The kind of movies I do take tremendous preparation. Also, after a line-up
like Bhoot, Pinjar and Ek Hasina Thi, I didn’t want to get
into just anything. Acting is my biggest passion, but it’s not the be
all and end all of my life. And it’s always great to be missed.
But your latest release Naina is yet
another supernatural flick.
Yes, it is. But it’s unlike anything I have done before. I’ve never
repeated myself.
Be it Kaun, Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, Bhoot or
Ek Hasina Thi, you really use your eyes. Doesn’t that take a
toll?
I know, it’s really tough. I just try to remain focussed.
Did you experience anything supernatural
during shooting?
Well, I don’t know if you can call it that. But there is an underwater
sequence that was shot at the Action Studios in London. I had to remain
underwater for 20 seconds and I can’t swim to save my life. But somehow
I managed. Everybody around me was stunned.
How do you destress?
I never take work home. I watch movies, read, travel and go out with my
friends.
How do children react to you?
You’ll be surprised, but a lot of kids tell me they loved Bhoot. I
remember a 10-year-old child telling me ‘You really freaked me out,
especially the scene where you grabbed a dagger to stab Ajay Devgan’.
This proves what I learnt as a psychology student: Fear is a learnt
emotion.
Are you afraid of ghosts?
No, but if I sense that there’s someone behind a curtain, I check it
out.
What spooks you out?
Snakes and lizards. They are too creepy.
Do you think you’ve got your due as an
actor?
I think the media loves to label people and stars fall prey to that.
Excuse my honesty, but I don’t think that any other actress has gone to
the extent that I have. I’ve been more adventurous than anyone else.
Does it bother you?
It doesn’t anything me. I have never let awards or reviews govern my
career. Ours is a very creative industry, but sadly it’s governed by
fear and insecurity. I’m the only actress who has ventured beyond the
parameters of commercial cinema. People haven’t been able to digest
that, but I am happy in my space.
Do you agree with the industry’s view that
you give hits only with Ram Gopal Varma?
I think that kind of talk is baseless.
But he manages to get the best out of you.
Not only me. He also gets the best out of Rajpal Yadav, Amitabh Bachchan
and Fardeen Khan.
Which has been your best performance till
date?
I don’t know. How can I say? But it’s unfair to say that I perform
well in only Mr Varma’s films. I liked my role in Dillagi. It was
a good performance that didn’t get noticed.
Did you see Naach?
No.
You must have seen the promos.
Yeah, off and on. A little bit.
Did you feel Antara Mali looked a lot like
you, especially in the songs?
No comment.
Why aren’t you doing more films with The
Factory?
There are two projects in the pipeline. But I still have to decide.
That’ll take a while.
Don’t you miss your Chamma Chamma dance
sequences?
Oh, I am dying to do a song and a comedy. But I’m not getting anything
exciting. I hope someone will offer me something mad and comical.
Is it true that you are seeing a diamond
merchant?
That’s utter nonsense. Every six months, somebody starts a new rumour.
