Unlike Latika, I am a very selfless person’- Alefia Kapadia

Alefia Kapadia is amused when she is accosted by gullible viewers who think she’s a ‘bad’ girl like her on screen persona Latika in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meeta Meetha Pyaara Pyaara on Star Plus. We in talks with the actress…

How did you bag the role of Latika in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai…Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara?

For me it was almost God sent. I have been living in Dubai since the past eight years. Before I moved to Dubai I have done serials, music videos and short films. I came back in January this year and I started auditioning for roles, the role for Latika was recommended to me so I went and did the audition. Normally Rajhshri production makes Indian cultural serials, but I always wanted to do a role which was a bit different, not the typical saree clad, sad, depressed and tortured girl kind of role. So when I went there and they showed me the script and role I was super excited, because Latika has a lot of shades and wears hip western dresses and she talks with a lot of English in her dialogues. I wanted the role and I gave my best audition and the production house liked it so much that from the first audition they called me and wanted me on board.

How has your journey been so far in the industry?

The journey so far has been a cake walk better than I had ever dreamed of, God has been kind to me. I have been able to get significant roles and I am working with lovely people and I have a very positive attitude about life. When I came back I was not sure and everyone said I had to start from scratch and go for auditions, but somehow I knew that acting was my passion, so I knew somehow I had to make a start and start climbing the ladder of progress.

How is the real Alefia Kapadia in person?

Unlike Latika, I am a very selfless person, I sometimes have to remind myself, that you are a human being and you have to have to self respect, don’t bow that much that someone walk over you. Alefia is very different, I am a very modern girl who likes to wear trendy clothes but on the other hand I am very homely and love to spend time with my family, and I don’t like partying so much, I like to go for dinner and movie with family and friends, so I am a very simple, humble and down to earth person. I have experienced that people see me and say, “OMG it is Latika she is very bad, she parties and smokes cigarettes,” which makes me laugh as normally the audience does get carried away with the characters onscreen image, so I take it as compliment.

How is the bonding between you, Nakuul Mehta and Disha Parmar on the sets?

We have so much fun, Nakuul and I get very much along as we are very close in age also, and Disha is like the baby on the set, so we treat her like a baby and pull her leg, scare her and play pranks on her. But other than that we are having a very loving chemistry where we look out for each other, we are very supportive and help each other with the dialogues. In the show there are many scenes where Latika has to hug Aditya, these are the most hilarious scenes as before the shots we keep adjusting how to do it. We have a very fun relation on the sets, sharing each other’s food and lunch.

Please narrate a fun incident that happened on the set recently.

One day people from ABP news had come on the sets and I was wearing an animal print dress. While the interview was going on, on the camera, Nakuul came over to me and said, “You know what Disha told me when she saw you wearing the dress, guess what is Alefia’s favourite animal”, just then Disha turned around and said “it must the cheetah”, because I was wearing a cheetah print dress, he was actually trying to create a misunderstanding between me and Disha and thought maybe we will fight, and the funniest was when me and Disha started laughing and Nakuul got embarrassed that it didn’t work on us. Also now Shivam has entered the show so we pull Disha’s leg that you look good with Shivam, he is like you, you guys must get together, and we do this off camera also, you guys should for go movie.

Who are your favourite actor and actress?

Shah Rukh Khan as he has this passion for his work. So far as acting is concerned it is Aamir Khan, I like the way he totally transfers into the character he plays and for the masti and humorous side I like Salman Khan. As an actress I like Sridevi and I am looking forward to seeing her movie tomorrow.

What is your favourite food?

I am a foodie, I can have anything and everything at anytime. My favourite cuisine is Chinese.

What is your relationship status?

I am absolutely single, at the moment work is my priority, but the dream man should be funny, tall, dark, handsome and should be an encouraging and humble person who respects others.

What is your favourite holiday destination?

I like Singapore the best, I have been to all the Eastern countries but I like Singapore the most for its natural beauty and entertainment and would love to go there anytime.

What is your dressing style when you are not shooting?

I am a very comfortable person, I don’t like jeans, I wear a lot of dresses and my mom gets fed up. I have a dress for every occasion, a dress for shopping, parties, casual dresses, outing with friends but I am a very practical kind of a person and comfort is my style.