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newbie's 'no-no' list
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Filmfare, Diana Penty
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Written By Raedita Tandan
Assistant Editor
Posted Wed, Mar 20, 2013 Rate Story
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Q. You've maintained a low-profile since your rather high-profile debut in Cocktail. Why?
That's just the way I am. I've been low-profile even in my everyday life. It wasn't intentional. It just happened.
Q. But with the accolades you received, you should have ideally basked in the limelight…
I'm
definitely not a 'basking-in-the-limelight' kind of person. I like
taking it slow and working at my own pace. I like doing things my way,
which is not exactly the most conventional way, quite clearly. But it
makes me happy, so I prefer it.
Q. So what have you actually been up to post Cocktail?
I
took it easy for a bit after the film released. Since it was my first
movie, I was on it for a while, a year-and-a-half almost. Because I
don't come from an acting background, I went through rigorous training
for the film. So it was hectic. I didn't do anything else during that
period and I needed a holiday. So I took one. Even when I was in town, I
hung out with my friends and relaxed, did things I hadn't done for a
long time.
Q. Aparently,
you were the first choice for Rockstar. Would that have been a better
debut or are you happy that you debuted with Cocktail?
Well,
I think life has strange ways of working out. I guess God has a plan
for all of us and I couldn't have asked for more. I can't even see it
any other way. What happened was just perfect.
Q. You're
rather reserved and shy. In this day and age when newcomers are raring
to seize opportunities, wouldn't your shyness be a disadvantage of
sorts?
I
don't think you need to be like everyone else. There's no hard and fast
rule about how to approach things in life. I have always lived life on
my own terms and will continue to do so. There's no point in being
someone you're not. You can't pull a farce for long, so why even pull
one?
Q. If given a choice, how many films would you like to do in a year?
I
guess just one because for me, quality is more important than quantity.
It's not the number that's important. It's about doing one project and
giving it my 100 per cent.
Q. Do you have any dream roles?
No.
Not really. I am just taking it as it comes. I don't have a fixed
agenda or plan. In fact, everything that's happened to me in life has
happened by chance. Things have just come to me. Touchwood. I do hope
that luck lasts. I'm just going to go with the flow. I'm in no rush.
Q. But there must be a few actors you'd like to work with.
(Pauses)
You know, for me, it's a bunch of factors. It's not only about
co-stars. It has to be the right project and it has to have the right
vibe for me to do it.
Q. There were rumours that you had hiked your price post Cocktail and demanded close to three crores for a hair-care product...
When
I first read that I was pretty shocked myself. Well, you just have to
not let it bother you. If I know it's not true, it doesn't faze me.
(Pauses) But these things do take some getting used to. You cannot allow
these things to become your reality. You have to learn how to detach
yourself. See, if people are putting you on a pedestal, they'll pull you
down too. It's the rule of the game. Nobody is only going to say nice
things about you. You shouldn't even expect that. You can't please the
whole world. Anyway, at the end of the day, I've got more positive
feedback than negative. So I can live with it.
Q. At
this point in time, the '100-crore club' has become quite the fad in
this industry. Where do you see yourself in the scheme of things?
See,
I won't sign a film thinking, 'Oh, this will be a 100-crore film'. I'll
sign a film if I like the script and think it's worth my time. Plus,
for the audience, only a good film matters. People are not going to
watch a film thinking it to be a 100-crore film. This 100-crore club is
just an industry thing to state the success ratio of a movie.
Q. In
a recent interview, you had stated that you won't wear a bikini or get
intimate on screen. Won't you be at a loss of sorts given the current
trends?
I
am not everyone. I don't think I'll ever wear a bikini or get intimate
on screen. Even as a model, I didn't do what I didn't want to do. I'm
generally more conservative and reserved as a person. I wouldn't be
comfortable doing any of that stuff.
Q. But what if the script demands it?
To
be honest, stuff like that isn't even on my radar. Actually, I tend to
be drawn towards things I relate to. I have to connect with it. I'm not
an experienced actor, who can do a role without connecting with it. For
me, it's an internal process. At least that's what my experience with
Cocktail was. In fact, I did Meera's role in Cocktail because I am
similar to the way she was. And it's always good to play to your
strengths, at least in the beginning. Slowly, you discover more about
yourself. I think it's better to do things you're comfortable with;
otherwise you won't be able to do justice to it. And I believe in giving
everything my best.
Q. Now that you're an actor, will modelling take a backseat?
I
guess they are interrelated in a way. But I haven't walked the ramp in a
while. So right now, I am going to completely focus on being an actor
and only take up modelling jobs that come with the territory.
Q. Though
you were appreciated in Cocktail, the film was criticised by many for
being rather stereotypical. Do you think this to be a down point?
No,
not at all. In fact, when Homi (Adajania, the director) read out the
story to me, I was completely drawn to it. When he gave me the character
sketches, I was thrilled because Meera sounded a lot like me. Plus, I
thought it was real and believable. When a movie releases, you hear
different kinds of reactions and interpretations. You have to understand
that everyone will have different opinions and not everybody will like
it. I feel blessed for the kind of reactions I've received because it's
easy to be ripped apart in this industry, especially when it's your
first film.
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