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00:00Hi everyone, this is Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor, Gulf News Dubai.
00:21I'm here with Kashwi.
00:23I call her our Dubai's pride actually, for the simple reason, you've come such a long
00:28way.
00:29She is in the series called Citadel with Varun Dhawan and Samantha Roothprabhu.
00:33She has a very meaty role.
00:35She's not just an ornament or a child in it.
00:37She's a child with a lot of heft, a great character.
00:40Kashwi, are you feeling really happy about your acting debut?
00:44I feel amazing.
00:47I feel just super duper excited and I can't wait to know how everyone likes this show.
00:53Really?
00:54I've heard some very good, I've seen a couple of episodes and I thought you were really
00:58good.
00:59Natural on screen.
01:00Did you enjoy it as much?
01:01Is acting what you expected it to be?
01:04Yes, I enjoyed it as much as I could.
01:07I had the best time.
01:08I made amazing memories there.
01:11So many special memories.
01:13My first one, of course it's very special.
01:16And talking to Sam on set, Varun Bhai, and you know, playing fun games with the directors.
01:23It was just magical.
01:25Really, how many days were you filming for Citadel?
01:28Close to 21, 22 days.
01:31Were you at all nervous in front of the camera because you seemed very at home etc.
01:36And I know Naura Fateh, he kind of handpicked you for the AIFA awards ceremony.
01:41That's where it all started, right?
01:43I remember two years ago we had this conversation.
01:45So, is that where it all began?
01:47Yes, I would say thanks to Naura ma'am for, you know, finding me out.
01:53And I mean, that's where everything started.
01:55Everyone spotted me and then I got casted for this.
01:59And yeah, that's where it all started, I believe.
02:02Really, and how was it working with your Varun Bhaiya and Sam Didi, you call her?
02:06Yeah.
02:07How was it like?
02:08We call her Sam in the...
02:09We call her Sam Di on the set.
02:11Sam Di also?
02:12No, like Didi.
02:13Sam Di.
02:14But like, I just take her the other Di.
02:16So, how was it like?
02:17I mean, you know, they are seasoned actors, right?
02:19And you haven't done this before.
02:20Yeah.
02:22Did they give you tips or how did you...
02:24Or did you know all the lines?
02:26I mean, I memorized all the lines at the start.
02:30I mean, it was...
02:33Yeah, she was helping me there.
02:35And, you know, once every scene would end, the second day she'd be like,
02:41who's the best?
02:42She'd make me say and she'd say, you are the best.
02:45And I would say, no, you are too good.
02:47And she's like, it is really fun.
02:50Really? And there was a lot of action where you had to do.
02:52Like the first episode sees you on the run a bit.
02:55All that.
02:56Did you find that exciting?
02:57Yeah.
02:58Like it's not your regular, you know, child in a safe house kind of role, right?
03:01I'm a very adventurous girl.
03:03So, I mean, the character I was playing, Nadia, kind of also matched me.
03:08I mean, she's very intelligent and I think I am too.
03:13You are.
03:14You are really intelligent, I'm sure.
03:16And she's also like playing the young Priyanka Chopra, right?
03:19Yes, I'm playing young Priyanka Chopra.
03:20That's quite a cool role to start your career with, isn't it?
03:23Yeah.
03:24Did you see the original?
03:26I don't think you're allowed to, though, right?
03:28Yeah, I know.
03:29I won't even have to see my own show.
03:31I think that's so funny.
03:32But you acted in it and I guess it's because of the violence in it and all of that.
03:36Yeah.
03:37I'm going to only see my parts.
03:39My mama said that I'm only going to see, even if I don't see my parts,
03:43only the parts that are appropriate.
03:45She's going to send me out and they're going to enjoy it.
03:47Yes.
03:48Life is very unfair, but look at the brighter side.
03:51The reviews have been so kind to you.
03:53Have you been reading them and what did you think of them?
03:56I'm really grateful and glad that, you know, everyone's saying that I've been so good in the show.
04:04I mean, I'm really happy.
04:07This all started, like the shooting started one and a half years ago.
04:11And I was like so looking forward for it to release.
04:15Whenever I went to the director's, I would ask her,
04:18they put an issue story in these things.
04:20Then they finally, now it's released.
04:22And I'm super duper happy because I've got to know the reviews are good.
04:27And they said that my acting is good, so I'm super happy.
04:32I know you're not a trained actor, Kashmi.
04:34So was that a good thing?
04:36Or you just love acting?
04:38You just don't want to go to like a school or anything?
04:40You think I was born to act?
04:42I think that's true.
04:44Really?
04:46Is that what you just woke up and you're like, I'm going to be an actress?
04:49That's all started before.
04:52Before that, I was more passionate about dancing.
04:57I used to dance all the time.
05:00When I was like a baby and I was six to eight months,
05:03I would move my body on the beats.
05:06I didn't understand anything, but I would just move it.
05:10I used to wake up like my mama would play the song.
05:13And I would wake up dancing like that.
05:16Oh, that is so cute.
05:17Is Bollywood where you want to be ultimately?
05:20Is that your dream?
05:21You're already in a web series, which is a great start.
05:24With Samantha Prabhu and then it's backed by Russo Brothers.
05:28It's as big as it gets, but what's your ultimate now?
05:31Where do you go next?
05:33I mean, yes, my dream is always to become an actor.
05:36When I grow up, I want to be an actor.
05:39I want to be not only an actor, I want to be a good actor too.
05:44Who also acts good, not just saying I'm an actor.
05:48I mean, I want to be an all-rounder.
05:51I also want to be a singer, I was thinking.
05:56I want to be good at dancing.
05:59I want to learn new things too, like gymnastics.
06:02I know a bit.
06:03I want to learn aerial now.
06:05I want to learn it.
06:07And yeah, I always want to keep on learning new stuff.
06:11So I think, yeah.
06:12Yeah, that's where you want to be as well.
06:14I know you're just nine years old, right?
06:16I want to become the next PC.
06:19Oh, next PC?
06:20Really?
06:21Is she your idol though?
06:22Yes, I mean, she went from Bollywood to Hollywood.
06:26And I think that I want to start up in Bollywood.
06:30And yes, she is really a very good inspiration.
06:33The way she started, she's in Bollywood, then she's in Hollywood.
06:36And now she's going up and up and up and up.
06:39That is true.
06:40That is true.
06:41No, no, she makes us incredibly proud.
06:43Being in Dubai, is that a great thing though?
06:45Do you think at finally you guys, I mean, you'll ask your parents maybe,
06:48let's go to Mumbai, try our hand at full time.
06:52Have you thought of it?
06:53You're all of nine years old.
06:54I don't think you can make these decisions.
06:56But do you tell your parents that?
07:00I mean, you know, I've just done one project now.
07:04But then I think my next project, though we don't plan or anything,
07:10but it might be like after two or three years or something like that.
07:13No, you never know.
07:14Yeah.
07:15You never know.
07:16Are you still on the lookout?
07:17Like, has the acting bug caught you?
07:19And you're like, you know what, if something comes along?
07:21Yes, I do want to still act.
07:23I mean, I miss the sets.
07:24I really miss the sets.
07:27But I mean, then at the same time, I also don't want to miss school.
07:32Okay, so you want both?
07:34Yeah.
07:35There's always home learning.
07:36So it's hard to decide.
07:37But I mean, I like to go to physical school more.
07:40Because when it's home learning, I mean, you don't really get to make friends.
07:44What did your friends say about you?
07:46Have you become the most popular child in school now?
07:50That used to be in my previous school.
07:54Everyone would just come up and randomly start saying,
07:56are you Kashmi?
07:57Are you in that ad?
07:59Are you in that this?
08:00And I'm like, yeah.
08:01But now, in my new school, people didn't know me before.
08:05But now people are starting to recognise me.
08:07Like, my classmates were like, you know, we were stalking you for four hours yesterday.
08:12Really?
08:13Yeah.
08:14And they know everything about it.
08:15I danced with Nora.
08:16And from all my shanties, they were like,
08:18either I'm in this OTT and they're going to watch it and stuff.
08:22I'm like, now people are, yeah, now they're starting to recognise me.
08:26Even your trailer launch was kind of popular.
08:29Because you kind of stole the thunder from both Varun and Samantha.
08:32All these adults, with your cuteness.
08:34Was that a fun thing as well?
08:36Wasn't that your first taste of success, of being in the limelight?
08:40Yeah, I think that really was.
08:43I mean, it was actually super duper me.
08:47I mean, it was just me.
08:48I just spoke my heart out there.
08:51So, it was a really fun event.
08:54And really, you know, it was my first event,
08:58a proper event that I attended.
09:01So, yeah, it was really special and I look forward to more.
09:04I know, I love it.
09:05And what is the best part about acting with Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu
09:09and being directed by Rajan DK,
09:11who are like one of the best series directors that's out there?
09:16With Rajan DK, sir, I had splendid fun.
09:19So much fun.
09:20Like, it's indescribable.
09:23Every time, like, the first day,
09:26he was super duper nice to me.
09:28Like, you know, when we were in the middle of the shoot,
09:31they were like, you know, when they were setting up the cameras and all of that,
09:34because we had an early call time and all.
09:36So, at the time we were waiting,
09:38you know, they would play games with me and all of that.
09:40They would play this game.
09:42And then, sometimes Raksha would win.
09:45Sometimes I would win.
09:47Right, right.
09:48So, it was a lot of fun.
09:49So, for the first acting gig,
09:51you have the fondest memories of.
09:53Yes.
09:54Do you think?
09:55I really have the best memories.
09:56No, I'm so glad.
09:57And I think you're going to, like, do a lot more.
09:59Like, I'm going to see you a lot more.
10:01Something tells me.
10:02And you've done so well in Citadel.
10:04Well done, you.
10:05Thank you so much.
10:06And you're all of nine years old.
10:07And here is she, making strides in Bollywood and beyond.