Bollywood breakthrough

Remember Wake Up Sid, the one movie that anyone from today’s generation could relate to? In this extremely fresh and fun-filled movie, one couldn’t help but notice Kainaz Motivala who played the role of Tanya Lathia, Ranbir Kapoor’s effervescent friend and colleague. After Wake Up Sid, Motivala has been seen in movies such as Paathshaala (which, technically, is her first movie, though Wake Up Sid was her first release) and Ragini MMS. She has also appeared in some advertisements and other publicity material.

Kainaz Motivala; A poster of Ragini MMS

The 25-year-old’s entry into Bollywood was so easy it almost feels like a dream. The journalist-turned-actor recounts how it all began. "It just happened by chance; nothing was planned. I was working for this magazine called HAIR, and was coordinating a makeover shoot for them. One of the assistant directors from Paathshaala who had come to get a makeover saw me and told me about this character she wanted me to audition for. Curious about what a film audition is like, I went for it and, surprisingly, got the part!”

She continues, "Originally, the plan was to do Paathshaala and go back to journalism; I wanted to do this one-off thing to show my grandchildren that I did a film with Shahid Kapur (laughs)! However, eventually, I ended up liking the process so much that I decided that this is what I really want to do.”

While her entry into Bollywood was serendipitous, subsequently things have not been as simple or smooth. "You have to keep struggling and go for a number of auditions. Of course, there are a lot of rejections. It is very important for you to be patient and believe in yourself because if you lose hope and become impatient, you cannot make it in this industry which is very ruthless.”

Motivala’s parents, Zenobia and Viraf, and younger sister Karishma, are her greatest pillars of strength. When she broke the news to her parents that she would be joining Bollywood, "they just asked me if I was certain that I wanted to do this as journalism is a very secure profession while Bollywood is not. In fact, in the beginning, you often don’t know when to expect your next cheque. But I was very sure that it was what I wanted to do, and didn’t want to have any regrets later. After knowing my mind, they were fine with me going ahead. Luckily, my parents have always been like this… they caution me and give me advice, but always leave the final decision to me.”

A still from Ragini MMS. At the music launch of Ragini MMS (2nd from right) with Jeetendra and Ekta Kapoor (2nd and 3rd from left);

Kainaz Motivala in Paathshaala (right)

Motivala, who initially lived in Cama Park, Andheri and then shifted to Dadar, has truly enjoyed her modest childhood and teenage years. After completing her schooling at the J. B. Vachha High School, she studied mass media at Jai Hind College. Though Bollywood may have been a relatively new act, Motivala was no stranger to glitz and glamor, having been part of Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe for six years. In fact, even today, when she’s not shooting, she indulges in dancing which she enjoys. She also likes reading, working out, spending time with dogs and writing. She notes, "Luckily, I’ve still held on to the writer in me!”

When asked about a personality who truly inspires her, Motivala reveals, "There are so many people who inspire me all the time. In fact, I derive a lot of inspiration from everyday people. For instance, I love dogs and there was this lady I was reading about who had adopted many stray and abandoned dogs; that was something that inspired me. So, when regular people do such wonderful things, it inspires me much more than somebody who is written about regularly in the newspapers.”

While she is not a very religious person and doesn’t participate in the practice of rituals, etc, Motivala "believes in God 100 percent; I have complete faith in Him. As far as religion is concerned, I feel it’s a great way for many people to find a spiritual connection with God. However, personally, I feel that there are many other ways of finding that spiritual connection with Him.”

When asked about the one factor that unites her with the concept of God, pat comes the reply, "Mothers, for sure! While for many this may be a cliché, I really do believe in the saying ‘God could not be everywhere, so He created mothers.’ I think, my mom is the most amazing person ever and so inspiring.”

Recently, Motivala wrapped up shooting for a movie called Chalo Driver, which should release in early 2012. She elaborates, "Chalo Driver is a film from a new production house called Orange Canvas Films. It’s a very light, fun, family film… something extremely different from Ragini MMS, as I really needed a break from the serious stuff.” She concludes saying, "My future plans are quite simple — I want to continue doing good films and keep acting because I love it so much!”