There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to ponder if the decisions we made, have changed our lives for the better or worse. And you think, Tanisha is a person who would be riddled with such doubts, given her knack for making highly questionable decisions. When Kajol's sister announced her entry into Bollywood, naturally there was an intense curiosity, Tanisha could have had the makers virtually eating out of her palms just for the fact that she's a talent powerhouse's sister and comes from a family of celebrated actresses. Come on; how wrong could one go with those genes!
But Tanisha chose a medium scale, youthful film for a debut wanting to prove her own capabilities. 'Ssshhhh…' marked her presence, a rather unique and interesting one at that, on her debut. The subsequent lull was followed by, expectedly, a storm in the form of Yash Raj's 'Neal N' Nicky' where Tanisha dropped her inhibitions and a lot more, and played Nicky with such exuberance and utter lack of restrain, that she would have made Kajol proud.
The film acted as a catalyst in her transformation from a cute young one, to a sizzler. It also brought her close to her co-star Uday Chopra, and the two stayed together till very recently. But more importantly, the film also brought the in-your-face, go getting, celebrating her vices actress right in your face. The film however didn't go down well with the audiences, and Tanisha went back into her shell. Probably questioning her decisions after giving her all to the project.
She's back now though, and is raring to go. Katrina Kaif might not be a part of 'Sarkar 2', but Tanisha has been repeated in the sequel, she also has Kumar Mangat's 'One Two Three' to look forward to. She almost sprints upstairs to her living after her gym session in her swank South Mumbai building for our interview. Tanisha's in the same killer-body shape that she was in 'Neal N Nicky' and rumour has it that her strict regime even inspired Kajol to get her svelte self.
So why go into a hiding? When you got it, you flaunt it, right? "I don't think I have disappeared," she defends. "I am very much going to be in front of you. 'Neal N' Nicky' was a year and a half ago, and there were some really interesting offers after that but I was a little tentative about choosing them. Of course, after you have gone through something like 'Neal N' Nicky' you are a little unsure.
Now I have got a better understanding of the projects I want to do, and I am out there doing them." What's 'going through something like 'Neal N' Nicky''? "I mean, it was an all consuming film," she explains. "I'd really prepared for my role. If you see the transformation in me before and after the film…" After the film, we didn't see her at all, I say. "Very smart. But you know what I mean. A lot of myself went into the film. I did nothing else for three months," she says.
And after giving it her best, Tanisha did leave an impression after the film even if the film itself didn't, and it must have been an ideal time for her to sign on some projects and shift to the higher gear. Contrary to that, Tanisha went in reverse. Was it because she was covering her face and licking her wounds because the film didn't do well? "Should have, could have, would have. What's the point now?," she says abruptly.
"But I am ready to come back with a bang now," she's obviously a believer in looking forward and doesn't want me to take her back down the memory lane. She continues, "I am more aware today and know exactly the kind of films I want to be a part of." Coming from a family of actors, her brother-in-law being one of the top shot-calling actors in the industry, it's surprising that Tanisha wasn't till recently even sure of the films she wanted to do and would find it hard to find her bearings.
"Yes I have been a little hesitant in the past, but that's primarily because I was a little unsure of myself," she says frankly. "It had nothing to do with people around me. But I'd like to believe I'm in a good place right now. 'Sarkar 2' has shaped up really well, Ramu is a brilliant director." That's some positivity after Ramu's 'Aag', but as long as she believes it, we are all fine. Would she have more to do than what she did in 'Sarkar'?
" I certainly hope so," she laughs. "But the film has Mr. Bachchan, Abhishek and Ash, it's a good project to be a part of." Read what you may into that. But I'm reminded of the last time one saw Tanisha, at Abhi-Ash wedding, making an entry and exit with Uday Chopra. When half the industry didn't make it to the invites list,how did Tanisha manage to get on the "esteemed" guest list? Or shouldn't I ask? "I guess, I got invited because Abhishek's a friend," she says haltingly, "I wouldn't know really," she says not wanting to delve into the subject any further.
Being away from the spotlight for long time, was it the case of out of sight, out of mind for Tanisha? Or did she actually feel it worked for her because she managed to raise curiosity levels with the makers who once sought her? "I think it works both ways. I think people do start to think, 'Where the hell's she gone? If she is ever going to come back or not?'," she talks of the flip side.
" But it's not something I consciously did, it just happened. So I am okay with whatever reaction that gets. I didn't plan and take a backseat just as I don't plan to put myself out there either." Doesn't she think she needs to go out there and "market" herself, so to speak? "Yes, it's a part and parcel of the game," she admits. "And I am willing to do that, it's just that I'm being a little careful about my moves. That's it." You can see the difference in Tanisha today if you'd seen her 3 years ago when she entered films.
Then, Tich would exhaust herself talking nineteen to the dozen on the tape. The chatterbox is almost quiet, woman of few measured words today. "It would have to be the fact that I have grown up," she laughs. "Earlier I used to do and say things without caring about the consequences. With experience comes self-doubt and responsibility. Actually, I was always a shy person. But because I am in the industry where people expect you to be outgoing,I used to pretend to be one of them. Today, I don't because I've realized it was so unnatural to me. And people used to think it was my attitude.
But I've come into my own now as far as the industry and as far as myself is concerned. I am definitely a more confident person today," she says strongly. "I feel I am a good girl now. I have my vices, but all vices in moderation are allowed. I don't deny myself anything," she says cheekily.
Tanisha's been shooting for 'One Two Three' with Esha Deol, Tusshar and Upen Patel lately. The film's produced by brother-in-law Ajay Devgan's long time secretary and confidante turned producer Kumar Mangat… "Yes, Kumar Mangat is like family," she interrupts. "And that's the reason I am doing this film. I've done the film for him." And not for the script or her role?
"No, I've done the film only because of Kumarji," she says point blank. There will always be speculation about the films Tanisha does and if she got them through her family contacts, which seem to be plenty. Does that ever upset her? "No," she denies easily. "I see it happening with everybody in the industry. I don't see anybody not doing films with their family.
Even Hrithik is mostly doing films with his father. So I don't see it as something negative. It doesn't bother me." Does that mean we are going to see her in more Ajay Devgan productions? "You will have to wait and see. I have a lot of secrets to hide now," she says almost with child like glee.
Let's start with number one, then. Upen Patel? "What about him?," she feigns ignorance. You tell me, I say. Dating him? "To be really honest, no," she says thoughtfully. "I don't have time for a man in my life. I have three lovely women in my life right now, my mother, my sister and my niece Nysa.
I have NO man in my life, I want to make that very clear. I am very fulfilled with my life right now, so who needs a man? We've been brought up as strong independent women, and we can't be anything but that," she says confidently.
What would Tanisha choose to be, a Yash Raj heroine or Chopra daughter-in-law? After a long pause she says stressing on each word, "I would like to be a strong individual like my mother and my sister rather than be any of these characters." Couldn't she be that being either or both of the two? "I wouldn't know, I am very happy with the way the things are right now," she says.
Does he look back in remorse at her relationship with Uday Chopra? Please don't tell me you were just good friends, I beg. "This is the first time I am saying this," she builds a platform for her next statement. "Uday and I were seeing each other but things didn't work out. Why do couples split, because things don't go the way you think they should.
Now let's not get into details about that," she pleads this time. ButI do have to get into details. Especially when one's heard that Tanisha's cousin Rani had a role to play in the couple's split. In a strange twist of fate, the two cousins, who aren't exactly best of friends, would have been thrown into the same breathing space and household, since Rani's set to marry Aditya Chopra and Tanisha was set to go the distance with Uday.
After the Adi-Yash Chopra fallout, and the subsequent make-up, when Yash Chopra asked Adi to come back home, he reportedly said, 'Not without Rani', who in turn said, 'Not with Tanisha'. Rani put her foot down and said she wasn't willing to live in the same house if Tanisha eventually made it there, which seemed a distinct possibility as there were talks of Uday-Tanisha nuptials then. It was the family pressure that was the final straw in Uday-Tanisha relationship.
Her face is stern and serious as she says, "Rani has never affected my life, and she never will. To say that she is responsible for my split with Uday is ridiculous," she's obviously agitated with my questioning and it's better not ruffle her feathers any further. Let's talk about something positive. "Ya let's," she readily agrees "Because I'm feeling very positive these days," she laughs.
"I am looking at the glass half full rather than half empty. That's the way my mother's brought me up. It's about making things happen, rather than being somebody who cribs, 'Oh this is not happening'. I am going to make things happen," she says.
So has the positivity spread to her personal life also? Is she getting more male attention now that she's single again? "I get attention from men irrespective of the fact that I am single or not," she winks. "And I think it's very flattering at any point in time, even if you are with somebody." Doesn't she walk around with a 'Do Not Disturb' sign around her when she's with someone?
"Actually, I do have a DND sign up, not just when I am in a relationship, but most of the times," she admits. "I've been told that I come across as someone very intimidating towards men. And it's true to an extent. Some men do get intimidated by women who know what they want. I seem quite unapproachable, but I am not actually. But that's not an invitation for single eligible men for now; they can wait for some time. Right now, I am very happy being single," she concludes.
Source: Stardust
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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