You are playing the role of a widow in Red, but the promos suggest however that it is a hot and sexy film.
Allow me to clarify it is not a sleaze flick, it is a film diagnosing and exploring relationships. I play the part of Anahita who is unfortunately widowed, but since she is a modern, educated woman from an affluent family no widow's weeds for her I get to wear trousers with shirts for most of the time in the film. But can you please explain to me the typical mentality that forbids a widow from expressing her sexuality? Why does our culture put so many boundaries around a widow?
Given your young and glamorous image, weren't you surprised when Vikram Bhatt cast you in his film and visualised you as a widow?
I must admit I was surprised. Especially after No Entry, I am taken to be a dumb bimbette like Sanjana, my part in that film. But Vikram saw the very sentimental aspect of my personality and managed to tap my darker side. I was surprised at certain depths I could plumb with my acting in this film.
How did Vikram Bhatt get to know of the darker side of yours?
You see, Vikram thinks like a woman, he has a deep insight into human nature, he can read your face and you just cannot even attempt to lie to him. I would walk into the sets and he would ask me, "Are you harrowed ?" and I would deny it, feeling all shocked at how he could make that out! Vikram is a director who can bring out any emotion from an actor. When I saw the film, I felt I was watching someone else, Anahita is another person who just looks like me.
How were you able to identify with such an emotionally demanding role?
I have witnessed a similar situation in real life when my 21-year-old cousin was widowed, I saw how her entire world was shattered and how she picked up the pieces and got on with her life.
Secondly, I was facing a crisis on a personal level at that point of time, I carried gloom from Anahita back home and infused the role with my own grief. I have wept copiously through the film and that too without glycerine! I have grown up as an actor 80% and as a human being 100% after this film. So, Red is my janasheen (which means close to my heart.)
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If Red is a film about emotions alone then how do explain those lip-locks and bath-tub orgy scenes seen in the promos?
The bath-tub scene is only done for the promotional video; it isn't a part of the film at all. As for the love-making scenes, it is the culmination of any man-woman relationship! But all the intimate scenes have been shot so aesthetically that they become a part of the narrative. Thanks to Vikram and Aftab, the entire love-making scene went off without any embarrassment, I was nervous about the smooch scene, we discussed it at length and Aftab was very gentlemanly about it, he put me at ease.
You are pinning a lot of hopes on this film, aren't you?
Yes, this is one of those roles where I have given my all. I am very nervous about how people will accept me. Hope people will look beyond my glamour.
Are you so averse to being typecast as bikini bimbette?
Very much so! Is it my fault that I am convincing in every role that I essay? But then what do you do when you are shown in a bikini playing a violin on the beach in your very first film? Also the fact that I am young and glamorous gets me those roles. I have enjoyed that phase of my career. Hopefully Red will herald a new phase of my career. I am like the Amazon forest - a lot explored and a lot more to explore!
What is the best thing about being light-eyed?
In certain parts of India being light-eyed is synonymous with being untrustworthy, I have faced that prejudice during school days. My friend's mom wouldn't let her play with me because I was cat-eyed, can you beat it? In show-biz it is an interesting feature. However, in Red I have worn black lenses for the first time - Anahita has dark eyes.
What are your forthcoming films?
Shakalaka Boom Boom, which is a youthful romance and two projects with Mukta Arts. In Heyy Babyy, I have a guest appearance. The much-talked about sequel to No Entry is also on the cards.
