Don't Tell Athiya Shetty What To Do!

Our April cover star has some surprises up her sleeve. In a no-holds barred chat, the warm, spirited and opinionated Athiya Shetty discusses her foray into films, the causes she feels strongly about, and the ‘dirty word’ she’s proud to be called.

- Meghna Sharma

If first impressions are to be believed, Athiya Shetty is someone who’d rather keep to herself—shy, introverted, some may even use the word ‘aloof’. That’s probably why they say first appearances can be deceptive. Because from the second we exchange hellos, it’s evident that Athiya has a palpable warmth to her. And it no longer feels like an interview; just two people chatting about this and that.

Of course, this isn’t her first cover with Cosmo. She was our covergirl over two years ago, fresh after her Bollywood debut (in Hero opposite Sooraj Pancholi). “I remember that cover shoot vividly. I was so nervous and awkward, and remember thinking ‘What’s going on?’. But during this one, I was so much more at ease,” Athiya laughs.

She goes on to reveal that a lot has changed in the past three years, since she faced the camera for the first time. The monumental shifts have been mostly internal, starting with her confidence levels: “I have more faith in myself, and I’m definitely more confident than I was a few years ago. You become more self-aware with every photoshoot and film. I also feel a lot freer in front of the camera now—it brings with it a happy, positive energy,” she says. “I feel like I’ve grown up a lot. I now know what’s important in life and what to let go of. Just by being on set every day, meeting new people, successes, failures... every experience teaches you and shapes you to be the person that you are today. And that’s an ongoing process,” Athiya says, with a wise nod.