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 Antara
Mali made her debut in a small budget film called Doondte Reh Jaonge.
The film went unnoticed and to Antara’s dismay, her second film,
Dum Dum Diga Diga was shelved halfway through. Her next break came
with a Telugu film, Prem Katha that did average business but there
seemed little chance of her making it in Hindi films. But miracles
happen, and Ram Gopal Varma, well known for resurrecting careers,
cast her in Mast. It was a small role but it was a second coming
for the daughter of ace-photographer Jagdish Maali who is now returning
with a bang opposite Vivek Oberoi in another Ram Gopal Varma film,
Company. Mature beyond her years and unique in her insights, Antara
is special because she can effortlessly switch from being the girl-next-door
to a victim of circumstances. Spontaneous and sensitive, it’s difficult
to dislike Antara. Her debut performance was devoid of cliches.
And now in a difficult role of a convict in Company, Antara hopes
to make a permanent place for herself in the hearts of the audience.
On the eve of the film’s release, Antara reflects on her one-Hindi-film-old
career and analyses her chances.
When
did you first discover that you wanted to become an actress?
When I was very young, perhaps in school. But I never told anyone
till much later. When I finally did, dad did all he could to disuade
me. I thought he would be supportive of my decision to be a part
of showbiz, but it worked against me.
So how did you bring him around?
It took a long time, months. I persisted nevertheless, and finally
he relented. He shot my portfolio for me. After that of course,
there were no complaints.
Were the results that good?
Yes, I was extremely comfortable in front of the camera and dad
could see that. He has over the years photographed so many models
and stars that he knew that the camera wasn’t lying.
And what was his reaction when he saw you on the big screen?
I will never forget the day. We went to the theatre together and
slipped into our seats. When the lights went off and the film began,
dad started a running commentary. According to him everything about
me was wrong. My body language, costumes, make-up, dialogue delivery
and performance. I was so offended that I just got up and came home.
What about your mother?
Mom not being a part of the film industry, was much kinder. It was
a relief to get praise from one member of the family at least.
Your parents separated when you were very young.
That’s right, but their separating was not at all traumatic
for me. There were no deprivations. I admit there was a brief phase
when I wasn’t communicating with dad. Then came the phase when
I was predictably awkward in his presence, but there was never any
resentment. Sometimes, the hurt lingered longer than intended, but
his motive was never in doubt. In fact, my unusual circumstances
helped me to grow up into the kind of person I’m today.
You’ve been in the hiding for more than a year.
That’s true. It’s been a habit to stay away when I have
nothing concrete to offer. I was doing nothing substantial and I
saw no point in getting noticed. It was more than a year since Mast
had been released and I had kind of given up on my career. Then
out of the blue Ramuji offered me a South film followed by Company.
I was delighted because it’s a pleasure working with him.
Aren’t you unusually media shy?
I’m not shy just realistic. Just because my father has been
an important photographer I don’t have to enjoy the limelight.
I have to first prove myself. Besides, in the last few months nothing
dramatic has happened to me professionally. There were times when
I felt discouraged and diffident. I felt I had let down people who
were expecting a lot from me. Everyone was expecting me to make
headlines and were disappointed when I didn’t. Of course, I
could be wrong.
Were there any interesting offers in the interim?
Unfortunately no. After the release of Mast, the only offers that
came my way were second leads. All of them wanted me to play the
silent friend who loves the hero but is never loved in return. It
was a little irritating and I was not ready to get into the stereotype.
Old guards advised me that lead roles would not come my way. But
I wasn’t willing to give up so
easily.
What made you optimistic?
I don’t know. Something inside told me that my time would come
and I was willing to be patient. There were endless offers from
big banners for supporting roles, from television and also from
stage. But I wanted to be the lead heroine. I felt cinema had changed,
times had changed and my chance would come too. Hindi films are
no longer the cliches they used to be. In the ’60s and the
’70s only one kind of films were made. The ’90s in contrast
was a revolutionary decade. An actor like Manoj Bajpai got to do
Satya, Shool and later Zubeida. Today an actress like Urmila Matondkar
gets to act in films as diverse as Rangeela, Daud and Kaun. So why
can’t the rules break for me too?
Do you sometimes look upon Mast as a mistake?
Never, not even in my weakest moment do I regret doing the film.
I loved my character in the film. I knew I was going to accept the
film from the moment Ramuji narrated the role to me. The character
was so spirited and spoke from the heart. I was confident of adding
layers and colour to Anjali’s persona. Besides, I had earlier
worked with Ramuji in a South film and had enjoyed the experience
thoroughly.
What’s
so special about his style of working?
I haven’t done all that many films to compare him with other
directors, so what I say is subjective. He gives a lot of space
to his actors. In fact, he’s almost like a counsellor. It’s
all very reassuring and the actor feels confident when finally facing
the camera. It’s almost as if he gently leads you to the battlefield
and then leaves you to find your own weapon.
And how does an actor choose his weapons?
I guess it happens instinctively and differently for every actor.
For instance Mast was easy for me because I was playing my age.
The gestures didn’t call for specific homework. Not so in Company
which is a more complex and deeper character. It needed turning
the searchlight inwards. Company was quite a draining experience.
I wouldn’t like to elaborate more on the role because I’d
much rather people talk about it after seeing the film.
That’s very restrained coming from a newcomer.
Restraint is a part of my personality. I’m not shopping for
praise or attention. When I’m going through a low I do look
for inspiration from people I admire. I’m here in showbiz because
I like acting. If I make it fine, if not I will still continue to
love cinema. It’s been an enriching experience to just be in
the studios and imbibe the discipline. Particularly down South.
In a Malayalam film where I played a single mother, the outdoors
was like attending a workshop. Only learning the language was a
nightmare. They would give me long dialogue sheets and quite often
I thought I was going to burst into tears. It’s a miracle how
I completed the film.
—Bhawana
Somaaya
bhawanasomaaya@expressindia.com
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