Smiley's letter to bhaiyya Mohit

It's 11.20 pm and 12 days since Kalyug released. Today, I feel it's time to pen a few thoughts — mostly to pen my gratitude about you and the film.

Thank you Mohit, my dear brother! I always wanted to be part of Kalyug, but I declined the offer because I thought Pooja's (Bhatt) Holiday would be the "ideal launch" for me.

Thank you Mohit, for not only standing by me, but for believing in me and sharing the pain and humiliation that I felt when I was thrown out of Holiday and labelled a "bad actress".

When I got thrown out, I didn't even know I was no longer in the film, and why. It was only when the media told me I was out, that I knew. They kept pointing fingers at you, telling you I was a "liability" for you, and I was there only because I was your sister.

I didn't want to be a liability for anybody. That was a terrible time for me. Afflicted by self-doubt, those taunts came to haunt me again and again. Lots of times, I questioned my capabilities, but you were confident about my abilities.

It was all worth it when Akash Khurana said after seeing Kalyug, "Smiley, don't go asking for work. You don't know what you are. I am your biggest fan."

Thank you Mohit for denying me any special privileges, and for teaching me to laugh at myself, for not losing objectivity, and not compromising on the script just because I am your sister.

I know there were those lovemaking scenes that I would have been uncomfortable doing with anyone else, but you made me comfortable and taught me the meaning of being a professional. It was just a scene, and Kunal and I just were just actors.

I was aware of the stress and pressure you had to go through because of me — to stand up for me when few did. For all of this, I love and respect you, and hope I have made you proud, because you believed I could act.
Thank you for being the toughest director to please. At times, I did feel you were being a bit harsh on me, but you brought out the best in me.

Thank you, Bhatt saab (Mahesh Bhatt) for letting me re-audition for the role of Renuka in Kalyug. I'm glad I never got it easy. You taught me how to stand up for myself and walk with my head held high. Your words still ring in my ears, "Just because you've been thrown out of one film doesn't make you a bad actor. I know you are good because I've seen your audition."

I thank the whole Kalyug team for restoring my faith in myself! Today, I can go looking for roles in other banners with my head held high.

Your loving sister, Smiley

— As told to Upala KBR