First film
Although she liked Devadasu's story, Ileana was apprehensive.
"I didn't know the language, couldn't dance or act. But the director Choudhry had confidence in me and encouraged me, urged me on saying I would make it. It was nerve-wracking and tough. There were so many people on the sets staring at you. I wasn't confident and so I decided I would go with the flow," she says.
"Shooting the songs was tough and though the director put me at ease and was patient, I felt pressured. I almost cried and didn't want to go further. Then my mom gave me the lecture of a lifetime one day at 3 am just after we came back from the shoot. She put sense into me, to give the project the best I could since it was a commitment we couldn't break. I came back because of my mom."
Before she ventured into acting in Devadasu, Ileana underwent some acting classes with Aruna Bhikshu. "I learnt about emotions, expressions and some theory. Actually working is a different experience altogether."
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