Naam Taapsee

- 

Back then you were a software professional. How has the shift been from being an engineer to a model and then to an actress?

Well, I became a software engineer because I had a keen interest in mathematics and it seemed an ideal degree. However, half way through I knew that this wasn’t something I loved but I didn’t want to quit it either. I thought I would finish it and of course, I had a choice of doing my MBA. Meanwhile to keep myself occupied and happy, I actively participated in activities like dancing and public speaking in college. And I also got my pictures clicked since people felt that I could be a model. But I took it only as a source of pocket money. I gave it a shot for the sake of gaining experience because I have been really adventurous with my life. Fortunately, I immediately got a good response and started shooting for a lot of print advertisements which eventually led to a lot of casting directors approaching me.

Did your family support you with your career choices?

No, initially they didn’t. Though my mother has always supported me. My father, on the other hand, was very shocked because I had shown no trace of someone who loves Bollywood or acting. He had sleepless nights seeing me model. He feared it would hamper my education. But I assured him that’s not what would happen but he didn’t believe me. Later when he saw my pictures on good advertisements, banners and magazines that’s when he believed that the glam world was not that bad. But it took me time to make him accept the fact that I was doing fine.