| MAHIMA CHAUDHARY::SUCCESS
OWN TERMS |
 After
a promising debut in Pardes, how would you rate your careergraph?
First, let me tell you, I don’t think I’ve made any wrong
moves. I still enjoy work and the type of films I’ve been getting.
Above all I am working with the best talent in the industry. It
is true that Subhash Ghai introduced me and gave me an identity
as an actress. And I have reason to think I have not disappointed
anyone subsequently.
Honestly, I hadn’t set any targets for myself. Everyone goes
through a rough
Thanks
to the promising debut
in Subhash Ghai’s Pardes,
she’s managed to create a wedge for herself in the Hindi
film arena. She’s backed up the early promise with sheer
dedication and hard work, even staying systematically away from
the gossip mills.
She had small, yet crucial roles to play in Dhadkan and Deewane,
a choice she’s had no reason to regret. “The quality
of the role matters, not the size,” she insists. She’s
in for a busy season, with quite a few mega projects coming
up with the likes of Rajkumar Santoshi and Priyadarshan.
On the eve of the release of her
latest starrer, Kurukshetra
opposite Sanjay Dutt, Mahima Chowdhuri exudes rare self-confidence.... |
initiation in
films, and I’ve expected nothing more. I am happy with whatever
I’ve done to date, and that’s what gives me the most satisfaction.
I’ve also had the opportunity to work with people like Suneil
Darshan and Mahesh Manjrekar, who’re considered to be among
the best prospects in filmmaking. So I certainly cannot complain.
But for a Subhash Ghai discovery, your career hasn’t quite
zoomed off, has it?
Do you think I am the best judge of that? However, I don’t
agree with you. I have done films that I felt would do justice to
me as an actress and I know very well what I should be doing. You
are entitled to your perception that I have not done well, yet.
That’s not how I see it, though.
Does that mean you’re content with what you’ve done to
date?
Yes, of course. There may have been many expectations from me from
so many quarters. I know I am doing well and hope to continue doing
so. I have nothing more to comment about it.
You have been accepted as a good actress, but why does success still
elude you?
When you say I’ve been accepted as a good actress, it says
everything. Would you blame a particular actress or actor for the
failure of a film? I think it is a collective effort that goes into
filmmaking. The fate of any film depends on so many factors. Speaking
for myself, I have done those films where I felt I stood the best
chance. And I am happy to say my efforts have been appreciated.
How on earth would I be getting all these exciting offers, otherwise?
Do you agree you’ve been very choosy as an actress? And is
that the reason why you’ve only acted in a few films so far?
There is no question of an artiste accepting all the offers that
come his way. To tell you the fact, I was never desperate nor am
I that today. My priority has been always to work with only those
filmmakers who’d offer me scope to exhibit my talent in a big
way. But you cannot say I’ve been any choosier than others
in the matter of accepting films. I don’t believe in doing
a number of films. One has to carefully shape up one’s career
and I am taking all precautions not to repeat myself as an actress.
What type of films are being offered to you these days?
I always look for the strength of the character I am to play in
a film before I sign on the dotted line. The fact that I am working
with people like Suneil Darshan, Rajkumar Santoshi and Priyadarshan
is a pointer to the type of films I am doing. I have challenging
roles in their films, as you’ll soon find out.
It is said that the Hindi film scenario has changed over the years,
that only the very best survive, while others fade away. How difficult
has it been for you to find a foothold in these circumstances?
If I have survived all these years and done so many films, I must
assume I’ve done quite well, despite the odds. See, this phenomena
you refer to, applies to all professions. The same applies to films
too. Without any professional knowledge or background, you cannot
survive in any field. I enjoy my work and I feel totally at home
doing some sensible films, which have inspired me to do better.
Before you landed up in this industry, what was your impression
about the glamour world?
To tell you frankly, I had no inkling about anything related to
this field. I had never thought I’d become an actress. While
in school in Darjeeling, I was just an average girl who liked films,
and never fancied anything beyond that.
But I tasted the glamour world for the first time when I posed as
a model for Camy. At that time I knew how special this field was.
I had never thought of ever becoming an actress before that. I was
lucky enough to be discovered by Subhash Ghai, who is known for
unearthing good talent. To be chosen by him is a big honour. So,
in a way I had very little knowledge about this industry before
stepping in here.
VITAL
STATISTIX
Her star sign:
Virgo
Her reaction to gossip: I react very badly to lies, but
enjoy positive comments
What puts her down: Educated people behaving as if they
were not
What makes her cheerful: I like to have my loved ones
around me all the time
What luck means to her: Everything. It adds spice to my
life
Her biggest fear: Losing people who love me
Her biggest dream: To do something the whole world will
appreciate
Her expectations from a relationship: Dependability,
honesty, loyalty
Her definition of love: Love is what life is all about
Her most precious possession: The adulation of my fans |
Who have been your inspirations so far?
Frankly none. I was just an average girl who watched films for entertainment,
I never yearned to become an actress.
But once I decided to work in films, I began to study the performances
of my contemporaries and seniors. I’ve loved watching the films
of Naseeruddin Shah, Nargis and others who have a very different
approach to their profession. I have learnt a lot just by watching
them. So in way, they’ve been my inspirations.
It is generally said that the heroine and hero are the lead players
in a film.
According to you what are the qualities they should possess?
Oh, that’s a difficult question. I feel first and foremost,
the artistes should possess good looks for the roles. Next comes
the ability to perform. Then other qualities such as professionalism
also matter, and these should suffice as indicators on whether the
artistes will go far. Filmmakers always would like to work with
people who are flexible in nature and subscribe to their ideas and
his visualisation of roles.
As regards audience expectations, it has always been a fact that
they have a definite image of a particular artiste, and if they
live upto that expectation, they become great stars. It’s very
difficult for a star or film to succeed if he’s projected differently
from the image.
What has been the happiest moment in your career so far?
Obviously, the offer of a role in films. It was so unexpected and
sudden that I was too stunned to react, especially in a film by
Subhash Ghai with Shah Rukh Khan as a co-star.
Recently, you played second fiddle in films like Dhadkan and Deewane,
much to the disappointment of your ardent fans. Any special reason
for that?
The only reason I chose those films was that I happened to admire
the filmmakers. Frankly, I don’t go by the length of a role,
the importance of the character and the scope it offers me to act
is more important. I enjoyed doing both those film and learnt quite
a lot from them. I was confident the roles would be appreciated
in the final outcome. And I am happy to note that my performances
were appreciated, which is vindication enough.
How did you find the experience of working in Kurukshetra, which
is being released this week?
Oh, it was great. I particularly enjoyed the role, that of the wife
of Sanjay Dutt, a police officer who fights evil in the system.
It was good to work with a filmmaker like Mahesh Manjrekar. I think
it will be one of the most memorable films of my career.
How do you rate Mahesh Manjrekar as a director?
He is so focussed on his films that others in the unit soon catch
the commitment, and it’s a treat to work with him. He knows
exactly what he wants from his artistes, which enables him to work
at such great speed on the sets.
There’s an editing machine in his brain which is constantly
working, and that helps him do away with all the wasteful shots.
Lastly, tell us about your forthcoming releases.
I have Rajkumar Santoshi’s Lajja, Khiladi 420 and Priyadarshan’s
Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar, all of which have me in totally different
shades. I am really enjoying working with these filmmakers and I
hope my work in them will be appreciated.
Padmaraj
Nair
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