Says Mahie Gill, who likens herself to Paro's character in Devdas

She is no Suchitra Sen or Aishwarya Rai, yet her portrayal of the iconic romantic character Paro revealed dimensions into the character, hitherto explored.

The raw appeal that Mahie Gill was able to inculcate into the heroin of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay made everybody sit up and take note.

The Punjabi kudi from Chandigarh starred in many Punjabi movies before maverick filmmaker Anurag Kashyap noticed her during a party. Mahie says she identifies with Paro's character in Kashyap's Dev D. She was in the city for a promotional do. MiD DAY caught up with the bold, brash Paro.



How did Dev D's success change your life?
I am really happy for the recognition the character of Paro brought me. When Dev D was offered I had no option but to accept it, as I needed work to sustain myself in Mumbai .

As a person, how close are you to the character of Paro?
There are many similarities. I am temperamental, short-tempered, always speak my mind and, like Paro, I have also moved on in life (referring to her divorce). Only I haven't had sex in the fields (she laughs).