Ready for a Rerun

Three films in three years do not exactly make for an impressive resume in an industry as massive as Bollywood,but the 26-year-old has her reasons for the slow progress. “I was new to the Hindi film industry and I did not understand it. I did not know that one had to be on a signing spree to capitalise on the success. I needed time to adapt myself to the industry as well as the audiences,” says she.

Asin may be new to Bollywood,but she was a star in the South at 14. She knows that stardom comes to those who wait. And she is ready to wait. “I came here without a godfather,but my journey has been quite unique and satisfactory. I know no other way than working hard,” she says and lists out her basic criteria for signing films — script,character,director,producer banner and co-actors — which have remained constant over years.

Ready,a family entertainer,has the potential to be Asin’s big comeback. She is gung-ho over this film,and especially her co-star Salman. “He is really taken care of me during the film. I was unwell when we were shooting in Bangkok,but he made sure that I had my food and medicines on time,” states Asin. It was her first time with the Anees Bazmee crew and she was pleasantly surprised to see the unit having so much fun on the sets.

When Asin first came to Mumbai,she fell in love with its cosmopolitan character. “I have always liked Mumbai because it makes you very comfortable,” says the actress.

However,Bollywood was a totally different ballgame for her. “The entire ambience around it was so different. The industry is so big and there is too much attention and curiosity,which I am finally getting used to,” she says. But one thing she still cannot adjust to is the constant media glare. “It’s appalling how everyone calls you for scoops and links you up with just about everybody. This does not happen down South,” she says,adding,“The industry here has definitely taught me a lot of patience and tolerance.”

Is she also tolerant of her contemporaries in the industry? “I have made a lot of friends. I am on good terms with all my colleagues,” she says,refuting rumours of being a difficult worker in the industry. It is her attitude that is said to have cost her quite a few films including Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey and Force. “Let bygones be bygones,” she smiles,and confirms that she did not do Force because of date issues.

Asin currently has one more Hindi film,Sajid Khan’s Housefull 2,apart from offers from Tamil,Telugu and Malayalam filmmakers. Rumour has it that she is even donning a bikini in Housefull 2. “People love to speculate and let them continue to do so,” says Asin,who wants to pay equal attention to movies in different languages. “However,an ideal film to do would be a Hindi commercial film with a strong role for the woman lead,” she notes.