Yami Gautam’s phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since the release of Bala, with adjectives like “revelation and game changer” being used to describe her performance in the film.

The actor says the response has made her realise the importance of waiting for good projects and turning down work which doesn’t have her heart.

Yami started the year with Uri: The Surgical Stirk as an undercover agent and has closed 2019 with the Amar Kaushik-directed comedy.Both the films were critically well received and while Uri is one of the biggest hits of the year, Bala is already clocking huge numbers.

“With Vicky Donor, I chose a path which established me as an actor first, before anything else. But then in the middle… You try to figure things out. It was an overnight success, you don’t know anyone here. It took me a while to understand this place, to find my voice.

“The ability to say no is very important which I have realised. If you don’t believe in something don’t do it. I’d never go back and disrespect my certain professional choices because at that point for me, they mattered. But Uri and Bala showed me as an actor in a light which I wanted people to notice.

“It feels gratifying as an actor. ‘I am happy’ will be an underwhelming answer. All this while I’ve been trying to look for roles which showcase the kind of films I want to do, the versatility I want to show. This year, it finally happened.”Yami said her interpretation of Pari was of a girl who is larger than life but her attempt was never to ridicule her.