‘Now who is that new face?’
This is what one ends up exclaiming on seeing pretty young woman Ankita Srivastava in the posters, promotion and other publicity material of Welcome Back. In the Firoz Nadiadwallah production which is peppered with stars as big as Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia, Paresh Rawal and Naseeruddin Shah, one didn’t really expect newcomer Ankita Srivastava to find much attention alongside Shruti Haasan. However, other than a prominent inclusion in the promotional plans of the Eros film, the Lucknow girl has also managed to make it big by finding quite a few songs to her credit too.
“Obviously, working with such big stars is a big deal indeed; I have enjoyed so much on Welcome Back,” says Ankita, “There is so much that I got to learn from my co-actors. Honestly, the film has been a great journey for me. More so, since it is a comedy film. Working with Aneesji (Bazmee) was such a pleasure. He makes films that are out and out fun-n-frolic. This is what I expected from Welcome Back and this is what I got from it.”
In the film she not just plays the part of a Rajkumari but is also in the midst of a love triangle featuring Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar.
“The beauty of my character and that of Dimple’s (who is playing her mother – Maharani) is such that we bring in something new to the film,” smiles Ankita, “Ours are new characters in the film. On the other hand John and Shruti have their own love angle. As for my love triangle then well, what I can tell you is that I am in love with both Anil sir and Nana sir, and am confused that with whom should I get married. I love them both and both of them love me. I am confused and the manner in which this love progresses is something that leads to hilarious situations.”
Meanwhile closer home, it is an emotional moment for Ankita’s family.
“I have one brother and a sister while my parents are in Lucknow. They are all so thrilled and happy for me. They are still on the seventh cloud,” says Ankita.
With the film running in theaters now, she can well expect to hear from them on the response soon.
