink'? "Yes, of course. I think a movie like that should be done. Reacting to molestations, our politicians are heard saying that she (the victim) deserved it because she was wearing such clothes. That's not OK. We are the second most populous country. Indian girls are extremely smart. This (discrimination) needs to be stopped. We can't blame girls for what they wear," Amyra says rather forcefully.

What is the biggest takeaway from working for 'Kung Fu Yoga'? "I have learnt that one has to be patient more than anything else," she signs off.

Amyra is currently associated with Puri Connects, the talent management company owned by Puri Jagannadh.

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