'Karan Singh Grover treats me like his real sister': Neha Laxmi Iyer

The very cute and chubby Neha Laxmi Iyer, who is better known as 'Nazma' of Qubool Hai gets in a conversation with Tellybuzz and shares with us about her early childhood days, her professional life and her journey so far in the industry.

How did acting happen to you?

I started my acting career 16 years back as a child artist, when I was just 6. After working in couple of shows like 'Bangei Apni Baat', 'Hum Paanch', I took a break for my higher studies. Thereafter, I made a comeback with 'Na Aana Is Des Laado' on Colors and now I am doing 'Qubool Hai'.

Since you started acting at a young age, has it helped?

Well, it has helped me technically, but even if you have an acting background as a child artist, you are still considered a fresher when you are grown up. So even though I had a knack of the acting profession, I had to start from scratch.

Which show according to you has proved to be a turning point in your career?

Post come-back, my first show 'Na Aana Is Des Laado' somehow proved to be a turning point down the line. However, all my shows so far have helped me to improve and showcase my talent. I have been appreciated for my character 'Divya 'in 'Krishnaben Khakrawal'. Also, after my stint in Crime Patrol, whereby I played the role of a mentally challenged girl, I received accolades for my work and was flooded with calls and appreciation messages. Nevertheless, my present show 'Qubool Hai' is also cherished and admired a lot.    

How do you relate yourself with your on-screen character Nazma, in Qubool Hai?

Talking about Qubool Hai, the character I'm playing Nazma is a diligent student who tops her class. Counting the similarities, I'm similar to my character only when it comes to dieting. Nazma tries to follow various diets but never really sticks to them, and that is exactly what I do. (Laughs) Otherwise, I'm totally opposite to Nazma in real life. In reality, I'm very bold, outspoken and tomboyish. Suppose if someone tries to bully me, I would slap that person fearlessly, where else Nazma would get nervous and scared.

With whom do you share the best bond on the sets of Qubool hai?

I share the best bond with Ketki Kadam who is playing the role of Humaira in the show. We also share a common room and hang out together most of the times. Ketki stays in Pune, so I've been to her house quite often. Other than Ketki, I also share a great bond with Karan Bhaiyya (Karan Singh Grover) and he treats me as his real sister off-screen as well. He cares for me a lot and keeps pouring his suggestions about fitness, acting and everything else. At the same time, Surbhi Jyoti aka Zoya  is also a good friend and a phenomenal actress.

How do you like to spend your leisure time?

If I get time from my hectic shooting schedule, I like to spend it with my family and friends. I'm also inclined towards dancing and painting, which I preferably do when I'm free. I have always had a fondness for dance from the very beginning and I can groove on to any form of dance. Moreover, I'm a trained Bharatnatyam dancer and now I'm also learning Kathak from Ketki.

Are you active on social media?

Yes, it's been quite a while that I'm active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and now I have also joined Tumblr. Since I have begun tweeting recently, I make it a point to reply to all my fans and followers.

One daily soap you wish to be a part of at present?

Other than 'Qubool Hai', I would want to be a part of 'Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon'.

If you could participate in a reality show, then which show would you prefer?

As I said, I'm a dancing freak; I would love to participate in any dance reality show. If I had a choice, I would love to be a part of 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa: Dancing with the Stars', mainly because it has set a high dancing standard now and it has my favorite actress, the dancing diva Madhuri Dixit Nene as one of the judge.

Who has been your inspiration in the industry?

As of now, Jennifer Singh Grover inspires me a lot. She is not just a phenomenal actress but a wonderful person. I call her Jennifer bhabhi and she always greets me with so much of affection and love. I admire the way she manages to keep herself fit and full of life. 

What kind of roles you wish to play in the near future?

I am open to everything when it comes to acting. Usually people consider me as someone who is very cute, chubby and feminine. So I desire to play a negative character and experiment with variety of roles.

If not an actor, what would you be?

If not an actor, I would surely be into the dancing profession, probably a choreographer.

A craziest fan encounter so far?

I have  not come across any craziest fan encounter so far but as I move out of my house, people do recognize me. Sometimes it gets difficult to escape from the clutches of the crowd and therefore I try hiding myself.

Do you believe in destiny?

I believe in destiny and karma.

Describe yourself in one sentence.

I am someone who is very tomboyish, who lives her life to the fullest and always keeps laughing  .  

What philosophy do you follow in life?

Just be yourself. You don't need to propagate yourself, instead let your work speak out volumes.