I don't have time to date anyone: Mahi Gill

Actress Mahi Gill, who shot to fame with her portrayal of a fiery Paro in Anurag Kashyap's 'Dev D', a modern adaptation of Sarat Charndra's classic novel 'Devdas', says she is happy being single as there is no time for romance in her life.


"At the moment I am not looking for a relationship since I don't have the time. I want somebody who respects me, that's what I really want. My life has been like a film with a mix of drama, romance, pain and emotions," Gill told in an interview.
Gill, who has already gone through a bitter divorce believes that her life resembles all the ingredients of a movie.

The actress, however, says that she chooses not to be a prisoner of her past relationship and believes in moving on in life.
"Whatever happens, happens for good and I don't have any regrets in my life. I am not in touch with my ex but I wish him all the best. He's a nice person otherwise and we have common friends," she adds.

Gill, who recently played the role of a loud reporter in 'Aage Se Right' opposite actor Shreyas Talpade, is now looking forward to her movie 'Pan Singh Tomar', which is based on a real story and stars Irrfan Khan in the lead.

A Masters in theater from Panjab University Chandigarh, Gill started her showbiz career with Punjabi film 'Havaayen' and did a couple of Punjabi movies along with theatre.

She was struggling in Mumbai for past three years when a chance encounter with Anurag Kashyap at a party landed Gill her first big break.

"I don't think I had a choice, I was struggling for work when Anurag offered me the film. I had full confidence in him as a director. There was lot of depth in my character and when I watched the film I was like, I have done this!," Gill says.
The actress was praised for her bold role as passionate Paro in the movie and later appeared in Kashyap's 'Gulal' where she played the role of a modern day courtesan.
"My character in Gulal was very difficult to portray because it wasn't very real. I had to work on it and I was nervous doing the role," says the actress.

Gill is happy with the way her career has shaped up in Bollywood.
"I haven't been typecast as people are offering me all kinds of roles in commercial films. Very soon you will see me dancing around the trees, I just want to do all kinds of roles," she says.

And Gill has plenty of films on her platter.
"There is a film 'Surmayee Shaam' with Naseerudin Shah and KK and I am doing an Arbaaz Khan production. Apart from that I am doing a song in the film called 'Mirch' directed by Vinay Shukla choreographed by Saroj Khan.

She will again be donning the look of a village belle in her next release 'Paan Singh Tomar', a true story of a talented runner who turned into a rebel.
"We used to travel to all these weird places and we were a bit scared. I am playing a village Paan Singh's wife and I have done my first stunt in the film. I have jumped from a 15 ft and without any caution and all wearing a saree but it was fun," says Gill.
The actress believes she's lucky to have worked with some of the best co-stars and directors at the very beginning of her Bollywood career.

"All the actors have been really good to me, I am very lucky that in the beginning of my career I have been able to work with them. They are all very good and have helped me a lot.

"As for directors there are so many, the list is very long- Shimit Amin, Imtiaz Ali, Ashutosh Gowaritker, Anurag Basu, Mani Ratnam and Anurag Kashyap always," she says.