New Delhi: File photo of Prachi Desai (r) with Chitrangada Singh and model-actress Hazel Keech (l). (Press Trust of India)

Prachi Desai says she goes through a constant struggle in trying to break the “girl-next-door” stereotype attached to her. – @siliconeer #siliconeer #Bollywood #PrachiDesai #Azhar #RockOn #KasamhSe #EktaKapoor

Before making her big screen debut in 2008 with “Rock On!!,” Prachi played the righteous eldest sister on Ekta Kapoor’s “Kasamh Se” and the actress feels the audience hasn’t been able to see her beyond that frame.

“After ‘Rock On!!,’ just like what happens with everyone, I got stereotyped. First of all, because I came from a television background and secondly because I didn’t play a glamorous, larger than life character.

“I wasn’t launched in one of those extremely big budget films where I was anyway elevated to that position. After that (Rock On) it was extremely difficult for me to change the perception of ‘sweet simple girl next door’ and get roles which were my age,” the actress told PTI.

Talking about another stereotype that she has often faced, Prachi said that due to her role of a wife in “Rock On!!,” filmmakers perceived she was quite older in age and hence offered her more mature roles.

“I was 19 when I did ‘Rock On!!’ but I’ve had the strangest reactions from some of the biggest filmmakers where they met me and were often surprised that I looked so young. I still get offered roles where I am intense, subtle but in real life I think I am kind of opposite of that.

Prachi Desai displays the creation of fashion brand SVA by fashion designers Sonam and Paras Modi at the Lakmé Fashion Week Winter Festive 2016, in Mumbai. (Press Trust of India)
Prachi Desai displays the creation of fashion brand SVA by fashion designers Sonam and Paras Modi at the Lakmé Fashion Week Winter Festive 2016, in Mumbai. (Press Trust of India)

“But that’s an outsiders struggle although out. Whether it is a Kangana from ‘Gangster’ or Vidya Balan from ‘Parineeta,’ it takes time to find your best scripts and roles. You just have to keep working hard,” she said.

Prachi, who has reprised her role in the recently-released sequel to “Rock On!!,” now wants to do a love story.

“I am very keen to take on interesting roles because this is the time when people are also open to do new things, chose different topics which also makes us fearless to take on different subjects. Personally, I would like to do a love story,” the actress said.