Post by KhushiDreamz on Jun 24, 2006 0:05:19 GMT -5
Interview
(Source : http://www.bollywood1.com)
Lets start with Hey! Ram. How did you view Gandhi before you started working on the film?
As an integral part of our history. I dont think India would have got its independence without people like him and Jawaharlal Nehru. My impression of him is based on the history lessons I took in school. They projected him as a soft-spoken, peace-loving man who preached ahimsa and believed that it was the best way to freedom. He was a very different kind of a leader.
Did playing Aparna Ram require much homework?
(Smiles) None at all because Kamalji had done all the homework himself. Anything you wanted to know about the film, the character, the period you only had to ask Kamalji. He knew everything. There was no need to meet people, talk to them or even research the look.
You look very different in the film from the glamorous star Rani.
(Frowns) You think so? I think Aparna Ram is me. Hey! Ram is perhaps the only film in which Ive acted so far which projects me the way I really look. I guess, it could be because this time Ive not used any artificial paints, no false eyelashes and Im always in a sari worn in the Bengali style with a big bindi on my forehead. In fact, the way Aparna talks, the way she communicates with her husband is a lot like me.
Well, youve knocked off those not-needed kilos. No one must be complaining now?
(Beaming happily) They are not.
Youve done a great job of reciting Jibonananda Dasss poem in the film.
(Delighted) You think so? I was so scared when Kamalji called me and said he wanted to record the poem in my own voice. I have no complaints about my voice but people generally dont want me to do any recitation or singing. In fact, I kept asking Kamalji if he was sure he wanted me to recite the poem. He insisted he did. He likes the husky quality of my voice.
Was it difficult?
It wasnt difficult, no. But it was different. Im a Bengali, I speak the language, Ive read Bengali poetry before but Ive never recited it. I was really terrified initially but Kamalji pepped me up. And the fact that he was so sure I could do it right gave me a lot of confidence.
What were the thoughts racing through your mind at the time of recording?
(Laughs) There was only one thought, whether Kamalji would okay the take.
And what were your thoughts when you were doing those erotic scenes with Kamal Haasan?
Nothing special. There were the same number of people behind and around the camera as for any other scene. I was just doing my job. And I had to get it right otherwise the scene wouldnt jell. The eroticism was only for the screen. Even while we were doing those scenes Kamalji was more my director giving instructions than my co-star wooing me romantically.
Well, even remaining so detached from your co-actor youve managed to make the screen sizzle. People are talking a lot about these scenes.
Yeah? What are they saying?
That theyre very aesthetically shot.
(Sceptically) Really? People have been telling me, Rani, what is this? What is the matter with you? No more of this! Im only worried about how my family and close friends react to my movies, and frankly, they were quite shocked.
Even though Badal is pure fantasy and you dont have anything more to do than sing, dance and look pretty?
I knew Badal was Bobbys film and I didnt have a great role in it. But it was being made by my mentor, Salim. The man who gave me my first break. So I didnt have much of a say in the role. As for it being pure fantasy, well, arent most of our movies make believe? Even a Hey! Ram relies a lot on imagination because its a period film and most of us associated with the film didnt live in those times. So we really dont know if a person like Aparna Ram existed. Shes as much a part of fantasy as the Badal girl.
But arent films like Badal a discredit to Rani, the actress?
Hey, Ive just entered show business as I told you. I have barely half-a-dozen films to my credit. I cant expect to get tailor-made roles in every film. Why doesnt anyone understand that? (Throws her hands up in exasperation)
Maybe because a year ago you were the hottest new face in movie town and after Kajol tied the knot everyone was expecting you to step into the void she had left behind.
But even Kajol didnt start out with big banners and the best of roles. Every actress has experimented with different kinds of roles before they got roles written specially for them. Thats precisely what I am doing too.
But for someone whos proven herself in the histrionics department is it really necessary to do a film like Hello Brother or Badal?
I dont know where Hello Brother went wrong. Some people loved the humour, others didnt. When a film doesnt work youre given so many reasons for it going wrong. What can I say? (Shrugs) Anyway Hello Brother was just one odd film. And I had no say in Badal, as I told you, because it was my mentors film. But I have another film with Bobby, Bichoo, in which I have a good role. Youll get to see a lot more of me in that film. Let me have 8-10 releases, and after that you can argue that the actress in Rani is getting lost. At the moment Im just enjoying the experience of doing a film for a song or a couple of scenes. Once I get set Ill pick and choose. You have to give me more time. You gave Kajol and Aishwarya a long time, remember? For that matter every other actress. Why are you making an exception only for me? Im working everyday of my life, arent I? And Im trying to do my job well sincerely. If people are still unhappy with me its really sad.
Are you disappointed at losing Lagaan?
Not really. I didnt lose it because I was a bad actress, did I? It was only because I couldnt give four months at a stretch.
Okay, were you disappointed that Karan Johar didnt consider you for his next film despite the impact you made even in a brief role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?
No. Maybe I didnt fit into his new project. As for Kuch Kuchfrankly I had never anticipated my performance would be appreciated so much. I really dont think about the kind of impact I make in my films. Its not good to think too much.
Why not? Dont you want to reign like your cousin Kajol one day?
No, Im not here to be No. 1 or No. 2. I just want to work and remain in the industry for a long time. I dont want to shoot up suddenly or slip down the ladder overnight. Slow and steady wins the race.
But to stay in the race it helps to have a Subhash Ghai, a Karan Johar or a Yash Chopra behind you.
Look, it doesnt matter if Im doing Subhash Ghais film, Kamal Haasans film or Salims film. For me every film is as important, every director is as big.
Even Kirti Kumar who hasnt had a hit since Hatya?
Hey, you shouldnt write off a person because his films havent been succeeding at the boxoffice. Everyone goes through hard times. You just put in your best. Whether the film works or not depends on luck. Kirti Kumar has made a lot of big films in the past. Even though they may not have done too well hes still a big director. He can still come up with a great film. You have to give the man a second chance. Pyar Diwana Hota Hai is a good film according to me. Now its up to the people to make it a hit or a flop.
But dont you stand the risk of getting slotted like Karisma by doing so many films with Govinda?
Just how many films am I doing with Govinda? Only three, Chalo Ishq Ladaye, Hadh Kar Di Aapne and Pyar Diwana Hota Hai. And none of them have released yet. Wait and see what they are like. Its too early to make a judgement. Besides, I have films with other stars like Salman and Bobby releasing at the same time. So I dont think I stand the risk of being slotted. I may have started my career with performance oriented roles but right now Im enjoying myself doing lighter roles. I dont want to get typecast so early in my career.
Well, you may be doing different kinds of films but you seem to returning to the same directors. You have three films with your Ghulam director, Vikram Bhatt.
Not three, only one. Mulaqat and Tumhare Liye are not happening. So theres just Tumko Meri Kasam which is a sweet romantic film, very different from Ghulam.
And whats Jackies just launched Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai like?
Why ask me? Im not in the film. Rinkes in it, not Rani.
(Source : http://www.bollywood1.com)
Lets start with Hey! Ram. How did you view Gandhi before you started working on the film?
As an integral part of our history. I dont think India would have got its independence without people like him and Jawaharlal Nehru. My impression of him is based on the history lessons I took in school. They projected him as a soft-spoken, peace-loving man who preached ahimsa and believed that it was the best way to freedom. He was a very different kind of a leader.
Did playing Aparna Ram require much homework?
(Smiles) None at all because Kamalji had done all the homework himself. Anything you wanted to know about the film, the character, the period you only had to ask Kamalji. He knew everything. There was no need to meet people, talk to them or even research the look.
You look very different in the film from the glamorous star Rani.
(Frowns) You think so? I think Aparna Ram is me. Hey! Ram is perhaps the only film in which Ive acted so far which projects me the way I really look. I guess, it could be because this time Ive not used any artificial paints, no false eyelashes and Im always in a sari worn in the Bengali style with a big bindi on my forehead. In fact, the way Aparna talks, the way she communicates with her husband is a lot like me.
Well, youve knocked off those not-needed kilos. No one must be complaining now?
(Beaming happily) They are not.
Youve done a great job of reciting Jibonananda Dasss poem in the film.
(Delighted) You think so? I was so scared when Kamalji called me and said he wanted to record the poem in my own voice. I have no complaints about my voice but people generally dont want me to do any recitation or singing. In fact, I kept asking Kamalji if he was sure he wanted me to recite the poem. He insisted he did. He likes the husky quality of my voice.
Was it difficult?
It wasnt difficult, no. But it was different. Im a Bengali, I speak the language, Ive read Bengali poetry before but Ive never recited it. I was really terrified initially but Kamalji pepped me up. And the fact that he was so sure I could do it right gave me a lot of confidence.
What were the thoughts racing through your mind at the time of recording?
(Laughs) There was only one thought, whether Kamalji would okay the take.
And what were your thoughts when you were doing those erotic scenes with Kamal Haasan?
Nothing special. There were the same number of people behind and around the camera as for any other scene. I was just doing my job. And I had to get it right otherwise the scene wouldnt jell. The eroticism was only for the screen. Even while we were doing those scenes Kamalji was more my director giving instructions than my co-star wooing me romantically.
Well, even remaining so detached from your co-actor youve managed to make the screen sizzle. People are talking a lot about these scenes.
Yeah? What are they saying?
That theyre very aesthetically shot.
(Sceptically) Really? People have been telling me, Rani, what is this? What is the matter with you? No more of this! Im only worried about how my family and close friends react to my movies, and frankly, they were quite shocked.
Even though Badal is pure fantasy and you dont have anything more to do than sing, dance and look pretty?
I knew Badal was Bobbys film and I didnt have a great role in it. But it was being made by my mentor, Salim. The man who gave me my first break. So I didnt have much of a say in the role. As for it being pure fantasy, well, arent most of our movies make believe? Even a Hey! Ram relies a lot on imagination because its a period film and most of us associated with the film didnt live in those times. So we really dont know if a person like Aparna Ram existed. Shes as much a part of fantasy as the Badal girl.
But arent films like Badal a discredit to Rani, the actress?
Hey, Ive just entered show business as I told you. I have barely half-a-dozen films to my credit. I cant expect to get tailor-made roles in every film. Why doesnt anyone understand that? (Throws her hands up in exasperation)
Maybe because a year ago you were the hottest new face in movie town and after Kajol tied the knot everyone was expecting you to step into the void she had left behind.
But even Kajol didnt start out with big banners and the best of roles. Every actress has experimented with different kinds of roles before they got roles written specially for them. Thats precisely what I am doing too.
But for someone whos proven herself in the histrionics department is it really necessary to do a film like Hello Brother or Badal?
I dont know where Hello Brother went wrong. Some people loved the humour, others didnt. When a film doesnt work youre given so many reasons for it going wrong. What can I say? (Shrugs) Anyway Hello Brother was just one odd film. And I had no say in Badal, as I told you, because it was my mentors film. But I have another film with Bobby, Bichoo, in which I have a good role. Youll get to see a lot more of me in that film. Let me have 8-10 releases, and after that you can argue that the actress in Rani is getting lost. At the moment Im just enjoying the experience of doing a film for a song or a couple of scenes. Once I get set Ill pick and choose. You have to give me more time. You gave Kajol and Aishwarya a long time, remember? For that matter every other actress. Why are you making an exception only for me? Im working everyday of my life, arent I? And Im trying to do my job well sincerely. If people are still unhappy with me its really sad.
Are you disappointed at losing Lagaan?
Not really. I didnt lose it because I was a bad actress, did I? It was only because I couldnt give four months at a stretch.
Okay, were you disappointed that Karan Johar didnt consider you for his next film despite the impact you made even in a brief role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?
No. Maybe I didnt fit into his new project. As for Kuch Kuchfrankly I had never anticipated my performance would be appreciated so much. I really dont think about the kind of impact I make in my films. Its not good to think too much.
Why not? Dont you want to reign like your cousin Kajol one day?
No, Im not here to be No. 1 or No. 2. I just want to work and remain in the industry for a long time. I dont want to shoot up suddenly or slip down the ladder overnight. Slow and steady wins the race.
But to stay in the race it helps to have a Subhash Ghai, a Karan Johar or a Yash Chopra behind you.
Look, it doesnt matter if Im doing Subhash Ghais film, Kamal Haasans film or Salims film. For me every film is as important, every director is as big.
Even Kirti Kumar who hasnt had a hit since Hatya?
Hey, you shouldnt write off a person because his films havent been succeeding at the boxoffice. Everyone goes through hard times. You just put in your best. Whether the film works or not depends on luck. Kirti Kumar has made a lot of big films in the past. Even though they may not have done too well hes still a big director. He can still come up with a great film. You have to give the man a second chance. Pyar Diwana Hota Hai is a good film according to me. Now its up to the people to make it a hit or a flop.
But dont you stand the risk of getting slotted like Karisma by doing so many films with Govinda?
Just how many films am I doing with Govinda? Only three, Chalo Ishq Ladaye, Hadh Kar Di Aapne and Pyar Diwana Hota Hai. And none of them have released yet. Wait and see what they are like. Its too early to make a judgement. Besides, I have films with other stars like Salman and Bobby releasing at the same time. So I dont think I stand the risk of being slotted. I may have started my career with performance oriented roles but right now Im enjoying myself doing lighter roles. I dont want to get typecast so early in my career.
Well, you may be doing different kinds of films but you seem to returning to the same directors. You have three films with your Ghulam director, Vikram Bhatt.
Not three, only one. Mulaqat and Tumhare Liye are not happening. So theres just Tumko Meri Kasam which is a sweet romantic film, very different from Ghulam.
And whats Jackies just launched Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai like?
Why ask me? Im not in the film. Rinkes in it, not Rani.