'Be aware, and come prepared' - Nazneen Patni

"Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." - Casey Kasem

When Casey Kasem said those lines, all she meant was keep your focus intact, and work towards attaining your goals. Nazneen Patni embodies every word of the aforementioned quote to perfection, as she was always focused on being a performer, and did anything and everything in her power to reach her goals. 

It was this sheer determination and the focus that has helped her carve a niche for self in the film fraternity. As a person with dreams, and hope she has worked during the blossoming and rainy days with the same passion, and is now a sought after name in the film fraternity. 

I recently had the opportunity to connect with her, and discuss on varied topics. Here’s presenting the conversation for all to read, Enjoy!

1) How did you become interested in the show business?

Naaz: I always wanted to be an actor, or may I say a performer. This has been something that was in the back of my mind since the get-go and I finally get to live that dream. All the jobs taken beforehand like news anchor or voiceover artist were a way to convince my family that media field has a huge scope. After that was done, I made the move to Mumbai, to achieve what I wanted. I already knew that I had the skills, and now the world needs to see it. I didn’t take any acting or theatre classes per say for this field of work. It’s all my own set of learning and understanding.

2) Over the years of your experience, what has been motivating: work or the people you work with?

Naaz: Over the 3 years of my time in Mumbai, I observe anything and everything, from the associates that work backstage to the actors in front of the camera. The effort, determination and admiration shown by these people that are focused towards work motivate me, and I always follow people filled with the zeal to work.

3) A lot of users have been named in the #MeToo movement and the recent sting by Cobra Post about paid advertisement. Do you think this impacts the business?

Naaz: While the #MeToo movement emerged some months back in India, and worldwide, the fact that people have been subjected to such issues for a long time, is definitely undeniable. The world has issues, and despite such issues being brought to life, they shall diminish not perish. If you wish to curb them, raise the voice, when it happens, not when someone else raises a voice, that you decide on sharing your experience too. Better prevent and prepare than repent and repair.

4) How was the experience working in Euphoria, My Father Iqbal and Ram Janmabhoomi?

Naaz: Euphoria was shot in Nagpur, and most of them were students. It was a hit and trial option, and this experience indeed test me during many scenes including the smoking scene as I had issues smoking, due to no experience of the same. Ram Janmabhoomi was shot in U.P., and as this topic sounded a bit controversial, and with least to no information of facts people would launch at us, so the shooting was done on a to and fro basis. My Father Iqbal is a beautiful film, shot in Kashmir, where we had an amazing experience.

5) You have worked in films and web series. Which medium is easier and better?

Naaz: Working in both mediums is of the same energy and requires you to perform your character in the best way possible. Films give you a lot of time to understand the character, while web series don’t give you that time. You can discuss about your character with the director in films, whereas when I did the web series, the dialogues and script were given instantly, which is another thing that happens in web series. I find films better than any other medium because it’s a story that is showcased in some time.

6) Do you think Web Series and online viewing will be the next big thing? If no, then what measures should be taken to make it prevail?

Naaz: Indeed, web series and mobile will be the next thing, because the first thing we look at after getting up is mobile, and with everyone providing an app, the viewing experience has changed. After buying the costliest ticket no one wants to go to the cinema halls, and invest time. No one wants to keep a remote at hand, because we can watch things while being mobile. Also, this has increased the work options for all, especially actors who have more work by their side now.

7) What are your upcoming projects?

Naaz: ‘Boo yaaah’ is an upcoming movie with Remo D’Souza where I work with kids, as their leader Bittu Ustad. Another movie titled ‘Rahu Tujhme’ stars Manoj Joshi, Rajpal Yadav, Narendra Jha and Mohit Madan. There is a album for Zee Music as well that has just finished. Along with the aforementioned, a movie titled, ’Breast Tax’ is also a finished project which is getting a lot of appreciation at various film festivals, and is also selected for the coveted National Award. I did a movie with Sanjay Mishra titled, ’DNA mein Gandhi Ji’ which is another up and coming project.

8) Any advice that you have for the readers?

Naaz: Whenever you read anything about movies, or watch any movie, don't stop dreaming, because dreams do come true. We as Indians have been brought up admiring Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan, but we don’t know how to pursue the dreams. With accolades from friends and family, we believe that becoming an actor is easier, but there are so many people with 6 pack abs who are still without work in the city. Without a work ethic and good skills, you can’t sustain the impact of the city. Success doesn’t come instantly, so always be ready to accept a NO. Don’t make stress and depression a part of your attributes.*

*Interview scripted by: Amit Shukla based on the voice notes and responses from Nazneen Patni.

All images courtesy Nazneenpatni.com.