Nora Fatehi: Despite Injury, I Continued Shooting for ‘Matka’

Bollywood Mascot: Nora Fatehi, known for her sizzling performances and dance moves, is all set to star alongside Telugu cinema’s star Varun Tej in the much-anticipated film Matka. In a recent interview, Nora shared some behind-the-scenes insights into her journey in the South Indian film industry and the challenges she faced while shooting for Matka, including an injury during filming.

Nora Fatehi on Her Character and the Role

In Matka, Nora plays Sophia, a cabaret dancer whose entry into the life of Varun Tej’s character, Vasu, brings a major transformation in the story. Speaking about her character, Nora said, “Sophia is a cabaret dancer, and when she enters Vasu’s life, a lot of things change. This film has a very different look for me, which was exciting to explore.”

The Biggest Challenge on Set: Telugu Dialogues

Nora, who has worked on several dance numbers in the South, shared that speaking in Telugu was one of the most challenging parts of filming Matka. “The toughest part of the film for me was speaking in Telugu. The director and I worked really hard on my character and the language. The first day of shooting was with Varun, and I had these long dialogues. I couldn’t sleep the entire night, worrying about how I would deliver them. I thought I was going to lose my mind,” she recalled with a laugh.

However, Varun Tej, who plays the lead role of Vasu, made Nora feel at ease on set. “When I arrived at the set, Varun was incredibly supportive. He made me feel comfortable and helped me get into the groove.”

Filming Through Injury: A Dedication to the Project

Nora also revealed that she sustained an injury while filming a dance sequence in Matka, but she chose to push through the pain because she was given the opportunity to act in a South Indian film after a gap of seven years. “I got injured while filming the song, but we had to complete the shoot within five days. So, I continued shooting despite the pain. After that, I took a break and didn’t shoot for any film for a month,” Nora shared. “It was a huge opportunity for me to act in a South film after seven years, and I didn’t want to miss it. For me, acting in this film was a special journey.”

Gratitude for the Opportunity

Nora expressed her excitement when she first got the offer for Matka. She mentioned that even though she had performed in several songs for South films before, this was her first major acting role in the industry. “I was so happy when I got the opportunity. I’ve been working in the South industry for seven years, doing several songs, but acting was always my goal. I did a song in Varun Tej’s previous film as well, and back then, I told him, ‘I’m doing this song because I want to act!’ And now, look, I’ve gotten the chance to work in his film as an actor.”

The Journey to Bollywood: Overcoming Challenges

Before entering the film industry, Nora was unaware of the hurdles that lay ahead. “When I came to Mumbai, I had no real preparation. I thought I would become a star as soon as I arrived. But I realized that there was a lot to learn. I didn’t know Hindi, so I started learning the language first. I trained myself to be a performer,” she shared, reflecting on her early struggles in the industry.

Nora also acknowledged the challenges she faced regarding her language skills, and how she worked hard to overcome them. “In the beginning, I faced a lot of ridicule because of my accent, but I didn’t let that discourage me. I focused on improving myself.”

Inspiration from Other Actresses

Nora drew inspiration from Bollywood actresses like Katrina Kaif and Jacqueline Fernandez, who made a successful mark in the industry despite not being Indian. “Before entering the industry, I watched films like Devdas and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and I always thought only Indian girls could make it in Bollywood. But when I saw Katrina Kaif and Jacqueline Fernandez doing well here, I realized that I too could make it.”

Reflecting on Her Early Career

Nora remembered her initial days in the industry and the struggles she faced, including many auditions where she faced rejection due to her language barrier. “I started with small roles and always hoped for a chance. After the song Dilbar, people started to think that I could only do songs. But I wanted to act. I didn’t want to get typecast,” she explained. She also thanked Kunal Khemu for giving her an acting opportunity in Madgaon Express, which marked a significant turning point in her career.

The Price of Simplicity: People Took Advantage

Despite her rising fame, Nora admitted that her simplicity and willingness to work without demanding high pay initially led to some exploitation. “Apart from Dilbar, I did many songs for free. At that time, making money wasn’t my priority. I came to the industry to prove myself, not to earn money. There are other ways to make money. The most important thing for me was to get the opportunity to work in the film industry. I had to make compromises to prove myself, and I don’t see anything wrong with that,” she said, speaking candidly about her journey.