Hard Talk/ Tara Deshpande

My being in a commercial film has nothing to do with my writing skills. It8217;s not that my writing abilities have diminished because I have acted in a David Dhawan film. Besides, Indians who have a taste for good English literature are intelligent enough to differentiate my commitment as a writer and as an actress, be it commercial cinema or theatre. I have full faith in my readers. The response to my first book overwhelmed me, because I expected to be torn to shreds.

What exactly was the response? Didn8217;t it receive bad reviews?

Except for one review which was deliberately nasty, the rest were in the lines of constructive criticisism. I8217;ve had numerous mails from readers who have really appreciated the book and at the end of it all, that8217;s what matters. The best part was that, the readership included young people between the age group of 16 and 35, which was heartwarming, because, my book had opened up a new market. The publishers were extrememly happy.

That could also mean her writing wasn8217;t literary enough for a mature reader.

Well, the sales belie that. I just meant that the book had a young reader group apart from the normal readers.

And what is the new book all about?

It is a collection of verse and short stories, with love as its central theme. Not love stories, exactly, but love is a recurring theme, as a propeller of the plots.

And is this book also going to have a gala launch?

Yes, it is going to be launched in New York and London and followed by formal all-India releases in different cities, by the end of the year. This time, I8217;m looking for a publisher who is going to be good in terms of marketing, packaging as well as proof-reading.

Tara seems quite keen on aggressive marketing. Does that mean other careers will take a backseat?

Right now, I8217;m planning to concentrate on acting. At least for another couple of years after the book is launched. Around August, four films are going to be released and I8217;m busy shooting a few others. I8217;ll get back to writing when I can give my time to it.

But doesn8217;t good writing require constant exercise? A good writer can8217;t quot;get backquot; to writing. It8217;s a full-time passion for all we know.

That8217;s exactly why I8217;m not going to write now. I know my limitations as a writer. I have a lot to work on, which, I can only cultivate when I am relatively free of other commitments.

Lastly, why David Dhawan?

I think very highly of him. I think his films are a lot of fun. It8217;s not easy to get all the ingredients right to make people laugh. David Dhawan has mastered that. It8217;s been a great experience working with him. In fact, I don8217;t understand why people believe commercial films are a cakewalk. They aren8217;t. The hard work that goes into it is really worth every penny at the box office.

Since Tara seems determined to be a Jack of all trades, there must be something else she is working on right now?

Yes. I have translated a Marathi play, Aashi Pakhara Eeti by Vijay Tendulkar, into English and I8217;m staging this play under the banner of my theatre company, The Touring Theatre Company, sometime by the end of the year.