Diljot Chhabra, known for Ziddi Dil Maane Na, gears up for her film with Akshay Kumar’s film Khel Khel Mein.
Women Fitness India gets in a candid chat with Diljot Chhabra on her journey, struggles, and more.
Namita Nayyar:
As you embark on your acting career, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned along the way, particularly in terms of honing your craft and navigating the industry?
Diljot Chhabra
Being consistent in whatever you do is so important, I think generally people start a career with so much enthusiasm and slowly when life happens and you start facing rejections, the enthusiasm fades away very quickly. But I think if you want to be successful or make your dreams come true you have to give it time, effort, and practice without calculating. And I have completely surrendered to my craft, practice, and dreams.
The nature of this industry is very unpredictable but I believe there’s work for everybody, you have to be patient enough to make your way through it and find what’s meant for you.
Namita Nayyar:
Landing roles in the competitive world of entertainment can be challenging. What has been your approach to auditions and securing roles, and how do you stay resilient in the face of rejection?
Diljot Chhabra
Since I started in this industry, I have realized there’s no other way, one has to show up at auditions. I remember initially I used to go and stand in a queue of almost 200 people for an AD audition and by the time we would reach the entrance they used to look at us, randomly choose and call people ‘unfit for the part’ without even auditioning. So of course rejections are part of the business, You can’t run away from them. You have to face them and like anyone else in the industry, I have also gone through the worst rejections, but that never made me doubt myself, my talent, or my potential as an actor.
If I get certain feedback on my performance, I won’t shy away from working on myself and my craft.
FULL INTERVIEW ON THE NEXT PAGE!
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Namita Nayyar:
Your coming projects must be keeping you busy. Can you share any details about the roles you’ll be portraying and what drew you to these particular projects?
Diljot Chhabra
I have just finished shooting for a Mudassar Aziz film.
I’ll be sharing the screen with actors like Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, and Vaani Kapoor.
The film is a rollercoaster ride of laughter, drama, and loads of fun! When I auditioned for the role, I had no idea I’d be a part of such a big film with such a big cast. But thanks to Mudassar Aziz sir who visualized the character in me and made me a part of such a fun film!
Namita Nayyar:
Balancing fitness and a demanding acting career can be challenging. How do you maintain your physical and mental well-being while juggling the demands of the entertainment industry?
Diljot Chhabra
I agree the Industry can get overwhelming at times, and to strike that balance between your mental and physical health becomes extremely difficult. But if you incorporate a few Important habits and make little changes in your routine life, tough times become less challenging.
I started my fitness journey almost 6 years ago. I used to hit the gym 5 times a week and that’s it.
Slowly I started understanding nutrition and being mindful and aware of what I am putting in my body.
Importance of movement daily, not just when one has to prepare for a certain role.
Even in my last show ‘Ziddi Dil Maane Na’ it was an extremely challenging role of a special agent demanding that kind of fitness level. And because I never compromised on my routine I was able to pull that off.
Also yoga, It has given me a lot, and being a certified yoga teacher I can say that pranayama/ yoga sessions have changed my life for good.
Namita Nayyar:
You’ve already made your mark in the fitness and wellness space. How do you think your experiences in this field have contributed to your approach to acting and the roles you choose?
Diljot Chhabra
I am glad to hear that first of all because it’s been a tough journey. I have had my share of struggles and obstacles and I still have a long way to go.
I believe I have evolved as a person and as an actor over the years because of my experiences, my thought process has changed, I look at things from various perspectives, I handle things with a little more patience, and I take rejections a little more gracefully, I won’t be harsh on myself, I have learned to accept my flaws and embrace them, I take a stand for what I deserve, etc.
People evolve until they die and I have always been a very experience-oriented person because nothing can teach you better than your own experience in life.
Namita Nayyar:
Can you share any memorable experiences or challenges you’ve faced while working on film or television projects? How do you navigate the highs and lows of the industry?
Diljot Chhabra
The journey so far itself is been memorable, but I think specifically my last show ‘Ziddi Dil Maane Na’ playing the only lady Special Agent in the show was extremely demanding but so thrilling at the same time, I enjoyed every action sequence to the core, as I use to perform it all by myself ( no doubles) once got a big cut on my arm which also left a scar as a memory but that never stopped me. I completely surrendered to the character and then even the scars became a part of me.
Also had to learn how to speak in a bundelkhandi dialect for my character in the show. It was challenging but so much fun!
Namita Nayyar
What has been your most rewarding moment as an actor so far, and what goals do you aspire to achieve in your acting career?
Diljot Chhabra
When people appreciate the work you do, can relate to your performance and character.
And they make big and positive life-changing decisions by being influenced by the character you portray. That was the biggest reward for me.
Young girls used to message me saying they wanted to join the army or serve the country or that they had a lot of courage to stand up for themselves and their dreams after watching me play the character of a strong woman in my last show (Ziddi). It’s always overwhelming.
I think as actors we play a huge part when it comes to influencing people and society as a whole. And I want to play characters that people can relate to, My goal as an actor is to understand my responsibility and entertain people in every possible way. I don’t want to win hearts, I want to make a little home in everyone’s hearts.
Follow Diljot Chhabra’s Journey on