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Aarti Agarwal
Big dreams
 After
two blockbusters Nuvvu Naaku Nachavu and Nuvvu Lekha Nenu Lenu,
actress Aarti Agarwal is on the verge of an hat-trick - her film
Allari Ramudu with NTR Junior is slated for release soon. She is
on cloud nine for bagging a role with negative shades opposite Chiranjeevi
in the much-awaited Indra. Due to lack of dates, she missed out
on blockbuster Santhosham and also two coveted projects with Balakrishna
and NTR Junior. To break her bubbly girl image, she is playing a
glam girl in Allari Ramudu and a middle-class girl in Nee Sneham.
Though her Hindi film Paagalpan was a disaster, it has come as a
blessing in disguise for her as she has become the first choice
for Telugu filmmakers. Apart from making her debut in Tamil with
Vijay, she is also planning to re-enter Hindi films with a good
project.
Do you regret doing Paagalpan as it failed to give you a
break unlike Nuvvu Naaku ... which made you a star in Tollywood?
If
not for Paagalpan, I wouldn’t have bagged my maiden Telugu
film Nuvvu Naaku ... and whatever I am today is because of that
film. Though I don’t regret doing it but I do agree that it
was not a perfect launch vehicle since it ended up as a not-so-good
film for various reasons. Fortunately, working in Nuvvu ... has
been a great learning experience, making me realise that acting
is not a cake-walk as I had assumed. Now I understand the kind of
hard work that goes in to churn out a first-rate performance. Incidentally,
director Joy Augustin introduced Simran with Tere Mere Sapne but
she made it big only in the South. Similarly I too think I’ll
leave my mark in Telugu films. However, I love to do both Telugu
and Hindi films.
By playing a full-fledged glamour girl in Allari Ramudu, which is
incidentally your hat-trick film, it seems that you are consciously
shrugging off your lover girl image?
It
was not a conscious decision to play a glam girl but it came my
way on its own and I took it up since glamour is confined only to
songs and not all through the film as people assume. I have being
trying to do something different among the offers that keep coming
in and there are instances of my rejecting scripts which sounded
repetitive. It was nice working with NTR Junior and Gopalji and
I enjoyed being part of this fun film. I loved re-doing the popular
old song Akuchatu Pillathadise.. picturised on the late NTR Rama
Rao and Sridevi and I can imagine the kind of hysteria this song
is going to evoke as it has been done by his grandson and me.
Is it true that you have rejected few big films since they were
not ready to pay the amount you demanded?
I
couldn’t take up those offers because I didn’t have dates
to spare and not due to hike in remuneration. It is not me but my
father who discusses financial matters with producers but I think
I am definitely affordable, considering my position. I couldn’t
do Santhosham with Nagarjuna for the same reason but I am happy
that it has launched Shreya. I have been tied up in the cycle of
dates with one film commencing immediately after the completion
of another so I had to forego new projects including Balakrishan’s
film and Naaga with NTR Junior. However, I don’t regret anything
since I believe in destiny. Also I have some interesting films lined
up for release.
With Sonali Bendre also sharing the honours, what is the significance
of your role in Chiranjeevi’s Indra and how was it working
and dancing with him?
Interestingly
it is the first time that I playing a role with negative shades
in it and being the sister of two ‘baddies’, I had to
confront Chiranjeevi on a few occasions. Initially, I was scared
but later he made me feel comfortable and provided valuable acting
tips. Both me and Sonali share equal footage in the film and I hope
the audience will like me in this new avatar. I know that Chiranjeevi
is a fabulous dancer but I managed two numbers with the help of
choreographer Lawrence and Chiranjeevi himself. Its also one of
the big films I am eagerly looking forward too.
You have worked with seniors like Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh and juniors
Mahesh, Tarun and Udaykiron.
From
seniors, one gets to learn a lot even by just observing them and
also understand the kind of interest they show in their projects
and definitely I have to put in extra effort to match their timing
and expressions. With youngsters, it’s like a match with one
trying to outscore the other. It is more like a picnic than work.
By doing films with both seniors and juniors, I am also making a
point that I am capable of matching strides with everyone irrespective
of their age and position.
After Indra, do you have any project wherein you are not playing
a bubbly girl. What are your other projects?
I
know the limitations for an young actress since I can’t do
matured roles I have to choose from the roles offered to me. I play
a simple ‘middle class’ girl in Nee Sneham with Uday Kiron
which is very different and has excellent scope for histrionics.
My character in Raghavendra Rao’s venture with Mahesh as the
hero is also quite interesting. I am making my debut in Tamil with
star Vijay in the remake of Nuvvu Naaku Nachavu as this film is
close to my heart. Another project with my favourite star Venkatesh
is being confirmed and a few more offers are at the discussion stage.
I am also discussing a few Hindi films. That I’ll tell you
once everything is finalised.
Media painted the town red about your affair with Tarun. Is there
any truth in this?
Not
at all. Initially I was upset with these baseless rumours but on
the advice of my well-wishers in the industry, I have decided to
take them in my stride. On the flip side, I understood that rumours
are spread only about leading and famous stars. It only indicates
that I have attained a prominent position. Also personally, I don’t
like to read gossips magazines. So my favourite film magazine is
undoubtedly Screen.
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