Desi girl

What response have you been got post the release of Desi Boyz?

The response has been good. It is encouraging when your performance is appreciated.

Desi Boyz has been touted as a male film. Werent you apprehensive about doing the film?

Not at all. My track talks about this guy who is so madly in love with my character that he would do anything to make their marriage happen. He loves her so much that he cannot afford to lose her. Moreover,at the end of the day,Desi Boyz is a fun and entertaining film.

Did you enjoy working on this film?

I had a great time. In fact,I have known Rohit (Dhawan) for many years. Akshay (Kumar) is someone with whom I am comfortable with as this is my third film with him. Though this is the first time I worked with John (Abraham),I have known him for a long time as we have met many times socially.

John is a thorough gentleman. He is very gracious. He is a very giving person,very warm and loves to make everyone on the sets very comfortable. We had a great time.

Though we had a lot of scenes in this film,I found it very difficult to act opposite Akshay because I am meant to dislike him. We cannot stand each other in the film. But in reality we are both very fond of each other. I really like him as a co-star. It was difficult to pretend that I hate him. On the one hand,we were joking and having a good time and the next minute,when the camera got rolling,I had to pretend and give him dirty looks.

Also,London is a city I am really really fond of as I have shot so many of my films there. Now I am very familiar with the city so it was fun shooting there as well.

Were you the victim of their pranks?

Fortunately,because I have worked with Akshay,I never had to face the consequences of any of the pranks that he pulled. In fact,I was part of all the pranks that he played on others. He would come to me and say,Come and see what I am going to do now. So I was on his side and not on the receiving end.(laughs)

How was it working with Rohit,a first-time director?

Although he is a debutante,Rohit knew his mind and what he was doing. He is extremely confident and sure of himself. That is half the battle won for a new director. When I met him,I was very impressed as he was visualing the shots. And of course,he is a great friend and that makes it even more special.

He is the son of a popular director. Have you seen any of David Dhawans films?

Yes,I have seen his fathers films. And I do not think it is right to compare him at this stage at least,because I would like to believe that Rohit is a mix of new and old. He is young. His sensibilities are young and modern and at the same desi himself,and being David Dhawans son,I think he knows how to balance the old and the new world.

It was said that Chitrangda Singh and you did not see eye to eye while shooting for the film.

That is not true. Actually,we had no interaction at all during the shoot as her track is completely different from mine. The only time we came together was during the climax of the film . That was the only day we met and worked together. It was only during the promotions of Desi Boyz that we actually got to know each other. Chitrangda is a very sweet girl and I have a lot of respect for her because to leave a husband and son behind and move to a city like Mumbai is quite a responsibility. I admire her a lot for that.

But when there are two actresses in a film,it is generally said that they can never get along well.

I cannot generalise or speak for other people. I also do not know about other peoples experience. All I can tell you is that I have never had an issue with anybody. I am very confident about myself and the kind of work that I want to do and what I want to achieve for myself. There is a lot of competition here and if done in the right spirit,competition is good and healthy. There is nothing to be worried about. There is space for everyone.

Are you not intimidated by actresses like Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif?

I have a long way to go before I get there. These girls have been here for eight or ten years and that is why they are at the top today. I was immediately thrown into that bracket after my first film (Om Shanti Om) but somewhere I feel that I am really new and have a lot more to learn. Of course,I am very ambitious. (laughs)

Desi Boyz is your second film this year after Aarakshan for which got rave reviews. Does this boost your ego?

For me,Aarakshan was a challenge,to do a character that,in the audiences mind,is less glamourous and not commercial. But I am glad that people appreciated my performance. Moreover,I got the opportunity to work with Amit ji.

I have never gone out of my way to prove that I can act. Like I said,I got that appreciation right from my first film Om Shanti Om followed by Love Aaj Kal. So I never felt the need to prove that I can act. Some films give you that platform and some films are written in a way where your performance is enhanced. But at the end of the day,I love and enjoy what I do.

What are you now looking forward to?

I am almost done shooting for Cocktail which is Homi Adajanias love story with Saif Ali Khan. I have also begun shooting for Race 2 and I start work on Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani with Ranbir Kapoor in January.

What is the status on Rana,your film with Rajinikanth?

I havent heard from the makers yet. So I dont know what is happening with that film.

namita.nivasexpressindia.com