Iranian-German actress Elnaaz Norouzi, known for her work in 'Sacred Games' and 'Tehran', has given a candid interview about her challenging journey in the Hindi film industry. She openly admits to still feeling like an outsider and facing constant hurdles, including frequently losing roles to star kids.
The Reality of Being an Outsider in Bollywood
In a recent conversation with News 18, Elnaaz Norouzi did not sugarcoat her experiences. She stated plainly that she is still an outsider in Bollywood and that carving out a space for herself has been a difficult process. She described it as an ongoing challenge, but one she embraces.
"I'm still an outsider. It was difficult to find my space, and I'm still carving it out. It's not easy, but I'm loving it. It's a challenge, and I love challenges, so it's okay," the actress revealed. She emphasized that she does not pretend her path is smooth and instead chooses to accept the struggle and grow from it, learning something new from the grind every day.
Losing Roles to Industry Insiders is Common
When directly questioned about whether she loses out on roles to star kids or established popular names, Elnaaz's answer was immediate and unambiguous. She responded, "Yeah. All the time."
She elaborated that the reality of the industry is that many projects are conceived with specific, already-established actors in mind. "Of course, some projects are built from the ground up for actors who already have a certain stature in the industry. That's very obvious and out there," she explained. Norouzi said she now understands how the system operates and this knowledge helps her stay calm and focused rather than shocked by the rejections.
Focusing on Craft Over Nepotism
For Elnaaz, the only time a rejection stings personally is when it is purely based on acting talent. She shared her personal metric for dealing with auditions. "For me, if I audition for something fairly, where everyone has a chance and the best actor gets it, then if I don't, I reflect on where I could improve in my craft," she said.
She contrasted this with situations where the selection is not merit-based, stating, "But if it's not about acting, I don't take it personally." She cited her role in the series 'Tehran' as an example of a fair process, where she was chosen after a global audition because her acting and fit for the role were the best.
Preparing Herself and Setting Boundaries
The actress has actively worked on herself to eliminate any perceived weaknesses. She mentioned learning to read and write Hindi and taking dance lessons specifically to become a more competitive candidate. "I didn't wanna lack on those," she asserted.
Elnaaz also spoke about being very deliberate with her on-screen choices, especially regarding intimate scenes. She believes such scenes must serve a clear narrative purpose. "Even something like a kissing or intimate scene has to serve a purpose. Is it adding anything to the story at that moment? Is it necessary? Does it change something in the narrative?" she questioned.
She revealed a personal anecdote about her role in 'Sacred Games Season 2', where an intimate scene with co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui was scripted. "I was almost about to say no to the show because I didn't want to do that scene," she confessed, highlighting her commitment to her personal boundaries even for a major project.
Through her honest revelations, Elnaaz Norouzi paints a realistic picture of the perseverance required for an outsider to navigate the complex ecosystem of Bollywood, while maintaining her integrity and focus on her art.
