Ahead of the release of 'Naa Love Story', its heroine Sonakshi Singh speaks about her background, her role in the movie, sexual exploitation in the modeling industry and more.

What is your background? And how did you land up this movie?

My ancestral origin is Rajasthan but I was brought up in Mumbai. I am in the third year of Business Management graduation. I became a model when I was 16. I have done about 12 commercials over the last five years. Although I have done many modeling assignments, 'Naa Love Story' is my first film. I was let known by someone I know that the makers of this movie were searching for a new face. But they selected any girl since they liked none. My pic is the last profile the makers came across. On the first day of the shoot, I was tensed to face the camera. To compound my worry, a romantic song was shot on Day 1. With my team helping me out in dialogue-delivery, etc, I could slowly catch up.

What kind of a role have you played in the movie?

I will be seen in a middle-class girl who is rather reserved and has got only one friend. Her father restricts her movements, and doesn't let her move freely. I am waiting for the audience's response.

Is your father too like this in real life?

We are four sisters. My father is a businessman and he never stopped us from pursuing our dreams. He never forced anything upon us. As such, there are no similarities between my reel and real-life characters.

Have you watched any Telugu movies in the past?

I do watch Telugu movies dubbed into Hindi on TV. In theatres, I have watched 'Baahubali' and 'Arjun Reddy' in Telugu. I personally like Allu Arjun. In fact, he is the one actor to whose songs I and my friends love to dance often. Some of my North Indian friends don't know who he is but they love his blockbuster numbers like 'Top Lechi Poddi'. I find Mahesh Babu so very cute. I like Jr. NTR, too. They both dance so well. I have always loved Sridevi garu since childhood. Sushmitha Sen and Priyanka Chopra are among my favourites.

Did you take acting classes?

I don't believe in acting courses much. I believe in the approach of believing in a character and involving oneself deeply. I got to learn a lot from director Shiva Gangadhar (of 'Naa Love Story'). As a child, I used to stand in front of a mirror and practice dialogue delivery. That experience has come in handy.

Is it true that men too victims of casting couch in the film industry?

Men are victims of sexual exploitation more in the modeling industry. I know it well as I have been a model. I myself know some of the men at the receiving end. In the film industry, it's women who are the bigger victims.

Who exploits the gullible, aspiring models? Is it rich women?

Yes, obviously.