AISHWARYA RAI

Taking tinselville by STORM!
Rewind to 1999. It’s the year when Indian cinema obtained its newest female icon. Sanjay Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and to a lesser extent, Subhash Ghai’s Taal put Aishwarya Rai in a league of her own, far removed from the interchangeable floozie-in-the-frock stereotype which the average 90s heroine is subjected to. To the surprise of all those who’d written off the stunner as just another ramp-queen, Ash proved herself quite the Jill of Tinselville. Her admirers and fans from the age of 3 to 93 say she’s the last of the movie queens after Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit. But as Aishwarya proves through her self-effacing declarations she isn’t taking the movie-queen business seriously. Intensely into her work, it’s hard to pin her down for a detailed tete-a-tete. Not that she’s elusive. It’s just that her commitments take her from Mumbai to London to Hyderabad within days and hours. Interviews? They can wait until the next pause in the heady whirligig of showbiz...

Your next release is Josh, which has taken so long to make. Why do you get caught in all these serpentine productions?
(Laughs) What can I say?

Everything that I have applied myself to, whether it’s been modelling, academics or acting, I wanted to carve a niche for myself. I don’t know how successful I am as an actress. But I’m glad I’ve been accepted in this field as well

And then some of our long-dormant producers turn around and accuse you of acting high and mighty...

Those who believe in fairplay know the truth. The writing is clearly on the wall. I don’t have to say anything. Right now, I’m shooting for Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai. The film may sound like a marathon to you. But we’re wrapping up the shoot pretty fast. And let me tell you, I’m not complaining about titles that go on and on (laughs).

The market buzz is that the only heroine after Hema Malini who makes a difference to a project is Aishawarya Rai...

(Squeals in delight) How sweet!

More than sweet it sounds scary to me.
Of course. Don’t I know it? The only way I can continue to enjoy my work is if I laugh and don’t take these market assessments seriously.

How do you plan to use this exceptional power you have over the male-dominated industry?
You’re asking me a very critical question. I don’t want to say anything that sounds over-profound. The only way to retain the magic of acting is to not pay attention to the so-called responsibilities that have been thrust on me. I plan to remain blissfully unaware of this supposed power I have. Only then can I focus on what I am really here for. I’d rather concentrate on the craft. The rest are incidental perks. Whatever course life has to take, it will.

I am not saying my situation in the film industry today is the same as when I won the crown. But there was a similar flurry around my career. When I joined films there was a major hullabaloo about the number and kind of films I’d signed. By the grace of God, I didn’t take too long to prove myself in this profession. It took the first four Hindi releases to put me on the right track. It’s important for me to not take success or failure seriously, so I can continue to grow as an actress.

But surely you can’t be unaware of the power you possess...

Life will take its toll on all of us. We get injured, we get old. It’s really sad to try to run away from these harsh realities of life. Looks are not everything. I am not going to look beautiful all the time

I am not unaware of it. But I am no stranger to success and the ensuing power. I look at my movie career as a repeat of my stint as Ms World. I’m glad I’m finally being recognized as an actress. Because that’s what I was looking for. In the beginning, I had to face the “Aishwarya Rai Joining Movies” number. Today, I’m being recognized as an actress. I’m pleased about it. I wanted to be recognized as an actress. Everything that I have applied myself to, whether it’s been modelling, academics or acting, I wanted to carve a niche for myself. I don’t know how successful I am as an actress. But I’m glad I’ve been accepted in this field as well. I have seen my colleagues, contemporaries and juniors succumbing to constant attention. I wouldn’t like to become a victim of my image, as long as I can help it.

But the constant pressure on your time must be painful.
I couldn’t imagine that the days could get fuller. But they have. I can’t seem to understand where and how the extra minutes and hours are being squeezed in.

You seem to have no time for the media any longer. Aren’t you losing out on something vital?
But hasn’t it always been that way? Today I’m looking for creative collaborations, where the best in me is harnessed in films by directors who know their job. I’d like to believe I share a certain productive camaraderie with the directors. And I’m not just talking about the directors I’ve worked with. Even those I haven’t worked with, or have had a chance to interact with during my years in the film industry seem to be extending a collaborative hand towards me. I’m fascinated by the creative synergy that flows whenever I meet directors for story sessions. That’s one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career today.

Sometimes, when I meet directors, I keep smiling to myself. They come up with such good ideas. Given the time, I’d love to do all the films that are offered to me.

Do you feel Devdas will be the highlight of your career?
I’d like to believe every forthcoming film of mine will be special. But Paro sounds like a very special character. Even before Sanjay (Bhansali) spoke directly to me, everyone around me was speculating I’d be offered Chandramukhi. I waited for Sanjay’s direct take on this. When he approached me, I knew he had conceived Paro with me in mind. I guess people thought because of the dances, I’d be offered Chandramukhi. When Sanjay narrated two scenes to me, I found Paro extremely interesting because she goes through a gamut of emotions. Paro seems very human, very much the woman of today.

Interestingly, you play Shah Rukh’s sister in Josh, his sweetheart in Mohabbatein and his other woman in Devdas. The two of you seem bonded in all kinds of relationships!
I don’t know if it has anything to do with anything, but our birthdays are separated by just a day. And I don’t know if Shah Rukh will agree, but we both accept roles instinctively. We like to choose impulsively even if it means defying the norms of the star system. Shah Rukh did a spate of negative roles at the height of his career. He does exactly what he wants to.

When I signed Josh the cast underwent a number of changes. But I never wavered in my decision to do the film. I’d agreed to work with Mansoor Khan. I found my character, Shirley, fun and interesting and quite different from the other roles I had on hand. Once I was committed, I stuck on. Lots of people called up to say I had the right to opt out since the cast kept changing. I was like, I’m not here to make chess moves. I’m working in the movies. If anyone has to think about the moves, it’s the producer and director. If they can take the risk of casting me and Shah Rukh as siblings, who am I to cast doubts on that or any other score?

Are you at all apprehensive about playing Shah Rukh’s sibling?
No. In fact Shah Rukh and I kept laughing about it. He kept joking that I should have known I’d be playing a superstar’s sister. We just kept fooling around. But give us credit for at least daring to be siblings in our very first film together. What’s interesting is, the audiences will watch the characters, and forget the stars who’re playing them.

Are you happy with Josh?
It has turned out exactly the way Mansoor wanted it. I do like it. It’s different. It doesn’t go by the formula. But it’s a sweet film. I watched the film with my staff. They didn’t feel they were watching a Shah Rukh Khan or an Aishwarya Rai. Let’s see if the audience warms up to it, as well.

Why do you get into projects that seem to take forever to complete?
The only two projects of this nature I have are Josh and Albela. Both were produced by music companies Venus and Tips. I can’t really go into details about what took them so long. What I gauged was, both music companies had announced other huge ventures. Venus had Josh, Mela, Dhadkan and Badshah. Having started all these films together, the music company went about trying to complete the four films. Also, Mansoor was making positive changes to the script.

I like how you put that. Positive changes.
(Laughs). Obviously he was the mother of the baby. So he did whatever he thought was best for it. While Mansoor was working on his script, Venus proceeded to complete Mela and Badshah. Next they completed Josh.

Likewise with Tips. They had at least two other projects alongside Albela. Both Govinda and I are extremely busy. We still did our best for it. There’s no doubt that delays affect the overall impact of a film. But I guess the producer and director would know what to do best.

Another long delayed film of yours was revived and you were virtually blackmailed into giving dates for it?
I have done the best for that film also. But the artiste and the human being in me were in constant conflict. I have gone through the process of hearing things being said about me in the press and then seeing them being withdrawn and then turning those statements around. I didn’t react at any point in the media-bashing. But I’m only human. Putting aside my personal hurt, I have stood by the film along with all the other artistes because there’s so much at stake.

Did you take on more work than you could handle?
Did I? Or am I still doing that (laughs). Now I have incredible work coming my way. We are all working towards my doing these projects. It makes me smile with happiness when directors speak to each other so that I can work in all their films without dates clashing. There are so many interesting scripts I’ve heard. I’ll draw a list some other time. If I miss out any new project some people will take offence. They’ll wonder if I have had second thoughts about their film.

What about the long-delayed Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ki?
Well, Lateef Binny was completing it for the producer. But now I hear he’s no longer doing the film. We’re all there for Rahul Gupta to complete the project whenever he wants. As a professional I have to do my best. But it’s a little disorienting for an artiste when she has been narrated one script by Gulzar Saab and eventually another story is filmed. It seems everyone is withdrawing and washing their hands off the project. But I can’t do that. It would be really sad when the actors have to bear the consequence of a troubled project. Everyone should be equally part of the film.

What did upset me were the changes in the script when the original director Shashi(lal Nair) and Rahul Gupta fell apart. The producer was facing a lot of hardship. We actors felt sorry for him. We decided to support him. The children in the film were growing up and time was running out. I do understand the financial pressures of this industry. So we went along with the reconstruction of the story based on whatever footage was already canned. The cinematographer who had been with the project throughout, suddenly backed out in the second-to-last schedule. Everyone who joins the project is sweet and co-operative. We are trying to complete the project. But for a responsible artiste such experiences are unnerving.It scares me how professional artistes simply abandon a film when so much money is at stake. I never said no to Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke. I realise any irresponsible move by an artiste would have repercussions on the whole project.

Your support to a troubled project is exemplary.
But you know what scares me? Having gone through this rollercoaster ride, tomorrow, the movie could get sold with my blown-up face on the posters. God forbid, if the film doesn’t do well, all the brickbats will come my way. Thank God, I am now recognized as an actress. Had it not been so, people who saw me in the long-delayed film would dismiss me as a terrible actress. My audience and critics have given me the confidence to sail through the crisis points. Even when my worst films were released, I had Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal to fall back on. So my confidence was never dampened by the box-office verdict. Thankfully, the trend continues. I just hope people never think of me as a bad actress. The box-office is a fickle goddess. Some of the most beautifully made films never took off.

Was your recent injury a setback to your career?
Of course, it was a bad blow. But more than that it was a very interesting lesson in life. I’d never seen myself looking the way I did. It was a bit unnerving. I am only human. What was incredible was that the injury didn’t prompt me to hide at any time. I wanted to make one thing clear when I went on stage looking that way on the Filmfare Awards nite. Life will take its toll on all of us. We get injured, we get old. It’s really sad to try to run away from these harsh realities of life. I couldn’t hide from what happened to me. Looks are not everything. I am not going to look beautiful all the time.

While you have been busy shooting and collecting awards, your well wishers married you off to the hotmail guy Sabir Bhatia...
I heard about it while I was on an outdoor. With so many marriages happening in the industry, they just went on an on about a non-existent marriage. I’ve only met Sabir once. We were both judges at a Ms India contest some time ago. But then, I also met Zakir Husain, Anil Ambani, Karisma Kapoor, Urmila Matondkar and Sridevi at the same contest, didn’t I?

Well, they couldn’t link you with the last three.
(Laughs) I’ve met him just once. It’s so ridiculous. Besides that, there has been no contact with him. I cannot understand how, a year later, we’re married off with neither of us any the wiser. I mean we were just two members in a panel of judges. I’d read little snippets about whether there was some level of interest from the other party.

And his family denied it.
I don’t know what that was all about. I was called for an event by them to the United States once after the Ms India contest where we were both judges. But I couldn’t fit it into my schedule. My mother declined the offer to attend. And that was it. The next thing I knew there was a lot of media interest in the whole thing. Even the (Bhatia) family spoke about it. I thought that was ridiculous. The sister spoke, as did the father. The truth is, there was never any interest or talk about the matter from us. In fact, I’ve spoken more often to you than I have to that individual.

If only I were that lucky!
(Laughs).

Subhash K Jha