I’m no star kid to be picky: Sakshi

Which is why Splitsvilla season 2 winner Sakshi Pradhan thought nothing of making her Bollywood debut in a horror flick
Most newcomers would play safe and opt for a simple love story for their debut. But when Sakshi Pradhan was approached with the script of 8, a horror film, she didn’t think twice about signing up.
“I can’t keep waiting. I’m not a star kid to get that many choices.I had to take whatever came my way. Today, when strugglers have to run around hunting for roles, this opportunity came knocking at my door,” says an excited Sakshi, who says her entry into Bollywood was thanks to Splitsvilla season 2, which she used as a stepping stone. “I always wanted to be in Bollywood. That’s the reason I was on the show. Winning it was a big thing. It just made things better and gave me the visibility I needed,” confesses Sakshi.
She believes that 8 came her way only after the makers of the film noticed her on the show. “The character of Simi — my role in the film — is a lot like me. She’s hot, ambitious and keeps people on their toes. She acts on a whim, without contemplating the consequences. Also, Simi is a western dancer by profession, so they wanted somebody who could dance well. I’m all of that; the film-makers would have seen that when I appeared on the show,” explains Sakshi, adding that she had no debutante jitters on the film’s sets. “The crew called me one-take actor. I wasn’t nervous at all,” she says.
And Sakshi believes it’s her co-stars who made it easy for her. “Though I haven’t seen any of Samir Dattani’s earlier films, while working with him I realised that he is an amazing actor and a true professional. He has a great sense of humour too,” she says. Speaking of Suresh Menon, she adds, “I’d just laugh out loud if I spotted him anywhere. We used to be together all the time while shooting and he was a lot of fun on the sets.”
What next, more reality shows? “No more reality shows for me. I’m already so tired of it. Life’s been great post Splitsvilla and stardom has been treating me amazingly well. It’s got me money, fame and everything I could have wished for,” she says. Sakshi has been so busy with work that she has had no time to keep in touch with anyone from Splitsvilla. “I’m totally involved with my work and have no time to contact anyone,” she signs off.