Before winning hearts in Barfi! and becoming one of Bollywood’s most reliable performers, Ileana D’Cruz faced a rocky start in the film industry. At just 18, during the first day of her debut film Devadasu (2006), she felt overwhelmed, doubted, and out of place—so much so that she ran off set in tears. But a grounding call with her mother changed everything, setting her on the path to stardom.In a past interview with Hindustan Times, Ileana revealed that she faced an emotionally rough start to her acting career during the shoot of her debut film Devadasu (2006). At just 18, she found herself overwhelmed by the unfamiliar world of filmmaking—surrounded by a language she didn’t understand, asked to perform tasks she wasn’t prepared for, and thrown into an environment that felt completely alien.Adding to the pressure, some people on set doubted her potential and made it clear they didn’t believe she had a future in acting. Already struggling with self-doubt, the negativity hit hard, leaving her deeply upset. At one point, the stress became so intense that she even walked off the set.But despite the rocky beginning, Ileana pushed through and went on to become one of the industry’s most bankable stars—proving that resilience matters more than early criticism.Looking back, the actress remembered feeling completely out of place during her early days in the industry. Emotionally drained and overwhelmed, she once walked out of the studio gates in tears and called her mother. But instead of sympathy, she received a dose of tough love. Her mother reminded her that she had made a professional commitment and had to face the reality, whether or not it was comfortable. The reminder of her signed contract and responsibility helped ground her—and pushed her to persevere through the initial discomfort.She still holds on to the moment when her mother encouraged her to finish what she had started, reminding her that she could return home afterward if she wished. While the pressure was real, Ileana clarifies that her mother never forced her into anything—only offered unwavering support and motivation when she needed it most.
