How would you describe your role in Kucch To Hai?
I’m Tanya, a collegian. An intelligent, popular, today’s girl.
What similarities do you find between yourself and Tanya?
I’m not sure about the intelligence but I can certainly lay claim to being popular. (Laughs). Incidentally, after being called Esha in all my films to date, it is a relief to be addressed by another name.
How is this role different from the ones you have done so far?
Kucch To Hai revolves around six characters. Something happened to them when they were in college which after four years returns to haunt them. My role demanded constant reactions to different situations. You can see for yourself that it is not the usual, saccharine-sweet heroine’s role. It is more true to life.
Did you enjoy working in a thriller?
(Grins) I don’t normally watch thrillers so I had approached the film with some hesitation. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at the genre has dispelled some of the spookiness associated with it. The whole schedule was like one long picnic and the work most satisfying.
Has the audience’s taste changed? Are thrillers here to stay?
Well, it is kind of weird that people are rejecting love stories for the blood-and-gore stuff. I believe it is the world that has made us so morbid. The September 11 tragedy for instance. People see that kind of a destructive mentality at work around them and perceive it as the only truth. It makes them react more easily to the bent minds portrayed in Humraaz and Deewangi.
Did you experience a sense of deja vu working with Tusshar?
I have known Tusshar since my childhood. So, even in our first film, Kya Dil Ne Kaha, we shared a great rapport. Kucch To Hai is a very different film from Kya Dil Ne Kaha. Maybe, if there was just another routine love affair, I’d have felt a kind of deja vu giving the same kind of shots with him, again and again. But our earlier equation paved the way for a smooth professional relationship this time around too.
Having worked only in single-heroine projects till now, how did you respond to a two-heroine scenario?
As I said earlier, KTH revolves around six characters who could have been played by any six people. I may be the heroine of KTH but it is not a heroine-oriented film. As for my equation with Natassha, well, I’m quite an aloof person and don’t mix easily. I like to sit by myself and chill after the shot is over. But I was friendly and cordial as far as work was concerned.
Do you feel that you have matured as an actor?
That’s for others to decide. I can only say that the actor within me is never satisfied. These is always room for improvement.
According to insiders, a film starring you and your mother Hema Malini is on the cards...
(Cuts in) It is my dream to do a film with my mother. We do have plans for such a project. Let’s see what happens.
You must be excited about her re-entering films?
I’m amazed at her zest, her enthusiasm for new things. It is good that she took up Baghbaan as I feel that she still has a long innings in this field.