Carry on Mahi

With her third Punjabi film Carry on Jatta set to release soon,actress Mahi Gill,who was in Chandigarh,goes down memory lane.

Written by Jaskiran Kapoor

July 18, 2012 02:39 AM IST

4 min read

With her third Punjabi film Carry on Jatta set to release soon,actress Mahi Gill,who was in Chandigarh,goes down memory lane.

Breathtaking beauties in chiffon,perfectly chiselled men in V-neck cardigans,tulip fields,snow-clad ranges of the Swiss Alps and the Punjabi paradise Mahi Gill was irrevocably in love with everything Yash Chopra brought alive on the silver screen. Chandigarh was a city of single screen cinemas back then and queuing up hours in advance to catch that historical first day,first show was a religion with her and her gang of girls. I was crazy about films and wouldnt miss any. We would pool in our money and line up for films. Being the cinema buff that I am0,I would make it a point to catch all films,especially Yash Chopras, says the actress,going down memory lane to recall the days when she was a fan who was in love with the poster boys of Bollywood and preened in front of the mirror for hours. I still remember watching Socha Na Tha and developing an instant liking for Abhay Deol. I had no clue that someone called Anurag Kashyap would cast me for a film called Dev D and that too opposite Abhay, smiles Gill,who says if there are any men she would want to romance on the silver screen,then its Aamir Khan,Hrithik Roshan and Abhay Deol. No one refuses Yash Chopra and Karan Johar either. I am waiting for the day when I am a heroine in their films, she says.

She was in Chandigarh to promote her third Punjabi film,Carry on Jatta. Its a mind-blowing romcom of an orphan girl who wants to marry an orphan boy. Featuring Gippy Grewal,a known name in the Punjabi film and music industry,the film has been directed by her friend Sameep Kang and will release soon. This is one of those films where I have indulged in looking glamorous and am doing all the singing and dancing drama, she adds. Its been five years since she changed her name from Rimpy to Mahi and stepped into Bollywood. It was tough initially,with her unconventional looks,no godfather or industry training,but Gill proved her mettle with films like Dev D,Gulaal,Dabangg,Not a Love Story and Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster. Today I have writers and directors penning roles exclusively for me, she says,adding that a bulk of female-oriented roles make way to her,those which are intense and bold.

While she thoroughly enjoys letting go and playing the part,somewhere,the role of the sexy leading lady allures her,and she says Apurva Lakhiyas Zanjeer will give her that platform. I am cutting the stereotype by playing this hot girl in Zanjeer and we have shot the film in Hindi and Telegu. I even do a cabaret in it, says Gill,who is also looking forward to the sequel of Sahib Biwi aur Gangster. Its going to be the baap of the first one and if all goes well then we will have a part three too, says she. Also slated to release later this year are Michael and Buddha in a Traffic Jam. In January she shoots for another hardcore commercial flick,Satish Kaushiks take on Mumbai in Mayanagri.

A rough divorce and a tough luck later,Gill is on cloud nine. She has shaped up for her current crop of films and is basking in the attention. When Kashyap offered me Dev D,a friend of mine said Rimpy doesnt suit you. You will be in Bollywood and together we chose the name Mahi, says she.

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Anurag Kashyap Yash Chopra