Actor Mahie Gill shot to fame with the film Dev D, which also won her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress in 2010. But the Chandigarh girl had made her debut long before with Punjabi film Hawayein in 2003, and was later seen in some other regional projects that didn't fare too well.
She does a full circle now, as she comes calling to the city to promote her latest Punjabi venture, Carry On Jatta, that hits theatres on July 27.
About the Sumeep Kang-directed film, the actor says she wouldn't want to term it as her 'comeback' to the Punjabi film industry, since she never left it in the first place. "I have learnt a lot in this industry. But the scripts being offered to me in the meanwhile weren't interesting, and honestly, Bollywood left me with no time for anything else," she smiles. She is confident of romcom Carry On Jatta doing well, saying, "Undoubtedly, Sumeep is a good friend, so anything for him. But the film will rock at the box office."
Seen in rather 'bold' avatars in her Hindi films so far, including Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster and Not A Love Story, Mahie says she gets to 'be herself' on home turf. "In Bollywood, filmmakers offer me intense, female-oriented roles and tell me only I can do them. But Punjabi films are fun, since they give me a chance to break free from performance pressure and devote time on my looks," shares the doe-eyed beauty, adding that Sumeep told her to 'enjoy as much as she could on the sets.'
{{/usCountry}}Seen in rather 'bold' avatars in her Hindi films so far, including Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster and Not A Love Story, Mahie says she gets to 'be herself' on home turf. "In Bollywood, filmmakers offer me intense, female-oriented roles and tell me only I can do them. But Punjabi films are fun, since they give me a chance to break free from performance pressure and devote time on my looks," shares the doe-eyed beauty, adding that Sumeep told her to 'enjoy as much as she could on the sets.'
{{/usCountry}}On not being noticed in her previous Punjabi films, Mahie says, "I remember one of the best Punjabi films that I did in 2008, called Chak De Phatte. It was hilarious, but unfortunately not marketed well. I wasn't even famous then. But now is the right time to be in the growing Punjabi industry. The era of Punjabi films is at its peak, though only good films will work as audiences are intelligent."
'Super excited' about her role in the sequel to Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, she says, "As an actor, I would say it's a mind blowing role and the star cast is amazing too." Mahie also debuts in the Telegu film industry with film Zanjeer, for which she has begun shooting.