Tara Sutaria Exclusive Interview: "I Hope I Get To Work With Different Actors And Do Good Films"

Some actors have to wait for months or even years to bag their second film after making their acting debut. But that does not seem to be the case with gorgeous Tara Sutaria. Born and brought up in Bandra, the actress is set to dive into the world of the movies with Karan Johar’s Student of the Year 2, which also marks the silver screen debut of yesteryear star Chunky Panday’s daughter, Ananya Panday.

Though SOTY 2 is yet to make its entry into theatres, Tara Sutaria has already finished her second film Marjaavaan and has just started shooting for her next, which will introduce action star Suniel Shetty’s son, Ahan Shetty.

Ahead of the grand release of Student of the Year 2, STARBIZ correspondent Mohnish Singh caught up with the rising star Tara Sutaria and talked to her about debuting with a Dharma movie, her rapport with filmmaker Karan Johar and how much is she prepared for the intense competition ahead.

Your debut film Student of the Year 2 is just around the corner for release. How does it feel?

It’s a very exciting moment for each one of us, be it Tiger, Ananya or I. I am so excited that, at times, I go blank when I meet new people. This whole experience is very surreal for me. It looks unreal at times. I cannot wait for the film to release.

Your co-stars Tiger Shroff and Ananya Panday belong to a film family, but you are completely new to the movies with no connections at all. How challenging has it been for you?

I think my journey has been quite distinct so far. Dharma Productions is like a family. People like Karan Johar and Puneet Malhotra never made me feel that Tiger and Ananya belong to film families and I don’t. That has never happened even once. I am very lucky and excited to be a part of Student of the Year 2. It has been the best year of my life.

What was your first reaction when you got to know that you were locked for the film?

I was jumping up and down. I was screaming in excitement. I was extremely happy because I had tested for the role and was very anxious to know what would happen. It was the best day of my life when I finally got to know that I was selected for the role.

Tell us something about your interest in arts and entertainment before Student of the Year 2 happened to you?

I have been singing since when I was a kid. I also trained in various dance forms. So, I have been in entertainment and arts my whole life. However, what I have done before is completely different from Bollywood and acting. But I feel really lucky that I got to travel around India and the world with music and dance. It has really helped me in a film like Student of the Year 2. So, I am very lucky. I genuinely feel so.

How has the life of Tara Sutaria changed after Student of the Year 2?

Nothing has changed, I guess, because the film has not even released yet. And I don’t think I would really change in any way. I am lucky that my parents keep me very grounded. I have twin sisters, so they also keep me grounded. So, I am lucky that I have a good support system in my family.

Do your twin sisters also want to pursue a career in films?

No, they are not interested in Bollywood. They are dance teachers. They run their dance school and teach dance.

Will you be singing in the film?

You won’t hear me singing in Student of the Year 2, but you will hear me sing in one of my next films.

How your college was different than the one shown in the film?

There is a huge difference. Not just me, in fact, everyone knows there is a huge difference. But I think we tried to create a world of escapism in this film. We did not try to make it look like a normal college. It has been a very different experience. I got to relive my college days by joining Saint Teresa’s in Student of the Year 2. It’s the most fun, fabulous and beautiful campus.

You have already signed two new films: Marjaavaan and Milan Luthria’s next. Do you think that the audience has already accepted you even before the release of your debut film?

I don’t know whether or not the audience has accepted me, because they are yet to see my work. Having said that, I feel extremely lucky that I have been offered three films in a year. That does not happen generally. So, I feel lucky that I have been given that chance. I have finished my second film before my first film even released. Now I am about to start my third film. So, it’s a great feeling. Touchwood!

How prepared are you for the intense competition ahead?

I think no one knows what is going to happen in the future. I hope for the best. I am lucky that I got to do a Dharma movie as my first film. And, of course, I got to work with Tiger. In the next film, I am working with Sid (Sidharth Malhotra). In my third film, I will be sharing the screen space with Ahan Shetty, who is making his acting debut. So, I feel I am very lucky that I have been offered such different films and I am looking forward to the future. I hope I get to work with different actors and do good films.

Was Student of the Year 2 the first film which was offered to you?

Actually, when I was in college, I was offered a couple of movies. But since I was still studying, my parents wanted me to focus on my education. Then I met Karan. Even he asked me to first complete my graduation and then come into the movies.

Since you are not from the industry, who is mentoring you?

I think I am the luckiest that I have Karan Johar, and there is no one better than him when it comes to mentoring. He is my guiding force.

Karan is the warmest, kindest person I know. He is someone I can just pick up the phone and call at any time of the day. He has held our hands so tight through the film. He is really guiding us so well and so is Puneet, honestly. I am really lucky to have them in my life.

While watching Student of the Year in 2012, did you ever think that one day you would be a part of its franchise?

It’s a very interesting question. No, I don’t think so. When I was watching Student of the Year, I had a big crush on one of the students. I don’t think I ever thought I would be in Student of the Year 2. It’s a dream.

Did anybody ever pull a prank on you during the shoot of the film?

I don’t think so if anybody did. However, Tiger looks very calm and cool, but he is not. He is a prankster. But the biggest prankster on the sets was Puneet Malhotra. He is very funny. He will do something or the other almost every day. He will irritate you. He will pester you. He will crack weird jokes. But he is lots of fun.

Who is your favorite actor?

I just know that I like Ranbir Kapoor a lot. I hope one day we get to do a film together. As an actress, I really look up to Deepika (Padukone) and Priyanka (Chopra), because what they are doing in films is so exciting and so different.

What do you have to say about Alia Bhatt who was a part of the first film of the franchise?

Alia is beautiful. I just watched her in Kalank (2019) and she has never looked more stunning. She is such a talented dancer; I did not know that. She is lovely.

How was your bonding with Ananya Panday?

Ananya and I bonded so well on our first flight together to Mussoorie where we shot the film. We did not know each other before that, but we bonded so much that we became best friends on the flight.