‘Dobaara’ actress Madalina Bellariu Ion: I don’t believe in ghosts, because I haven’t seen one

Madalina Bellariu Ion is all set to make her Bollywood debut with the film ‘Dobaara’. The actress plays a very pivotal role in the film, and it is said that she is the main twist in the movie. We get to see her few glimpses in the trailer and the songs of the film.

Recently, she interacted with us over email. The actress has opened up about her debut film, her role in the movie, her take on extramarital affair and a lot more.

How excited are you for your Bollywood debut?
I am very excited and I am sure that the audience will love the film. For each movie I do, I have the feeling of a new beginning, as if each movie I complete it’s my first. Regarding Bollywood debut, I didn’t plan to enter this industry. I loved the script and I wanted to do this film. My character in this film did not exist in the original American flick ‘Oculus’.

While many actresses prefer to make their debut with a lighthearted film which has song and dance, why did you opt for a horror film like ‘Dobaara’?
I actually didn’t get to choose. I didn’t purposely enter this industry. May be in the future, I will make a film which has song and dance, but only if the script convince me of course. For me it’s the script that matters.

In the trailer, we don’t get to see you much and even in the promotions you are not there. Do you feel that as the film has other well-known faces, you are not being promoted?
I reached Mumbai for promotions only few days ago, because I am shooting for a popular Italian Television series, therefore I could not attend the previous events. Regarding the trailer, it is not supposed to reveal too much of the story. My character is the twist in the story. The more you show in the trailer, the more you realise the twists. And we want the audience to be taken by surprise.

After the trailer of ‘Dobaara’ was out a lot of people stated that it’s just a rip-off of ‘Oculus’. What would you like to say on that?
If it would have been a copy of ‘Oculus’, I wouldn’t have probably accepted to do this film. Actually my character does not exist in the original. She is the lover of Alex Merchant (played by Adil Hussain), but they have a strong intellectual connection. She fuels his dreams and ambitions. From the beginning, when I read the script I saw some similarities with Lady Macbeth from Shakespeare.

Do you believe in ghost?
I believe in karma and the universe. You do well and it will come back 10 times more. I don’t believe in ghosts, may be because I haven’t seen one. I believe in ghosts only while shooting or watching a movie. I fully get into the story and I get scared when I watch horror movies. And ‘Dobaara’ promises lots of horror to the audience.

Your character comes into the family as an extramarital affair. What’s your take on extramarital affair?
My character Ana had a strong reason to come into the life of Alex Merchant who already has a family. I didn’t judge her any second, I understood her pain. You will understand more after watching ‘Dobaara’. Regarding my personal views, I believe if two people don’t love each other, they shouldn’t be together. And if there is love, then there is no question of extramarital affair.

Did you always want to be an actress?
I was tempted by acting since the middle school, when I took part in theatre school festivals. At 20, I had to move to London because I was accepted to one of the best Meisner Technique acting schools. From there I got remarked by a manager and I have been signed by a theatrical agency.  I can say that I was lucky, because I got the chance to work in the industry straight away. In London, to get a good agency to represent an actor, it’s not easy

As you have entered Bollywood now, tell us the wishlist of actors and directors you want to work with?
I would love to work with Dev Patel or Irrfan Khan. Both are doing Hollywood as well. I haven’t watched too many Bollywood films to be honest, so I can’t name Bollywood directors. But what convinces me to come on board is definitely the script. So I would consider doing another Bollywood film if I like the script.

Murtuza Iqbal

‘Eat Sleep Bollywood Repeat’ is his life Mantra. Dance is his first love and Rani Mukerji is his eternal crush. He is someone who loves being himself, and as for the ones who don’t agree, his reply? “Talk to my hand!”