My parents have always been supportive. I come from a very simple middle class family, where the upbringing is very traditional. So for them to give me the kind of freedom to exercise my choices is very fortunate for me.
— Sobhita Dhulipala
There were huge films that I said no to because I felt I wouldn't have watched that film if it came out.
It is important to be clear about what you want and pursue that passionately.
Winning the Miss India Earth 2013 title proved to be a stepping stone for a career in modelling and, eventually, films, though I didn't aspire to become either a model or an actress.
I am such a reclusive person that, literally, when I am done shooting, at some level I sort of disassociate myself, and I get back to reading my books.
I have always wanted to tell stories. Even as a classical dancer, I revel in telling stories through my dance.
One's character is reflected in their choices after all. I'm glad to have been making ones that make my heart soar.
There are definitely directors I want to work with like Dibakar Banerji, Zoya Akhtar, Vishal Bharadwaj, and so many more.
I've always been the person who has needed a creative outlet.
I was initially excited about modelling, but soon, I started feeling detached with the job. I wanted dynamic growth in whatever I did.
Choosing to remain vulnerable and sensitive despite disappointments or heartbreak helps me stay authentic to my life. It is the hardest part.
All I know is that it is important to stand up for ourselves, no matter how inconvenient the reality is.
Every person is flawed. Do you think perfection exists? You, me, everyone - we have strengths and shortcomings; that's what makes us human.
I grew up reading a lot on literature and all of that.
I want to be associated with films that are content-oriented.
I can't do the terrible mistake of thinking audiences are dumb and will accept anything I do. I want to be cautious about my choices.
Interesting stories appeal to me, much like it appeals to the audience. Or else I might as well become a banker and make more money.
My mother is a teacher, and my father is a chief marine engineer.
Every time I decide not to do a commercial film, a masala film, I'm closer to myself.
As a full-time model, exciting opportunities came my way, and I was lucky to be featured in the Kingfisher Calendar 2014. This helped me get noticed, and I bagged assignments to walk the ramp for well-known Indian designers.
I don't admire actors so much, actually.
I look forward to playing characters where I want to play the ordinary, to be honest... Farmer's wife, tailor's daughter, the teacher characters that exist for real emotions.
I was born and brought up in Vizag 'til 12th Class.
Icons like Nagarjuna sir and Jagapati Babu sir have been so encouraging and shared such great energy, welcoming me into the Telugu film industry. It is motivating.
I would love to do a period film, a sports film, or an out and out action movie.
Anurag was always too passionate about 'Raman Raghav 2.0' to care about anything else. There never was a 'Bombay Velvet' hangover.
I do not morally judge any character and resist judging anybody in real life, too.
Characters, like people, don't need to be right - only understood and, perhaps, accepted. We are all grey, lighter and darker, depending on our state of security.
Stories are told not to preach or counsel people but to reflect the dilemmas of our time.
There are so many great directors and actors, like Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Rakeysh Ompraskash Mehra, Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Basu - the list is very long. I hope at some point I get to work with them.
Miss Earth, to me, means a lot more than an international beauty pageant. It implies a larger than life celebration of spirit, beauty, passion, and betterment.
Although I am a Telugu girl, I never felt that my debut in Telugu was delayed. I always wanted to be part of a good script, and I am pleased that 'Goodachari' hit the right notes.
There's always this debate about how we need more good films but how many are willing to be part of such films.
I see myself as a storyteller and want to do films that are being made all over the world.
I'm not obsessed with the idea of fame or lots of money or social power. I can actually do want I want to do - I'm free - isn't that the greatest prize?
I think most of my childhood, adolescence, and teenage years, I was struggling to feel validated - which led to a lot of my career choices as well.
I got my big break in Bollywood with Anurag Kashyap's 'Raman Raghav 2.0' when I got a call from one of the casting directors to appear for an audition. At that point, I didn't think that I would make the cut since I was auditioning for a Bollywood film for the very first time. Within an hour of the audition, I was told that I had been selected.
I get transported when I read books.
Writing is my No. 1 passion.
Doing modeling was a fun thing for me. At a young age, being able to earn was exciting. I got to work with some very talented designers and models. But there was always a yearning in me to do something more.
Renowned people from all fields receive unnecessary flak so often. Anonymity is misused, and it is a terrible thing to want to break somebody's spirit.
Right after college, I participated in the Miss India contest and then went on to pursue modelling, as that seemed like the logical next step. But pretty soon, I started to feel stagnant in that profession.
Acting made me realise this is me; this is what I always wanted to be. Even today, I am an awkward kid, and I feel most comfortable when I become a character before the camera.
Sensitivity, awareness, and conflict - these have catalysed my creative growth.
Anurag sir is very specific about his casting.
Inclusivity is extremely important in any art form.
I want to try everything. I don't want to limit myself to anything. I want to discover as many characters as I can. I just want to explore.
I find a lot of happiness in playing characters that have a lot of emotions. But even more important is the team that I am working with.
My dream is to play ordinary characters. I have no interest in playing a pretty girl or an NRI girl.
I can't be in a film that I wouldn't like to watch as audience.
