Your character in Ishqiya exudes sexuality and relies on deceit. One hadn’t expected you to explore such a space.
I agree people had perceived me in a certain light but personally, I have not set any limitations for myself regarding the roles I take up. I am greedy as an actor and have been so in the past. I’ve experimented with roles and film-makers alike. Ishqiya simply pushes that limit. The aggressive sexuality that my character exudes is there in all of us. After all, my character Krishna is the typical Indian woman who fits into the shoes of a mother, daughter and sister during the day but behind the doors, she’s very sexual. Somehow we have come to associate ‘sexy’ with the clothes we wear but to me, it’s all about the eyes. So one can be clothed head to toe and still be sensuous.
How are the people around you reacting to this unexplored facet?
I had truly not bargained for the variety of reactions that I’ve got after the theatrical promo was released. One of my friends told me that earlier, he would have had to think twice before telling me I looked ‘hot’ because he perceived me to be a certain way. But now, he is comfortable doing so. On the other hand, a producer, whom I shall not name, actually came up to me and said that he didn’t know I was capable of being raunchy!
Did you hesitate in mouthing the expletives?
During rehearsals, I would not mouth expletives. I had come up with certain short cuts and would use those during practice. Arshad (Warsi) would keep telling me that I should use the exact word so I could get comfortable before we shoot the scene but I asked him to leave it to me. So finally, when we shot such a scene the first time, I did it just perfect and everyone on the set asked me if I was out to shock them.
Was it awkward romancing a veteran like Naseerudin Shah on screen, especially since he has not portrayed a romantic character in years?
I have a huge problem of giggling during rehearsals. And it happens more so when I share a good rapport with my co-actors. So often while rehearsing, I would either get a giggling fit or look away to avoid one. He couldn’t understand what was wrong with me but he was very patient. By the end of it, Arshad and Naseerji had nicknamed me Giggles.
At the same time, while one does ease up, it’s not possible to be on back-slapping terms with someone as senior as Naseerji. His daughter Heeba was a senior in college. I remember when once we were to work together on a certain project. I called up her residence and the moment I heard Naseerji’s voice, I hung up. So one always maintains that respectable distance.
How many takes before you got yourself to slap Warsi on screen?
Arshad and I are very good friends and every time director, Abhishek Chaubey, would roll the camera, I would slap Arshad gently. He kept insisting that I shouldn’t hesitate — we were shooting in sync sound and unless I slapped him hard, it would not sound right. After a couple of takes, I finally managed to land him such a solid one that I am sure he had a heart attack. I got away with it with a mere apology.
Your other film, Paa, which also releases this December, deals with a rare growth disorder, progeria. Was it an emotionally challenging film?
The film does deal with a serious topic but the beauty of R Balakrishnan (director) is that he treats such topics with sensitivity and yet make them light. We saw it in his debut Cheeni Kum where he dealt with the topic of romancing a much younger woman with such panache that it didn’t rankle. Similarly, what we have here with Paa is also an extraordinary situation but he treated it in a way that it gives you a Life is Beautiful kind of feeling.
Amitabh Bachchan’s character in the movie is of a young kid who suffers from progeria. Was it challenging to correlate the 61-year-old actor with the 12-year-old he plays in the movie?
The prosthetics that he used for the movie did most of the job. But after having worked with him in Paa, I wish every actor gets a chance to work with him at least once in their lifetime. I have been told at times that I take my job way too seriously. But working with Mr Bachchan has validated my faith. Despite having been in the industry for so many years, he continues to be passionate and true to his work.
Critics have often pointed out that you aren’t suited for contemporary characters. Would you agree?
I consider this a huge compliment because today, most contemporary characters these days are floozy and I need substance. If I am doing more justice to the Indian-woman roles, so be it. I prefer that to the flimsily sketched and often lifeless characters that border on being apologetic.
Television as a medium is an attractive option for film stars these days. Since you started with television, would you explore it again?
As an actor, I have been spoilt by the cinematic medium now. Television on the contrary is exacting in terms of budget and delivery dates. I think I have become too laidback for television.
