A Parallel Life

Naval’s choice of films speak of her proclivity to realistic characters and situations. She makes her directorial debut with a story about the intertwining lives of an ageing prostitute,her wheelchair-bound child and a gay songwriter. In Bhindi Bazaar she plays the role of a neglected wife,and in Memories that of a bereaved mother who has to come to terms with not only her son’s death,but also the fact that he was gay. “This role appealed to me as the film tackles the issue of homosexuality in a mature way,” she says of Memories.

Memories,which released last Friday,has Naval playing a mother after long. “I have never wanted to play a mother on the Hindi screen. They all behave alike,” she laughs. “But after a scene in Shakti (2002),I have decided to keep my mind open. If I find a commercial film,which provides me with a role where I can show off my histrionics,then I will do it,” says the actor,seated in her neatly done up Versova pad.

Just like Naval,her terrace flat in Versova is simple,but unconventional — without any loud colours or ornate furniture. A bath tub converted into a centre table expresses her creativity,while the neatly labelled drawers in

the kitchen vouch for her meticulousness. A bare white wall in her living room is her favourite space in the house. It is here that her day ends,watching a movie. “I watch either an old Indian classic or world cinema. I just believe in the magic on screen. I get carried away,I laugh,I cry,” she says. “I hope this aspect of my life never changes,” she adds.

It was this passion for films that had prompted Naval to come back to India,from New York,almost 30 years ago. “When I came to Bombay in the ’80s,I found commercial cinema insipid. Gone were the days of Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt. Hence,I made a conscious decision of sticking to arthouse cinema,I was lucky to work with Sai Paranjpe,Gulzar,Hrishikesh Mukherjee and

Jagmohan Mundhra,” says Naval. This period saw her play a range of characters — from the peppy Miss Chamko of Chashme Buddoor to the meek Kamla. “I just went with the flow then. But today,when I look back,I feel I have worked in movies which are unforgettable,” she smiles.

But surviving in the city was a struggle for the actress as well as many of her co-stars. “We were living in constant penury. I started my career with a fee of Rs 6,000 for Junoon. When I later received a cheque of Rs 3 lakh,I thought I had arrived,” she laughs.

Over the years,Naval has developed other interests such as poetry and painting. “When I am not doing films,these keep me busy.” However,currently she is working on three other scripts. “Once my first film releases,these too will go on floors. I hope I get the funds soon,” she states.

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