COVER STORY

I love doing new things every day

Our readers would like to know about your interest in studies and academic achievements?
I believe education is very important. My mother and father give due importance to education so they kept insisting that I finish graduation and masters before proceeding for making my professional career. They wanted to ensure that I have other options in case acting doesn’t work well for me. After completing my studies, I did realise the role of education is extremely significant in our lives. Education makes a human his finest version.

Why Tania wanted to be an actor?
Because it gives me pleasure and satisfaction. Playing different roles, keeping my self in someone else’s footprint makes me understand the situation of other people in a better way. It’s highly artistic and creative. I love doing new things every single day.

What is the importance of struggle period in your life from education to successful actor?
It’s the most precious time of my life. It is because of the struggle I had, that I value what I have today. Because I have worked hard and have seen what failures mean, I value my every little achievement and feel blessed to have achieved this much. I had no god father. I did everything on my own with the grace of god.

What was the reaction of your family when you decided to make your career  as an actor?
They were not sure about it. Like every other parent, my parents too dreamt of a secured job for me. We all know there is uncertainty in actor’s professional life. That’s why they emphasised and insisted on completing my education before stepping into acting career. It helped me in more than one ways. I was qualified for other jobs as well as I gained knowledge which one requires to be a better person in life.

What was the biggest attraction of your popular film “Sufna?”
Everything about the film is grand and attractive. I never acted in that film rather I was actually that character. It came so naturally to me. This role is very close to my heart. It took me years and I had put tremendous efforts to bag a solo lead film for myself. Finally Sufna happened. I see that as blessings from Almighty.

What were the challenges and experience in a lead role from your recently hit film “Bajre da Sitta”?
Challenges keep emerging almost everyday, for example I had to heat my hair from root to tip to come in that curly hair character. It was time consuming. Also, during extremely cold weather with short days, we all want to stay cozy but staying in open areas for shooting sometimes makes it hard. Also, playing a character of previous generation who are calmer than us, have almost no freedom of speech, was hard because we are totally different in 21st century.

What are your compliments for Jass Grewal writer & director and for Ammy Virk, the lead actor of the film “Bajre da Sitaa”?
They are happy. I remember Jass Grewal calling me very next moment after watching the first show and saying “ thank you Tania, for making my film look so beautiful and magical. Every frame that you entered just lighted up” .My eyes were moist listening to this.I was not saying thank you because otherwise he would know I am crying this side listening to what he was saying.My films are every important and are very close to my heart. Any project that I do, I do to just live that moment and make it mine forever.

“Bajre da Sitta” is a hit film musically also. Which song is close to your heart?
Though all songs are amazing.  But Surmedani is my all time favourite.

What are your achievements as a classical dancer and live performer?
I love to release my energy in the form of dance, it refreshes my mind and soul. I’ve won many awards in classical dance since I was in grade 6. I have done this till National Level.

Which is your own favorite music album and why?
Of course Bajre da Sitta. That is a refreshment to ears in the era of high bass.

In the field of acting, there is a lot of criticism also. How do you accept this?
I do read it all. Process it, improve what I can improve and let go of what does not serve me to step up in life. As an Artist, I need to be positive, happy and clear in life. So not wasting much of my time on negative things.
Who is your favorite director from Punjabi films and why?
I have worked with almost all, all are different and I like different quality in different directors, so hard to mention just one.

In your professional acting career, who supported you the most; men or women?
My god, My family. And then all others. Nothing gender specific. Those who have to pull you down, can be of any gender.

Tania is an introvert or an extrovert by nature?
With people I don’t know, introvert.With people I know I am extremely extrovert.

Which is your favorite costume: Punjabi, traditional or western and why?
All of them. I love styling in all different categories. I can carry them all well. I would like to choose suits if I must choose one.

Which colour attracts you the most?
Yellow, like it does to little kids.

You are always fit and energetic, What is the reason behind your fitness?
I hard work, no late night parties, proper sleep and workout in the gym. It actually takes lot of dedication.

Which award is very special to you for your contribution in Punjabi cinema?
Best actress in leading role for Sufna, my first film in lead role.

Are you interested in becoming a part of hindi cinema also?
Yes, why not! Already working hard on it. Who so ever reading this magazine, ab hindi films bhi karni hain, koi accha role ho to mujhse sampark karein.

Your message for your fans all across the globe?
Work hard. There is no shortcut. Like the life you want, make a lifestyle. Don’t forget to enjoy as well. We are temporary on this planet earth. So, Before we die, live to the fullest.