The bra strap was my suggestion

Why do you say that?
Because Aishwarya plays an ordinary character.

Getting Ash to play an ordinary character is a challenge?
No, she plays an ordinary person, not a heroine in the traditional sense of the word.

Was it difficult convincing her to go sans make-up?
Ash and I share a wonderful rapport. She agrees with whatever I say.

She also put on weight for the role.
Yeah. We thought she should look like a mother. So we worked on a domesticated yet pretty look. The premise was that she should look like an ordinary small-town girl.

Was Ash okay about showing her bra strap?
If Shabana Azmi had done it, it would almost go unnoticed. But because it’s Ash, who is otherwise so prim and proper, everybody is talking about it. But when Ash was doing Raincoat, she wasn’t Ash Rai, she was just Niru. The bra strap was my suggestion. I wanted a particular cut of blouse and she agreed. Her undergarments, her petticoats and saris are quite ordinary. That’s what the role demanded. Ash was so involved in the film that she painstakingly blackened her hair every day.

What’s so special about that?
In Ash’s case, it’s very special. As a L’Oreal mascot, she has to have a certain palette of hair, but she changed it for Raincoat.

How do you rate Rai as an actress?
She’s very obedient and immensely capable of becoming a good actress. She’s willing to learn and experiment. This whole perception of Ash as a major global icon would be a hindrance to any actress. And I think she’s balancing it quite well with the multifaceted roles that she’s doing.

But doesn’t her global status help you market your films at festivals?
For Choker Bali, it helped. But sometimes it becomes a hindrance. People are too comfortable with Aishwarya Rai, so they take time to get used to Binodini. But that’s okay. If I was to cast Nelson Mandela or Imran Khan in my films, I would face the same problem.

Ash calls you one of her closest friends. Do you advise her?
We respect each other’s space and might not meet each other for months, but we are still close. I am a part of her family now. Even if Ash is not there, I call and chat with her mother, Vrinda. I do advise her off and on. We share personal moments, and are selflessly fond of each other.

How did you like her in Bride & Prejudice?
I haven’t seen the film but Shabana (Azmi) said that she’s very good. The last film of Ash that I saw was Chokher Bali. I haven’t even seen Kyun Ho Na Ho.

It was Kyun! Ho Gaya Na.
Oh, that’s what I meant. I really wanted to see this film because of Ash, Amitabh Bachchan and Vivek Oberoi, but I didn’t have the time. My mom’s health hasn’t been good.

Your films have a very strong woman’s point of view. Do you think like a woman?
I don’t know. I am not sure how to answer this.

Please try.
I am fascinated by the combination of strength and vulnerability that women possess. That doesn’t mean that men are not capable of it. But in common parlance, men are not perceived as vulnerable. You have to bring it out, whereas women are naturally vulnerable.

Why do actresses fight to work with you?
Maybe it’s because of the National Award thing. Everyone from Debashree, Rituparna, Kirron Kher and Rakhi has got one.

How did you manage to make Abhishek Bachchan sing in Antar Mahal?
Initially he was reluctant, but when we saw that he could do it, I convinced him. Jayadi (Bachchan) told me that I must make him sing. Abhishek was quite a sport. Actually the song is an extension of a dialogue, almost as if he’s humming to himself. There’s also acting involved in the song.

People say that you are an insider of the Bachchan family?
I do know them well. I call them Jayadi, Amitda and Abhishek. In fact, I wanted Abhishek to call me Ritu mama but he just calls me Ritu..