Modelling is stepping stone to acting: Rakul Preet Singh

Rakul Preet Singh first faced the camera when she was all of two, and her love for showbiz since has only grown manifold. Having done her fair share of catwalks before entering films, she says modelling gives newcomers a push into the movie world.

Rakul, who made her Bollywood debut with "Yaariyan" and has starred in various southern films like "Venkatadri Express", "Loukyam" and "Current Theega", calls herself a "filmy kid".

"I was a filmy kid. I was two when I faced the camera for the first time. My parents realised it pretty early and I'm really thankful to them for their support and help. I did modelling for a year, but then I always wanted to be an actress," Rakul told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

A former Miss India contestant, Rakul started paving her way to films through the ramp.

Asked why she chose a modelling career if she had her eyes set on films, the Delhi-born beauty said: "Beauty pageants work as a platform from where you can reach out to many. Although they are two different fields, they come under the same group.

"For newcomers, modelling is like a stepping stone to acting. The exposure and experience in modelling helps...But for acting, we have to show a lot of hard work and dedication towards it."

On the film front, Rakul will next be seen in two southern movies -- "Pandaga Chesko" and "Kick 2".

Apart from that, in the Bollywood space she will play an "independent girl" in filmmaker Ramesh Sippy's light-hearted comedy "Shimla Mirchi", which stars veteran actress Hema Malini and actor Rajkummar Rao in lead roles. The film is likely to release in June this year.