Ileana D’Cruz reminiscenes about her Hindi debut Barfi! as the film turns a decade old

Anurag Basu’s Barfi! (2012), which starred Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D’Cruz, was a path-breaking film in every sense of the word. Based in the 1970s in Darjeeling and Kolkata, the film is about Murphy "Barfi" Johnson, a deaf-mute young boy who develops a special bond with two young girls Shruti Ghosh (Ileana) and Jhilmil Chatterjee (Priyanka).

As the film ticked in ten years of release, actress Ileana D’Cruz, who made her Hindi film debut with Barfi! got nostalgic and shared her thoughts about co-stars Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor and also filmmaker Anurag Basu.

Recalling her experience of working with Basu, Ileana says she was lucky as director Anurag Basu cast her in a pivotal role. "Barfi had so much soul in it, that it was really hard to turn it down. It was a film I knew somewhere that I would never get again," admits the actress.

Talking about Ranbir, Ileana only has praises for her first Hindi film hero.

"He was so unassuming, really sweet and incredibly friendly and on the other hand I was shy and nervous and I did not know what to expect. I thought this guy is a superstar and he is really cool and I instantly knew that it would be easy working with him," said Ileana.

As for Priyanka, Ileana calls the 'Desi Girl' someone "really sweet and unbelievably chill and lovely."

Noteworthy, Barfi! was loved for its unique story and soulful music. The film was loved by viewers and the critics alike and went on to become one of the highest grossing films of 2012. Barfi! also became India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film nomination at the 85th Academy Awards.

Meanwhile, talking of Ileana's upcoming projects, the actress will next feature in Unfair & Lovely. Directed by Balwinder Singh Janjua and produced by Sony Pictures Films India, the film features Randeep Hooda and Ileana D'Cruz in lead roles. The social comedy seeks explore India’s obsession with fair skin.

Besides, Ileana D'Cruz has also committed to star in Shirsha Guha's yet-to-be-titled film.