Vishal Jethwa: 'Aneet Padda would cry without glycerine for her scenes'- Exclusive

Fresh off the success of Homebound, India’s official entry to the Oscars, actor Vishal Jethwa is still catching his breath. He has been bombarded with calls from friends, family and industry folks, praising him for his work in the film which was based in Basharat Peer’s column from The New York Times, brought to life by Neeraj Ghyawan. In the whirlwind of accolades, Vishal brings up with genuine admiration for his Salaam Venky co-star Aneet Padda. Aneet recently starred in Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara with Ahaan Panday and it is currently the second biggest grosser of the year.

Talking about Aneet during their first meeting during the shooting of the film Vishal said “When I met her I thought I won’t be surprised when she will do a good job on screen. I wasn’t going to be surprised, but she still surprised me .”


That surprise, as it turned out, wasn’t just a fleeting moment. It was the beginning of what would become a formidable rise in the industry. “I was so sure that she will do well because she has a good sense of performance. She is a natural. She has a good sense of performance and when coupled with good direction she excels,” he added.

Vishal also revealed a lesser known aspect of Aneet’s acting craft, he shared, “On the sets, we had to do a few emotional scenes, and she would cry without glycerine in every shot. Also in the moments where she had to feel, she would really touch those emotions.”

What’s remarkable is that Vishal’s belief in Aneet wasn't limited to what he saw on set. He observed her sharp mind and composed demeanor during media interactions, too.“Even when I used to hear her in interviews during the Salaam Venky promotions , I realized how intelligent she was and she looks so beautiful . She has entered the industry at the right time.”