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This is an archive article published on April 23, 2009

Lucky Girl

Indeed. I now have Ram Gopal Varma’s Rann besides Jagmohan Mundhra’s Apartment,which I’m very kicked about.

Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! has proved to be a great platform for your career.
Indeed. I now have Ram Gopal Varma’s Rann besides Jagmohan Mundhra’s Apartment,which I’m very kicked about. While Rann has an enviable star cast — Amitabh Bachchan,Ritesh Deshmukh,Paresh Rawal — Jagmohan is a director who is as seeped into Hollywood as he is in Bollywood.

What are your characters like in Rann and Apartment?
I play a former model Yasmin Hussain in Rann. She doesn’t understand the intricacies of power games but she isn’t really innocent either. Apartment,on the other hand,revolves around me. A small town girl Neha,I come to Mumbai in search of an exciting life and interesting people. Instead,I find the city very materialistic. They’re both very intense characters.

You seem to have developed a penchant for such strong characters.
I think it has to do with my personality and inherent confidence. My background in sports may be the reason. Also,at every stage in my life,the rejection I faced has made me stronger.

In Rann,you are said to have replaced Raima Sen.
I’m not aware of any controversies so I suggest you speak to Ramu (Varma) regarding this.

RGV is known to be a tough taskmaster. Are you his latest protégée?
I’m merely an actress in an ensemble cast. I wouldn’t call him a tough taskmaster but he’s a fabulous director. I say that because he knows his subject very well and every character is clearly defined.

Would you say that you’ve had to struggle a lot or did it come at a comfortable pace?
I hate the word ‘struggle’. Nobody ever has it easy in this industry. Not even those who’re from Bollywood families. Star kids may get their first break on a platter but thereon,they have to work their way up.
I agree I had to put in more effort for a debut,but I’m not the only one. Garam Masala was a safe launch as it was a Priyadarshan film. I hardly socialise,and my work’s what has helped me get more work. My CV today has some of the industry’s best directors on it.

You’re from Bihar,a state where elections are intensely fought. What changes do you want to see this time?
Bihar needs icons. The state has a lot of talented people but,unfortunately,they hardly have any exposure. In an industry so huge,I’m possibly the first Bihari girl to have made it as an actress. It’s sad.

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Do you see yourself joining politics ever?
Yes,10 years from now.

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