Nora Fatehi recalls being advised on how to become ‘next Katrina Kaif’: ‘Do films as a lead, don’t overexpose yourself’
Nora Fatehi said that she was given a roadmap to stardom when she first started out in India, but she couldn't follow it. Nora Fatehi, a North African Moroccan actress and director, has created a special place for herself in the film industry after coming to India not knowing the language. She was advised to model her career on that of Katrina Kaif, who ‘was taking over’ at the time. Nora spoke to BBC Asian Network and revealed the kind of advice she received when she was first starting out. She said that she felt insecure about not knowing Hindi when she first landed in Mumbai and that she made it a point to learn the language as a mark of respect for the country that has given her so much. She started out as a contestant on Bigg Boss and then appeared in a string of hit songs in popular films.
Publicado : Hace 2 años por Entertainment Desk en Entertainment
Nora Fatehi has created a special place for herself in the film industry, despite starting from the bottom. She came to India not knowing the language, and was advised to model her career on that of Katrina Kaif, who ‘was taking over’ at that time. Nora spoke to BBC Asian Network, and revealed the kind of advice she received when she was first starting out.
“I came at a time when Katrina Kaif was taking over, and we don’t look that different,” she said, adding, “So, I wasn’t insecure about looking like an outsider. I’m not caucasian, I’m not a white girl. At the end of the day, I’m a North African Moroccan woman, and a lot of Moroccan girls look Indian and a lot of Indian girls look Moroccan. We share a lot of genetics.”
But Nora said that she certainly felt insecure about not knowing Hindi when she first landed in Mumbai. So, she made it a point to learn the language, which she said she sees as a mark of respect for the country that has given her so much.
She continued, “The penny dropped for me when so many people were like, ‘You want to be like the next Katrina Kaif, or you want to be like the next big star here, here’s what you need to do. You need to do films as a lead, don’t overexpose yourself, don’t let anyone see you much. Then, after that, you need a film that really works and then you’ll be a heroine. Then, everything will be easy for you. The brands will come, the deals will come, the big heroes will come, etc, etc. Then if you want to do a song here and there, it’s fine, or if you want to do a TV show, it’s fine. But that’s later’.”
But Nora said that she didn’t have privileges, and so, she could not ‘follow this formula’. She started out as a contestant on Bigg Boss, and then appeared in a string of hit songs in popular films. She has acted in films such as Bhuj: The Pride of India and Street Dancer 3D. Nora said in the same interview that she has four films lined up.
Temas: Bollywood