Thrillers seem to have become your forte?
It isn’t my conscious decision to sign such films, they just come my way. I didn’t sign Humraaz because it was a thriller but because it offered me scope as an actress. This is my criterion for all the films that I do. Co-incidentally, both Elaan and Vaada were released one week after the other and this has given rise to the speculation that thrillers are all that I’m signing.
Did you have a role model in mind while preparing for the role of an investigative journalist in Elaan?
I didn’t have any particular journalst in mind though you can say that my character, Priya, is somewhat akin to a Tehelka journalist. She will stop at nothing to get her scoop and is unmindful of any danger that comes her way.
The duet,‘Bechain mera dil hai...’ featuring you and Rahul Khanna had a lot of special effects...
(Cuts in) It is the most difficult song that I have done so far. While shooting for a normal song, you know your cues, your marks. Here, we were shooting with a blue screen as the backdrop and I half the time I didn’t knew how to react. I was apprehenssive about the result but was satisfied when I saw the film.
| I don’t believe in camps. I find it refreshing to work with different co-stars because it adds to your versatility | |
You are one actress who doesn’t say no to fresh pairings. Is it a conscious career choice on your part or does it happen by sheer coincidence?
I don’t believe in camps. I find it refreshing to work with different co-stars because it adds to your versatility. The audience too gets to see you paired with a fresh face everytime. They would also feel bored if you appeared with the same co-star always. I loved working alongside Rahul Khanna in Elaan. He is like a prince in both real and reel life and it would be fun to do work with him again.
Your brother Ashmit Patel was praised for his work in Murder. Are you happy for the way his career is taking shape.
I’m happy for Ashmit. He has much to achieve in life yet and can only grow as an actor after Murder. I wish him the best of luck for all future successes.
After Gadar you are appearing in another period piece, Ketan Mehta’s The Rising. Tell us something about that.
I’m very much excited about The Rising as I feel it would be another landmark film in my career. Working with Aamir Khan has been a dream come true. He is a perfectionist and I learned so much just by watching him. In a period film you have to get the nuances just right but thanks to Ketanji I was able to rise to the challenge. I’m afraid I can’t divulge anything about my role except the fact that I’m playing a revolutionary called Jwala. The film is due for release sometime in June 2005 and speaking in length about it would be giving the game away.