Asin Thottumkal started her career at 14 and since then there has been no looking back. Today 14 years later and with 25 films in her kitty, the pretty actress feels that she has indeed come a long way. After pursuing what she desired the most, Asin has finally decided to take a break to concentrate on her personal life. As she gears up for the release of her 25th film 'All Is Well', we got in touch with the leggy lass for an exclusive interview where she gets candid about movies, marriage and more! Read on...
What made you sign up All Is Well?
'Khiladi 786' was my 24th film. Everyone wanted me to do a 25th film before taking a break. That's the time Umesh Shukla came to me with 'All is Well'. It was a clean, decent, family film which didn't require me to wear itsy-bitsy outfits and shake my booty or make out on screen. That was a rarity in Bollywood! Plus the best thing was that the producer, Mr Bhushan Kumar promised me that the film would be wrapped up quickly- in exactly 45 days! (Laughs) Who would have imagined that a 'quickie' would take this long!
How was it working with Abhishek Bachchan? He is known for playing pranks. Were you his victim at any time?
Abhishek is fun to work with. We already had a great equation going since 'Bol Bachchan'. He has never really played any 'pranks' on me. He doesn't do such planned tricks. He is just very jovial and peps everyone up on sets.
Rishi Kapoor and Supriya Pathak are senior actors. How was the experience to shoot with them?
Enjoyable and also very educational. Not because they sit you down and give you tips But by just observing them you get to learn so much. They are such fine actors and work with such great passion that its amazing to be sharing the same frame as them. My bond with Chintu uncle has strengthened thanks to this film and I have a developed a great rapport with Supriya ji too, again thanks to 'All is Well' which is the first time I am working with her.
The film got delayed by a good time. Almost 3 years. Did that hamper you?
Well, I did put my personal plans on hold till I finished this project that I had taken up. I was clear that I wanted to wrap up all my professional commitments before I get married. There were many instances of uncertainty regarding the shoot of the film during this entire period. But once you take something up, you stick by it till the end, no matter what. So that's what I did.
You have slowed down on your work. Was it your conscious decision?
Yes. I have been working since i was 14 yrs old and studying in the 9th standard. I have always maintained that I'm here because i enjoy it and the day I feel I don't, I would pack my bags. I never had any financial pressure on me. I did it because I enjoyed acting in films. You see, I'm not from here (North or Mumbai). I come from the southern most tip of India, from a small state called Kerala. Hindi isn't my mother tongue. I was born and brought up there and started working there. Then i made a shift to Mumbai and Hindi films which not many people have been fortunate enough to do. I'm a complete outsider. I don't have any Grandfather, Godfather or any satellite connection to the industry not even a star boyfriend. What I do have are several self imposed restrictions like:- no skimpy clothes, no bikini scenes, no kissing scenes (lip to lip) or love making scenes. With all this, it is infact miraculous that I have done the kind of projects that I have and worked with amazing people. So I am very happy and content with having come this far on my own merit and on my own terms.
But at the beginning of 2012, while I had 'Housefull 2', 'Bol Bachchan' and 'Khiladi 786' in hand, and already had two so called '100 crore blockbusters' behind me (Ghajini and Ready), I had decided to stop. The film scene wasn't satisfying me creatively. You need to be happy and excited about the work you are doing. I clearly wasn't. So why continue?
You are completing 14 years in the industry and All Is Well is your 25th film. How would you describe your journey?
Interesting. Educational. Exciting. As you can clearly make out, I haven't been very prolific. I have only chosen to work in films and with people I am comfortable and happy working with.
You recently declared your relationship. How excited are you to tie the knot?
As excited as any woman starting a new phase of her life would be.
Does Rahul fit in the list of things that you always wanted your husband to have?
Obviously YES! Otherwise why would i decide to marry him? (laughs) I always wanted a partner who was self made. Someone with integrity and strength of character. Simple, honest and down to earth. Rahul is all of those things and more.
When and where do you plan to tie the knot?
By the end of the year. I am sure you guys will get to know everything as and when it happens.
Do you wish to work in films post marriage too?
Never say never! But I am taking a break from films as of now.
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