Interviews Part 2

I'm going very slow and steady: Amrita Rao

With three hits in less than two years, petite Amrita Rao has come to be known as a lucky mascot and she doesn't really mind the tag because it's a sign of the success that has come despite having no godfathers in the industry. The girl from campus capers like "Main Hoon Na" and "Ishq Vishq" and the rather bawdy comedy "Masti" says she is scared of being typecast as the girl next door, but would probably not wear a swimsuit because the "discomfort" would show. Referring to the likes of Mallika Sherawat and Meghna Naidu, she says, "If they can sleep peacefully after what they do, good for them. I wouldn't do such roles because I'm not comfortable doing them." She adds: "Sensuality is a state of the mind." Comparing Shah Rukh Khan to Midas, the king who turned everything he touched to gold, Amrita says that doing a film with him immediately increases your national and overseas market. In this interview with IANS, Amrita talks about her future projects, her image as a "nice, wholesome girl" and the burden that success can put on a person. Q: How do you like being called the lucky mascot? A: It's very nice. I don't come from a filmy background... No godfathers in the film industry. So it's very, very flattering, but also very, very scary. What if I don't deliver a hit? In the past, actresses who have been branded lucky have faced an uphill task trying to prove themselves over and over again. I'm not only scared of being branded a lucky mascot but also of being typecast as the girl next door. Q: Is that image a burden? A: No it's a wonderful image to have especially now when so many girls have a different image. I'm glad to be seen as a nice wholesome girl, and also a glamorous girl after "Main Hoon Na". I really don't think I've limited myself to one particular image. I've done everything from "The Legend Of Bhagat Singh" to "Ishq Vishq" to "Main Hoon Na". Q: Do you feel a fish out of water when you see the likes of Mallika Sherawat and Meghna Naidu? A: I think everyone has her own comfort level. We all have our priorities and USPs. When you're young, you need to cash in on your assets, whatever they might be. If they can sleep peacefully after what they do, good for them. I wouldn't do such roles because I'm not comfortable doing them. If I wear a swimsuit my discomfort would show, and the whole sensuality bit would fall apart. In any case sensuality is a state of the mind. I feel Sushmita Sen is so sensual. No one can ever find her cheap. She's so sophisticated. Q: Are you happy with the ground you've covered? A: Yes. My releases have been many, but well spaced out. First came "Ab Ke Baras", a month later it was "The Legend Of Bhagat Singh". Then it took more than a year for "Ishq Vishq" to be released. And you know what? I enjoyed doing all of them including "Masti". Q: Didn't you find it vulgar? A: I wouldn't term it vulgar at all. "Masti" was supposed to be a sex comedy. But actors like Satish Shah, Ritesh Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdasani are so cute they just made you laugh with their antics. I think "Masti" was fun. Children enjoyed the film. As for my role as the over-possessive wife keeping constant tabs on my husband Vivek Oberoi, so many men identified with the situation. Q: Did the success of "Main Hoon Na" help you? A: And how! My first stage of success happened with "Ishq Vishq". The next best thing was "Main Hoon Na". Doing a Shah Rukh Khan film immediately increases your national and overseas market. I think everyone in Mumbai city has seen "Main Hoon Na". Even at the IIFA awards, the response was amazing. Yes, doing a film with SRK is equivalent to making giant leaps in your career. He's like Midas. Everyone in "Main Hoon Na" -- Farah, Zayed and me -- benefited. Q: But did the minuscule role in "Deewaar" spoil it? A: I had a very tiny role. Lots of my scenes were cut. But I knew all along that it was a hero-oriented film. My farewell sequence with Akshaye Khanna was cut for the benefit of the larger picture. That's why my role looks abrupt. But "Main Hoon Na" has opened doors for me. Now I'm looking at different career prospects. I don't think I need to do films where I'm one in a crowd. But now I'm doing a film where I love being part of the crowd. I'm doing Mahesh Manjrekar's "Life Ho To Aisi" where I am with a whole lot of kids. Shahid and me are the biggest kids on the sets. I love those kids so much. Every day before shooting they line up to give me a hug. Q: But relationships in the industry last only as long as you work together? A: We're like banjaras (gypsies). We must enjoy every moment while it lasts. Right now, I'm enjoying what I've to do. People believe that because of "Main Hoon Na" I'm flooded with offers. But the fact of the matter is, there aren't too many quality films being made. The A-grade products are hardly there. And the ones that are there will take time. Q: Maybe you're too young to be paired with the really big stars? A: That may be true. But you know what? I'm at an age when I really need to prance around the campus. It would look very odd for me to get into saris and cook chapattis in the kitchen, just as five years from now it would look very odd if I'm seen dancing in campus. Right now very few heroines look like collegians. I do. Don't you think I should cash in on that? Shahid has gone on to do something else. Not all the roles that he's doing are about going to college. The same will be true of me. I'm going very slow and steady. I know I can look very different in all my roles. You know I came to films after 30 commercials. And still I was treated like a fresh face. And although "Ab Ke Baras" was my debut, everyone thought "Ishq Vishq" was my first film. Q: Do you feel like an outsider with no sugar daddies? A: No. The problems arise when you don't know your mind. Some people get carried away by the trashy offers. I think I'm fortunate to have selected carefully. It helped. Even Farah Khan said she wouldn't have signed me for "Main Hoon Na" if I had a string of flops behind me. Because I did "Ishq Vishq" with Ken Ghosh and Farah trusts Ken's judgement, she signed me. Q: Were you disappointed when he didn't sign you for "Fida"? A: Nooooo! If he saw Kareena in the role, then great! Just like I moved on to Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan, he has moved on too. I guess we all need to move in life. -New Kerala

Generation X

Ab Ke Baras, Ishq Vishq and now Main Hoon Na, don't you feel tired playing a collegian time and again? (Laughs) Playing a collegian is fun for me because I started acting straight after high school and had no time for college. I finished my graduation through a correspondence course and got good grades, but I completely missed the madcap atmosphere that reigns in the campus. Now, thanks to these films, I've got a chance to live a phase of life that I always dreamt of. That is one of the plus points of being in showbiz, isn't it? Yes. In one short life, you get to live a hundred others. Nothing could be more adventurous than that. It is an adventure with lots of retakes. And the minus points? Oh, they are numerous. Nevertheless, the one point that irks me most is being away from my home and family. Usually, my mom accompanies me on outdoors. She is my constant friend and companion. Her company acts like a soothing balm at the end of a hard day's shoot. Still, if I had it my way, I would shoot all my films in Mumbai. But wouldn't you miss seeing all the exotic locations that normally a layman doesn't get to visit? Well, there is that. I had a lot of fun during the shooting of Main Hoon Na because a fairly large chunk of the film was shot on location in Darjeeling. I enjoyed my stay there and my camera, diary, not to mention my heart, is full of fond memories of the place. How much of your own soul have you put in Sanjana, your character in MHN? {Smiles) Sanjana is someone that I haven't played till now. She is a complete tomboy. She cares about a certain person and to win him over, starts dressing up like him and adopts his mannerisms,likings, hell, she even plays football ! My own personality is in complete contrast to Sanjana's. I'm a shy person and yet fiercely independent. Unlike the character I play, I won't change myself to such an extent that I'm in the danger of losing myself. Actually, the fact that I'm playing someone of whom I haven't even dreamt of attracted me towards the role in the first place. I'm thankful that I took up Farah Khan's offer because it has been a rewarding experience. How did you manage to land the role? Well, to tell the truth, Farah called me after watching the Bru commercial. I play this innocent little girl who has jitters in front of her father. I went to meet Farah thinking that perhaps she was looking for someone to play that kind of a role. To my surprise, what she narrated was exactly the opposite. I asked her whether she had seen any of my earlier films because I hadn't played a tomboy till then. She replied that she hadn't and even though I was playing a tomboy, she'd visualised Sanjana as someone with an innocent face and she was struck by my innocence in that advertisement. Is there any incident connected with the film that you'd like to share? Well, I have fond memories of each day of shooting and it is difficult to pinpoint just one incident. However, what I will never forget is the generosity and warmth of Shah Rukh Khan. I remember that there was this emotional scene, which occurs just before the interval, and I just wasn't getting the nuance right. He took me under his wing and guided me through the paces. And the scene came out just brilliant. You are one actress who has summarily said "no" to exposure? Well, I have no problems showing a bit of a skin if it necessary for the role. Hypothetically speaking, I won't be clad in a burkha if I'm playing a bar dancer. At the same time, I also believe that sensuality has nothing to do with how many clothes you shed. You can manage to look sexy in a saree if you have the oomph. I'm flooded with compliments from friends and well-wishers for my look in MHN. Credit must go to Farah for making me look glamorous despite my tomboyish character. I do tend to put my foot down as far as photo shoots are concerned. Photographers tend to shoot from certain angles which they think make you look flattering but the end result is completely the opposite of what they'd promised. What other films do you have on hand? There is Gaurang Doshi's Deewar and a couple of other interesting projects in the pipeline. Then I'm doing another film with Shahid Kapur which will be announced soon. I can't give out the details because nothing is concrete as yet. Screen India

Amrita Rao speaks on MHN

What is your character in the film? I play a character called Sanjana who is a very brattish girl. You can make that out from my looks. I give due credit to Farah since it's a very unusual kind of look for a Hindi cinema girl. I have a very grouchy look with lots of Kajal in my eyes and a nose ring. You can say a pop star kind of a look. You belong to a non-filmi background and it's the start of your career. So how was it working with Shahrukh Khan? Were you nervous? Actually, I didn't get a chance to be nervous. I was the last minute choice for the film. Farah had not seen my last two films and fortunately Gauri Khan spotted me in a coffee commercial. And she asked Farah to do an audition with me. It was an honour to work with Shahrukh. I just concentrated on my character and did what I was supposed to do. It was a big out door shoot so how was the experience? We shot the college part in the Saint Paul school in Darjeeling. It was a very beautiful school because in the background you can see the snow clad mountains. And it was too cold over there. And I guess if your work goes fine every other thing is secondary. Which songs have been picturised on you in the movie? In almost all the songs I am there, except for one song. Which is your favorite song? It's difficult for me to pick the favorite song. But I like the qawalli song. I like the title song also. Then there is an introduction song on Zayed and me. It's a one shot dance number happening, which I guess no body has seen before. I think I am very fortunate to work with Farah Khan and dance on her tune. Which was the most challenging scene in the movie? It was when I faced Mr. Khan for the first time. I had to look into his eyes and cry. Mr. Khan cried without using glycerin. I focused and focused and I did. And I give full credit to him. It was done in two shots and at the end of the day I went to him said, "Sir, I give you the entire credit". IndiaFM

"Men will always be men; they are always ready to mingle."

The bashful Amrita Rao is changing colours. From being the little girl lost in the woods on the sets of 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh', to wearing the prankster's hat and taking a bow every time she made a bakra of co-stars on the sets of 'Masti', the lovely Ms Rao has transformed from dreary to daring. In spite of being a fairly new entrant into Bollywood, the gal has titivated her personality to face stiff star rivalry in the film industry. And the confidence sneaks in from the fact that she's worked with some of the best banners and shared screen space with the biggest in the industry even before she has reached the teething stage of her career. In between giggles, guffaws, hoots and cackles, we get Amrita Rao break into a talkathon…. How did it feel playing a nagging wife - Aanchal? "I play this peculiar woman who harasses her husband, who is painfully possessive and a nag. There's nothing serious in this film and it will be my first-time comedy, so I thoroughly enjoyed it." What is the most mischievous thing you have done so far? "I have never been a prankster or a naughty girl at all; I can't remember any such incident. I have never violated rules, bunked classes, teased or ragged people. I have been a shy, sweet girl. You must be thinking I am such a sad girl, isn't it? We hear that on the sets of 'Masti', you weren't so sweet after all… "Yes, on the sets of 'Masti' I made up for all the masti I haven't done so long. When so many youngsters get together, there has to be a lot of masti . On the sets, Vivek, Ritesh and Aftab made us all so comfortable. All we did was rag each other, pull each others' legs and hide each others' cell phones. I even ended up doing a bakra of these guys, as you witnessed on April Fool's day." Shahid and you shared amazing on-screen chemistry in 'Ishq Vishq', but who is your favourite co-star? "I have been honoured to work with a brilliant actor like SRK in 'Main Hoon Na' and then, on the other hand, Vivek was a total contrast, a real mastikhor . Apart from the on-screen chemistry, Shahid brings out the best performance in me. Zayed is a real darling, great fun to work with. After doing a small role in 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh', I worked with Ajay again on a completely different level in 'Masti', but even while doing' Bhagat…' I was this petite little girl on a male-dominated set, but Ajay took the extra effort to make me feel comfortable." After your first hit-film, 'Ishq Vishq', and then a meaty role in 'Main Hoon Na', weren't you apprehensive about being one of the many wives in 'Masti'? "I wasn't apprehensive at all; it was such a fabulous script and all our roles were so well-etched out. Although 'Masti' has eight characters, each of us has been positioned so beautifully; if we've done are job well, I'm sure each of us in our own way will stand out. For instance, In 'Ishq Vishq' I wasn't the only girl sharing the frame with Shahid - there was Shenaz and a host of others - but my character (Payal) was scripted so well that she made a lasting impression." And what's Amrita's dream-man like - anything close to her on-screen hubby? "I think I get different energies from different people. There are some people who bring out the best in me; there are some who get me bored stiff. Then there are some who charge me up, but there are few I get attracted to. I guess that's why I don't have a boyfriend. For me, it's important that my man is simple and unpretentious. I would like him to like me the way I am, instead of trying to change me, which is the first mistake two people make." Will Amrita be a nag and over-demanding girl-friend/wife in real life, too? "I think I will give my boyfriend a lot of space, as long as I have an assurance and sense of security at the end of the day. I need that, and once I am convinced of it, I will be very cool. One thing you can't discount is the fact that men will always be men; they are always ready to mingle. So better watch out!" India Times

Amrita hai na

Amrita Rao is still ecstatic about the amazing success of her film Ishq Vishq, and this year will bring more rewards for her. She stars in a film that could be the biggest film of 2004,- Main Hoon Na. The petite Amrita talks how she bagged such a big film, about her director Farah Khan and of course, she tells us what makes Shah Rukh Khan the King Khan of Bollywood. In your very first year in the industry you seem to have made quite an impact? It feels great because I don't come from a film background. Whatever I achieve is on my own steam, so my success feels even better, it is huge thing for me. Starring in a Shah Rukh Khan home production and a Farah Khan film, takes your career to a different level. Yes, I am really excited about it and thankful that I got this opportunity. Farah Khan's film happened at a very critical stage of my career. Gauri Khan spotted me in a coffee commercial and suggested that Farah should audition me. Considering Farah is a choreographer-turned-director, the most important aspect of the audition must have been dancing? The first thing Farah asked me - Can you dance? My heart skipped a beat because I am not formally trained in dance or acting. I had to audition for a dance sequence, then she gave me a scene to check my acting skills. She told me it was critical that Shah Rukh meets me, because he is the producer of the film. I crossed my fingers, met Shah Rukh, and then I was in. Did you feel nervous, sharing the screen with King Khan? Only after working with him you will know why he is called the King Khan. He is absolutely amazing and I have learnt so much from him. Above all, the one thing he told me that I will always remember is, nothing else matters between action and cut, everything else is secondary. That was amazing and so true; because while working we have to do all kinds of scenes So what he said makes so much of sense. Are you playing a role similar to the college girl cutie you played in your previous hit Ishq Vishq? Yes, in Main Hoon Na I play a college student again, just like in my last release Ishq Vishq. In Ishq Vishq I was a shy, sweet girl next door; but what is really interesting about this film is that I am a tomboy, unlike a typical actress. It is a look that Farah had conceptualised the character in. For the first time, you will see a Hindi film actress who is dressed like a rock star. Filmfare.com

Amrita Rao: "I think I've finally arrived"

No starry family back-ups, Sugar Daddies, or spicy controversies. The sweet, simple girl-next-door just has a pot of luck stashed away. There's no sign of a blossoming ishq-vishq in her life, and neither is the girl up to any masti . She simply breaking every deewar and showing them the stuff she's made of. Amrita Rao's magic wand works in every film... "Well, I don't go around and wave my magic charm or anything, but I think I have been very lucky. At the same time, I have been particularly selective about my films, so that has gone a long way in shaping my success. The three successive hits that I could have had over three years, I've enjoyed the success in three months. As a newcomer, I couldn't have asked for more!" Most actresses who work with Akshaye Khanna find him very attractive... "I didn't have a big part in the film ('Deewar'), but it was quite an experience shooting the few scenes I had with Akshaye. Well, it felt nice sharing screen space with a mature actor like him, but I was certainly not in awe of him or anything close to that. It's not like I have grown up seeing his films. Yes, I am in awe of superstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, as I have literally grown up on their movies. It was a pleasure to work with Akshaye." Even after being so picky about her films, Amrita Rao signs a multi-starrer like 'Deewar' and makes an appearance in a few scenes... "Honestly, I had signed 'Deewar' before 'Ishq Vishq' had released and, as you are aware, much has changed since then. I was a newcomer; I didn't know what the future in the film industry would turn out to be, so at that point my mindset was different - I thought it was better to do a small role in a good film than a doing a big role in a film that will probably never be watched." The super-success of 'Main Hoon Na' has changed the course of your career... "I think being a part of Farah Khan's directorial debut with SRK in the lead really elevated my career to a different level. Overnight, I had an all-India and international market watching me on-screen. I got more notice than ever before and the appreciation just followed. Finally, I feel I've arrived!" Amrita Rao - the most wanted gal in tinsel-ville... "I don't know that; I can only hope for that, but let's just say offers are pouring in. Sadly, a lot of films that I am being approached for are hero-oriented roles. There's not much opportunity for me to perform; hence, I don't find it appealing." Coming from a non-filmi background has been tough.... "It is a big challenge to enter the film industry, but once you have made the break-through, it's all the same. I was fortunate to be noticed in ad films and subsequently be offered movies from filmmakers. I think whether it is a star child, or someone not from the film background...after a point, it doesn't really matter. Once you're on board, we're all sharing the same platform. Filmmakers have become very practical these days; if they don't think you have it, they don't entertain you any more. Here only talent matters, not whether you are a superstar's son or Ms. Nobody." If Amrita was offered a lesbian film... "It's a difficult subject to adapt in to our culture, and at this stage in my career, I don't know whether I would opt for a lesbian film like 'Girlfriend'. The director is the captain of the ship; it all depends on the sensibility with which he directs the film. The FTV culture is very slowly seeping into our society." Not much is not known about Amrita Rao's love-life... "I don't have a boyfriend and I have nobody to hide

I`d love to work with Varma & Bhansali: Amrita Rao

Your Deewaar is about to release. Tell us about your role in this hero-oriented film? Deewaar has Amitabh Bachchan, Akshaye and Sanjay Dutt, but I have no scenes with Amitabh Bachchan. But I have been lucky in that right from Ken Ghosh to Farah Khan to Milan Luthria, Indra Kumar etc. are all very chilled out and reasonable. Probably they all do all their homework very well. Deewaar is a hero-hero film - there's not much of the heroine in the film, but I was told this in the beginning. Milan had seen me in Bhagat Singh and wanted me, so I feel if I can make a mark in a small role that'll be to my credit. How have you been choosing your roles? I had signed Deewaar when Farah had signed me. I found it a safe proposition because if the film failed no one would blame me - the same with Masti, it had a win-win situation with so many of us in it. Deewaar is about prisoners of war and there could be no romance, but it is a nice film. I have a few scenes with Sanjay and I am the only heroine in it. If as a newcomer I take up nondescript films it'll not be good for me. How did films happen? I was in college which I did not complete, because I started modeling. I did the Perk ad which got me noticed and I was approached by filmmakers. My debut film was Ab Ke Baras with Arya Babbar. Ken Ghosh, Raj Kumar Santoshi and Raj Kanwar had offered me films, but Raj Kanwar was in a hurry to start his film so Ab Ke Baras became my first film. Immediately after that The Legend of Bhagat Singh followed. Then there was a year's gap in which we shot for Ishq Vishk. Any regrets that your first film didn't fare well? Ab Ke Baras did not fair well, but I have not regretted doing it because it was a major role. I played a double role - a major opportunity for a Hindi film debut. And when you consider it was Raj Babbar's son's film, ideally it should have been a very hero-oriented film, but it was more a fifty-fifty kind of opportunity for both of us. And I had important performance scenes with Ashutosh Rana and Ashish Vidyarthi and also Danny Denzongpa - all seasoned actors. It was a very challenging role and I played two contrasting roles - one was a simple girl based in the past with a period look and the other was an NRI from Canada. I had to climb a running bus and get onto a truck and do stunts - I learnt a lot doing Ab Ke Baras. I got trained in dancing by Saroj Khan, then I had action scenes so I got trained by Pappu Verma - I did almost everything in that one film. It was like doing ten films. Any hesitation before the camera? I had earlier done a lot of ads and I was perfectly fine in front of the camera. I think the difference between the modelling world and films is that one is without dialogues and you have to convey everything through your expressions and in a film you have to follow a character and behave like that character. And you have to dance. I have not learnt dancing or acting but I had no problem dancing. Where were you educated? I studied in Ruparel College, Mumbai. I studied in Canossa Convent. I was a student of psychology, but did not complete my graduation. How has Bollywood reacted to you? Bhagat Singh and Ab Ke Baras released neck and neck, so when Ab Ke Baras did not do much for me, Legend of Bhagat Singh fetched me some critical acclaim. People told me they remembered me from the film in that I attracted their attention though it was a small role - that was a very encouraging thing for me. Luckily film critics did not write me off or say that I needed to pack my bags. In fact I found they were watching me with interest. Ishq Vishk was a very good platform for me because I was playing my age, a college girl. It was also very beautifully promoted by Tips and Ken Ghosh. And I got noticed. Have you identified what is it that you have that other newcomers don't that you are getting noticed? There are lots of new girls who come in, but to do a Hindi film heroine is fairly difficult. I was told that all the girls look like models and not like characters they play. When we do auditions we find that someone looks good, but can't dance or cant do something else. It's very difficult to be a heroine. Any family opposition? I had no family opposition. My modelling career was going well and films were a major step - it was like entering into a more competitive world. No one compares models and says this one is better than that one, but in films there is a lot of competition. My major ads were Close Up, Pantene, Feeling, Bru and Perk. What are you being offered now? Fortunately I am getting performance-oriented scripts - the younger script writers and directors hopefully will change the scene. In Main Hoon Na, I was opposite Zayed and I played someone so different from Payal from Ishq Vishk who is a sweet girl while in Main Hoon Na I'm a complete tomboy - it's great contrast. And I 've got Deewaar. How was it working with a woman director? Working with Farah was great - she is immensely creative and that shows in her work. I'm very proud to see a woman calling the shots. She has done a lot of homework you can see. We were to release the film in December but because of Shah Rukh's being unwell the schedules went awry. We had a one month schedule in Darjeeling which went well. Farah saw me in the Bru commercial. She had not seen my films so she auditioned me and the first thing she asked me was wheteher I can dance. She auditioned me for my dance. Initially, I was very skeptical about my dancing ability but when I saw myself and people complimented me I thought I was okay. How do you feel about the response you have got for Ishq vishk? I am very happy with the response I have got for Ishq Vishk. Working with Ken Ghosh was a joyride and he makes newcomers very comfortable on the sets. You are not tense at all. We never felt we were working. Getting a part in a Shah Rukh Khan film made me happy that I would get the backing of his name- and for someone who doesn't come from a film background it's great thing. How much does a director matter to you? The director guides you, but you have to put your own input too. When I was playing `Payal`, I found she was a lot like me, but still I kept consulting with Ken whether I was getting it right. When would you refuse a role? When there are too many characters and your role is tiny then you would get lost so I might refuse such a role or the script may be weak sometimes a set up may be good so you accept a role. I would be influenced by the director by my co-stars and the script-the comfort level with your co-stars matters a lot. You should be able to discuss your script with your co-star you should have that much rapport. Are you a film buff and do you take a role home? I do my homework when I get my scripts. I watch films but not any and every film. I used to see films on the video. Who do you admire in Bollywood? Aamir Khan - everyone likes him, and any role he plays he does to perfection. He has a fantastic fan following. I like Shabana Azmi and Dipti Naval. I 'd like to work with Ram Gopal Varma, John Mathew, Sanjay Leela Bhansali - he has an eye for detail, Ken Ghosh - I'd love to work with him again. Sify

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