So, even you have succumbed to the lure of television.
(Laughs) You could say that. Initially, I wasn’t keen on doing television because TV requires a lot of time and I thought it will deviate my attention from films. But Godrej wanted me to to host their show Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo as I am their brand ambassador for Ambipure. Also, I liked the concept of the game-show. Couples who participate in the show (not necessarily a married couple, it could be two people from a family) have to do some tasks within a limited timeframe. It is a activity-oriented show and there are no question-answer rounds. That is what makes it interesting.
How do the participants react to you?
Five minutes on the show and they realise that I am a down-to-earth, normal girl to whom they can easily relate. I take that as a huge compliment. People otherwise have this notion that I am not approachable, in fact this is the perception about stars in general. However, today, the media is so powerful that there is no mystery to a star. Everybody knows about your habits and flaws. But it’s nice to interact with people and get to know them intimately. Many of them tell me about their lives and their dreams. Since the grand prize of the show is a house, some of them want to know where I live, the kind of house I have, how my brother (Saif) looks in person and of course when I am getting married!
When are you getting married?
I don’t know. Let my older sibling get married first!
Your last film 99 has apparently done quite well.
(Cuts in) Yeah, it feels good. The film is quite funny. It’s a watchable action-comedy, but my role in the film is not that extensive. Kunal Khemu and the others have bigger roles.
Talking about Kunal Khemu, there are reports that you have split.
I don‘t want to comment on this.
Which is the film that you are looking forward to now?
Tum Mile will be my next release. It is based on the July 26 Mumbai floods. I was on the sets for 40 days drenched in water with 20 rain showers. It was physically challenging to shoot for the film. The kind of footage we have got is quite mad!
We’ve heard that you were also affected by the floods that day in 2005.
Yes, I was trapped on the busy SV Road. I had gone to town and was on my way back home. I walked for many hours, in fact I was almost swimming. I lost my slippers. A friend of mine saved me and took me to another friend’s house and I spent the night in Bandra. I was in the water for 12-13 hours, which was quite dirty and scary. I had to take a lot of injections then. I took antihistamines again during the shoot. Amongst others, there’s a scene where I am sitting in a water-filled car, though in reality, I was never in such a situation.
What is happening to Accident?
As you know, my co-actor Shiney Ahuja is in a bit of trouble, the director/producer will be meeting this weekend to take a call on it.
Would you comment on the Shiney Ahuja case?
All I can say is that like others, I am also shocked and I pray that he is not guilty.
Tell us about the English film you are doing with your mother Sharmila Tagore.
It’s a lovely British-English film. A family drama, it is about how three siblings cope with life when their mother passes away. The father’s role is being played by Girish Karnad. Om Puri also has a important role and there are other British actors.
Did you feel any pressure while acting with your mother?
No. She would hardly tell me anything during the crucial scenes we shot together. She realised that I must be a little tense. I felt great when at the end of the scene she told me she liked me. However, she does give some tips on hairstyling, costumes etc. She is a big perfectionist.
Are you fond of the hairstyles and make-up of her era?
Absolutely. I love the whole dressing of the ’60s - ’70s era. The bouffants, the coiffeurs, tight salwar kameez-es and the eyeliners. I think their style was very glamorous. Now, we don’t have the time to do all that. Life is fast-paced and I am relying on my natural pedigree (smiles).