Pratibha Ranta, in a recent interview, shared her take on star kids getting multiple projects despite delivering flop films.
Pratibha Ranta charmed everyone with her role of Pushpa Rani in Kiran Rao’s acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies which released last year. The actress who hails from a non-film background, went on to bag several awards for her performance in the film.
In a recent chat with Cosmopolitan magazine, Pratibha was asked to share her thoughts on star kids having films lined up for them even when they fail to deliver hit films.
The actress responded by saying, “I think we’re at a strange turning point where the industry is figuring out what the audience truly wants. The stakes are higher than ever because audiences now have a direct say—they’ll tell you exactly what they love and what they absolutely don’t. It’s no longer just about newcomers; everyone is being held accountable.”
She continued, “If a star kid is genuinely good at their job, they earn their due respect and credit. And the same goes for an outsider—I think, in this regard, things have started becoming fairer. And at the end of the day, if you put in the work, opportunities will come your way. So instead of worrying about who’s getting what, I tend to keep my head down and work hard.”
Pratibha also reflected upon her early days in the industry and said that no one prepares you for the amount of rejections you face once you land in Mumbai and start auditioning for roles.
“There are rejections on a daily basis. At first, whenever I was shortlisted or even selected for an audition, I’d get my hopes up, convinced that this was it. But when things didn’t work out, the disappointment hit hard. Eventually, I learnt to detach myself from expectations altogether. And funnily enough, that’s when things started taking a turn for the better. It felt like a gift from the universe—like something truly special,” the actress said.
Admitting that the constant cycle of hope and rejection can shake one’s confidence and make them question their worth, Pratibha emphasized that one needs something to ground them and remind them that they are good enough. The actress said that for her, it was dance and yoga that helped her to keep her body and mind in check.
Speaking about getting to work with filmmakers like Kiran Rao and Sanjay Leela Bhansali early in her career, she said, “I think they’ve built a strong foundation for me, now my approach to work is shaped by my experiences on their sets. ”
“I still remember Kiran (Rao) ma’am telling me that my eyes are very expressive and that I should maintain that. And I do. They’ve changed the way I look at cinema and it’s a blessing,” said the actress who worked in TV shows like Kurbaan Hua before making her transition into films.
On the work front, Pratibha is yet to announce her next film.
