‘There are cold wars, not cat fights in Bollywood'
10 Nov 2013 9:50 PM GMT
What is your role in Rajjo about?
In Rajjo am playing a mujra wali. It’s a story of a girl who aspires to be a famous classical dancer. But then she gets trapped in a world of prostitution. And then she struggles to get back her honour and a good life. The story mainly revolves around that.
From 2006 (Gangster) to 2013 (Rajjo) how has the journey been in Bollywood without a godfather?
It’s been fun on and off. You know like any other profession, it takes a while to make your mark and secure a place. I have been struggling and still am. I like being here, I like the work I do and I like the work am being offered till now. I feel the happiest in this year, 2013 has been really lucky and kind to me for work related.
How challenging was it to play a super villian (mutant) in Krrish 3?
Fantastic! I enjoyed the challenges the role brought with it. My only worry was people might not understand that mutant like body language and those specific emotions of a villian. They might just think am so stone faced with no single expression on my face. But amazingly common people came and appreciated me, said they liked the approach I had for my character. So for me the most important aspect is that the audience relate and understand the role am playing in the movie, which I achieved well.
How do you maintain such honesty in the industry?
Well, I don’t know what else to do. Honestly as a person, in my personal life, am very truthful and I like it that way, it keeps me happy. More so it works for me. Not that I do it for somebody else. And I think that people who don’t do it, people who choose not to be honest and upfront are missing out on such valuable things in life like love, trust and faith. I would not want to be friends with someone who mince his words or who I don’t and can’t trust. Certainly being human the most important quality we posses is to be trustworthy and honesty, why would I let go of that ever?
What is your comment on the cat fights and star rivalry existing in Bollywood?
Well I don’t think cat fights really happen like the way people describe or imagine a real fight to be like. Its mostly like a cold war situation. Of course people can dislike each other. Mostly who are contenders for the same kind of role tend to dislike each other more. Though it is universal across all kinds of fields so there is nothing unnatural about its existence.
So do you dislike Kareena Kapoor for being the first choice for Revolver Rani?
I don’t think she was the first choice. They approached Tabu for the role. And why won’t I like her. I am not the kind of person who would have delusions like that because I know for the fact that if I don’t do something, somebody else will do it.
Any role in Indian or foreign cinema you would die for?
Sometimes when we see performances we love it so much that we get carried away and we often think that if we get to reprise that role we can do that much better. But that’s not true. It takes a lot more than your own method or capability to have a magical performance for that role. Having said that I have been carried away a lot many times. I would love to films like The Iron Lady or Amelie, the French film and Mughal-e-Azam, Anarkali’s character and Waheeda Rehman’s role in Pyaasa.
Has corporatisation (UTV and AKFPL) changed the dynamics of the film industry?
My earlier films like Fashion and Life in a Metro were by independent directors. I have not really been a part of any film projects totally controlled by corporates, so I can’t really comment much on that aspect.
Are relationships in Bollywood a publicity stunt?
No they are not. We are not acting like professionals or getting paid for linking up with someone. Trust me, all the relationships have some strong basis to them.
You were always typecast for psychotic roles mostly. Has the image changed now?
I love to play psychotic roles and have been missing them for a while. After Krrish 3, Shootout at Wadala and Tezz, am back to playing one again in Revolver Rani. So you would see my psycho avatar soon.
Are you single, engaged or it’s complicated?
Well, all the three come around. I was engaged for a long time and now am back to being single and reducing complexities in my career.
In Rajjo am playing a mujra wali. It’s a story of a girl who aspires to be a famous classical dancer. But then she gets trapped in a world of prostitution. And then she struggles to get back her honour and a good life. The story mainly revolves around that.
From 2006 (Gangster) to 2013 (Rajjo) how has the journey been in Bollywood without a godfather?
It’s been fun on and off. You know like any other profession, it takes a while to make your mark and secure a place. I have been struggling and still am. I like being here, I like the work I do and I like the work am being offered till now. I feel the happiest in this year, 2013 has been really lucky and kind to me for work related.
How challenging was it to play a super villian (mutant) in Krrish 3?
Fantastic! I enjoyed the challenges the role brought with it. My only worry was people might not understand that mutant like body language and those specific emotions of a villian. They might just think am so stone faced with no single expression on my face. But amazingly common people came and appreciated me, said they liked the approach I had for my character. So for me the most important aspect is that the audience relate and understand the role am playing in the movie, which I achieved well.
How do you maintain such honesty in the industry?
Well, I don’t know what else to do. Honestly as a person, in my personal life, am very truthful and I like it that way, it keeps me happy. More so it works for me. Not that I do it for somebody else. And I think that people who don’t do it, people who choose not to be honest and upfront are missing out on such valuable things in life like love, trust and faith. I would not want to be friends with someone who mince his words or who I don’t and can’t trust. Certainly being human the most important quality we posses is to be trustworthy and honesty, why would I let go of that ever?
What is your comment on the cat fights and star rivalry existing in Bollywood?
Well I don’t think cat fights really happen like the way people describe or imagine a real fight to be like. Its mostly like a cold war situation. Of course people can dislike each other. Mostly who are contenders for the same kind of role tend to dislike each other more. Though it is universal across all kinds of fields so there is nothing unnatural about its existence.
So do you dislike Kareena Kapoor for being the first choice for Revolver Rani?
I don’t think she was the first choice. They approached Tabu for the role. And why won’t I like her. I am not the kind of person who would have delusions like that because I know for the fact that if I don’t do something, somebody else will do it.
Any role in Indian or foreign cinema you would die for?
Sometimes when we see performances we love it so much that we get carried away and we often think that if we get to reprise that role we can do that much better. But that’s not true. It takes a lot more than your own method or capability to have a magical performance for that role. Having said that I have been carried away a lot many times. I would love to films like The Iron Lady or Amelie, the French film and Mughal-e-Azam, Anarkali’s character and Waheeda Rehman’s role in Pyaasa.
Has corporatisation (UTV and AKFPL) changed the dynamics of the film industry?
My earlier films like Fashion and Life in a Metro were by independent directors. I have not really been a part of any film projects totally controlled by corporates, so I can’t really comment much on that aspect.
Are relationships in Bollywood a publicity stunt?
No they are not. We are not acting like professionals or getting paid for linking up with someone. Trust me, all the relationships have some strong basis to them.
You were always typecast for psychotic roles mostly. Has the image changed now?
I love to play psychotic roles and have been missing them for a while. After Krrish 3, Shootout at Wadala and Tezz, am back to playing one again in Revolver Rani. So you would see my psycho avatar soon.
Are you single, engaged or it’s complicated?
Well, all the three come around. I was engaged for a long time and now am back to being single and reducing complexities in my career.
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