I like being thrown out of my comfort zone.
— Ileana D'Cruz
I like my smile.
In my first-ever shot, there was a big shell that was dropped on my belly in slow motion. I even asked the director why we are doing it, and he said it would look beautiful... and I wondered, 'Really? But why and how?'
Imperfections are a part of life, and one should learn to love who you are.
I don't think I constantly have to be on a promotional spree or be seen in the newspapers every day or even be part of social parties and film gangs. I'm having my own set of journey, and I am happy with it because I don't want to be like everybody.
You have one life, and it can't be just about work because you lose out on so many amazing years of your life if you just work, work, and work.
I have a lot of dignity and am my own woman who does not dance to anyone's tunes.
My father worked as a mechanical draftsman at Mazagaon Docks and is a Catholic. My mum was a Muslim, so my parents broke quite a few rules to get married.
I like watching romantic comedies and animation.
You may look at us actors and think that, 'Oh my God, they are so pretty, so perfect.' But that's not how it is. It takes two hours to get ready and look like this.
As far as clothes are concerned, for the day, wear something chic: a good pair of jeans, crop, and open hair with a bright lip colour. For an evening, a nice pair of high-waisted trousers and a nice blouse looks great.
I'm a beach bum, so I'm more comfortable in western wear.
I am not from a film family. I don't know much, but I definitely knew that if I want to be a good enough actor, I should be able to do any sort of role.
I don't think I will ever understand Bollywood. And I'm happy about that because it is a big, crazy, world. It's too complicated and chaotic to understand.
My personal life is only my business and the business of the people who are close to me.
When people ask me to describe my journey in Hindi cinema post-'Barfi!' I actually don't know what to say.
When I have actors flirting with me in acting, in my head, I am thinking, 'If I flirt back, I could definitely land a film with this guy. If I consider going to his house for drinks, considering he has invited me, I could definitely get a film with him.' But I just don't want to do that.
I am glad that after 'Rustom,' I did 'Mubarakan' and then 'Baadshaho,' as it explores my range as an actor.
I am very critical about the way I look.
When I was working in south films, I never understood how films were made.
I can't watch Kevin Spacey's show anymore, though I have loved it earlier, because he has been accused of harassment. It disgusts me as a person.
I like meeting my friends, being with my family, going for holidays.
Now I don't look at life where I'd say, 'Oh gosh, my life's over if I don't have films anymore.' My approach is that there's so much more for me to do.
Films happened to me accidentally when I met Marc Robinson in a hotel in Goa, where my mum worked as a supervisor. I would often go there, and the manager there would see me and tell my mom that I should try being a model.
I don't like being called a celebrity. So much so that I find it very uncomfortable looking at myself on the screen.
For me, a very chilled out day would be me on my couch or cooking, sitting with one or two friends watching TV or films over a glass of wine.
You are a human being and are allowed to be imperfect, and you are allowed to be flawed. There is a lot of beauty in your imperfections, in your uniqueness.
I love wearing very simple colours.
I have been singing since the time I was two. My mom says I would sing Gujarati songs with my grandmother when I was a kid.
'Barfi!' was a beautiful film. I'm proud to be associated with it.
Acting is a career where you keep learning with every film you do.
The reason I did 'PPNH' was because I wanted to do something different, wacky, and mainstream after 'Barfi!'
There are some actors that I know I won't do a film with no matter how good the film is.
I enjoyed every experience that life offers.
I don't like the way my arms jiggle.
I do use social media as a gateway into my personal life, but only to a certain extent. When I don't want to, I pull the blinds down.
It might sound cowardly, but I do agree that if you speak out about the casting couch, it will end your career.
I am not one of those people who want to work 24/7.
I didn't realise how much I was alienating people. I would constantly refuse to go out when friends would call. At one point, I didn't realise I was at home for a week.
My mum is a rock star, and I idolise her. She was born in a conservative Muslim family, where the girls were not educated much, and she was required to wear a burkha. She felt repressed but dreamt of driving her own car, walking around in jeans and wearing sunglasses, and she did.
I like that with social media, you can choose how much you want to reveal. If there is an issue that requires clarification, at least you can turn to social media. You know it's coming from the horse's mouth.
Love yourself for who you are, and trust me, if you are happy from within, you are the most beautiful person, and your smile is your best asset.
I was always a very self-conscious person and was picked on for my body type. I used to feel low and sad all the time, but didn't know I was suffering from depression and Body Dysmorphic Disorder till I got help.
The elegance of a sari or the flirtiness of a lehenga is matchless.
I love music, I love to sing, but I am terrified of singing in public.
I would say the most difficult part of film-making is dealing with people you are working with and trying to forget the drama that goes behind the scenes.
If you are visible in the whole film, but there is no depth in your role, then the role is not significant.
I am being selfish here by saying this, but I believe 'Barfi!' helped me the most. It got me recognition and respect.
Eleven years of acting it has been for me, and I still sometimes think I am not cut out for this. I hate the people-pleasing that goes with it, and the stupid politics, but that is with every kind of work and job.
