The Delhi belle syndrome

When your first movie is a runaway success, instant fame and recognition are part of the deal. For Indian origin actor Poorna Jagannathan, a career under the spotlight was all but a dream, till, in true filmy style, a chance encounter changed her life. This dusky theatre artist spent her early years chasing new experiences across continents, before finally settling down in New York, the city she says is home, "without a doubt". As the tongue-in-cheek Maneka in Delhi Belly, Tunisian born Poorna introduced the world to the new age Indian woman who does it all with gumption. Here she talks about her connection to India and her global experiences...

You’ve travelled the world as a child. Tell us more…My father was a diplomat, so I was born in Tunisia but grew up in Ireland, Pakistan, Argentina, the U.S., Brazil and a bit in India.

What is it that connects you to India?My love for the absurd. Almost everyday something will go down here that has me thinking, “Only in India”.

What keeps the Indian in you alive?I can only tell you that India and the experience of being an Indian is what resonates the deepest for me. Stories that come out of India are the stories that I connect with the most, whether they’re being told by Rushdie, Lahiri, Mira Nair or Anurag Kashyap.

As a mother, how do you juggle work, travel and motherhood?
I have a terrific husband who covers for me. Besides that, I only take projects that I love and when I do work, I try not feeling guilty about it.

What is it that keeps you motivated?
My acting style is very documentary-like in its approach. I love building characters that feel completely real and authentic.

When the going gets tough, what is your mantra?
Curl up in fetal position till it blows over.

From being a theatre personality in New York to a film star in India, what’s changed since the Delhi Belly experience?
I was always a theater actor. A lot has changed: for one, we’ve moved to India and I’m officially working in Bollywood. I wear a more high heels than I ever used to or thought I would and I Google myself way too often.

What challenges you?
The juggling between home and work life can get quite intense. I wouldn’t even call it juggling, it’s a constant picking up of the balls you’ve dropped along the way.

What according to you has been your biggest achievement?
Quitting my stable, jet setting advertising job in 2011 and going to acting school full time. Becoming broke again with the possibility of staying broke was a huge risk I took.

Who do you consider a true Global Indian?
The grace-laden Madhur Jaffrey.

Who do consider your biggest inspiration in life?
My mom who got remarried at 64 (found her soul mate through the internet may I add!!) I’d love to be open to change not matter how old I am.

If you weren’t doing what you do, what would you be doing?
In an ideal world, a fashion designer. The more realistic answer is a shrink.

The one Indian phrase that you can’t get enough of?
“Paisa vasool”. It’s the one phrase that I heard over and over again when people came out of the theaters after seeing Delhi Belly. I hope to always make movies where the audience comes out saying just that.