ON A DREAM RUN

This Juhi in black tights and a white T-shirt, her face clear of all colours, is the very opposite of the celluloid image you had in mind. But she could still be anybody’s dream girl. For three hours you watch her sway and sigh, pirouette and plead with the choreographer to give her a break between the acts so she can change and catch her breath. And as you watch her puff, pant and sometimes almost pass out from the exertion, you realise how much sweat and strain goes into the making of a sapna.

It’s been a dream run for Juhi. Yes Boss, Deewana Mastana, Ishq and even Mr & Mrs Khiladi in the initial weeks, had the crowds queueing up and the box-office counters jingling. Just when everyone was expecting her to take the saat pheras, the never predictable lady had come up with a winning package. And today, is back to spinning out celluloid dreams with renewed determination. So wasn’t it time to get dreamy with the dream girl...?

“Me and dreams!” Juhi shrieks, when you sound her out. “Hey, I’m a very practical person.” You aren’t disheartened. What does it matter if she doesn't suddenly fade into a flashback or a flashforward in real life? Or that she has yet to go through the ’book of dreams’ her friend has presented her with. Everybody has dreams. At night when hidden fears and fantasies come to life. When a loved one walks into your life... or walks out. When something sparks a creative high. Everybody has dreams. Even Juhi Chawla.

“You’re right,” she nods. And surrounded by the day’s bits and pieces, in the cushioned comfort of her Land Rover, our Alice takes a trip to wonderland...

I dream of...
...Rolling in money, gems and joy.

My earliest dream...
...To become a playback singer. But I’ve still to work up the courage to croon before an audience.

My most terrifying dream...
...That I was appearing for an exam and when the question papers are distributed, I find to my horror that I had prepared for the wrong subject or that I had just blanked out. I couldn’t answer a single question. I’d wake up in cold sweat, my pillow drenched in tears, and it would be a while before I’d convince myself that it was just a sapna, and that that part of my life...the endless cramming and the exams... were over and done with. Now I don’t have to worry about report cards and grades. Only hits and flops.

A recurring dream...
...The one I just told you about. It haunted me with frightening regularity for years. Mercifully, it hasn’t given me the shivers for a while now. I hope it stays away.

An intuitive dream...
... I haven’t had one yet but there have been moments during a shoot when I’ve felt that I’d been here and done this before. And yet, I knew I hadn’t. It’s an eerie sensation.

My dream year...
... Make that years. 1997, the year I notched up three much-needed hits in quick succession. Yes Boss, Deewana Mastana and Ishq... and I was back in the reckoning. 1993 (or was it 1994) was also dreamy. Lootere, Aaina, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and Darr. And Juhi Chawla was everyone’s dream girl.

My dream role...
....Mother India. Isn’t it everyone’s? Chandni...I made a special appearance in that film and I have to confess I was so envious of Sridevi’s role. It had everything... smiles, sighs, Swiss snow and champagne, sobs and a lovely ‘and they lived happily ever after’ end. And of course, Muzaffar Ali’s dream project Umrao Jaan. Asha and Khayyam’s unforgettable ghazals, the poetic ambience which made it so different from other films about kothas and mujrewalis, those glorious silks and gorgeous gems and finally a National Award-winning role. Rekhaji was so lucky!

I’ve had my share of dream roles too. Like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. I didn’t know it when I was making the film but looking back I realise I couldn’t have asked for a better break. It was my first solo starrer and it celebrated a jubilee.

My favourite dream song...
...Kabhi main kahoon from Lamhe, my favourite film. And the title song from Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin. It was brilliantly shot. The transition from the past to the present... flashforward to rewind. The passages through time made the whole thing so romantic.

An unfulfilled dream...
....Bagging a Screen award.

The one person I’d like to dream of...
...My mom.

An impossible dream...
...Being in Sonia Gandhi’s shoes.

My dream man...
...No names but he has to be intelligent, well brought up, well groomed, successful, caring... (I know I’m going on and on but you can be greedy in your dreams!) he should have a keen sense of humour and the talent to make me smile even when I have a touch of the blues. And most importantly, to be my heart-throb he has to have a big heart.

My dream for the future...
...I want to be in show business for a long, long time. Producing good, successful movies. And I hope I’ll be happy and content sometime in life.