Wiindfall.

WINDFALL

Namita Nivas Tisca Chopra quit the film and TV scene only to return with Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par What was your reaction when you received a call from Aamir Khan's office? I was a bit surprised as I knew no one from the office nor had I ever met Aamir or Amole Gupte. But when they told me that they wanted to audition me, I put all I had into it. I did my best. The same evening I got a call from them confirming me for the role, that of the mother to the boy. How was it working with Aamir? An outstanding experience. The entire unit, down to the last man knew what scene was being shot, what was the shot, everything, at any given moment. The whole unit moved like a single person, such was the unity and co-ordination. I believe that it is Aamir's passion that got everyone so focussed. Are you, like many others, also saying that Aamir is a perfectionist? Somebody once asked me, "Why do you always take the hard road?" I asked them, "Why do you assume I see two roads?" Similarly, why do you assume that Aamir knows any other way to be? He does the best that he knows and that is for the world to see as outstanding cinema! Lesser-driven people may find it troublesome, but it is my honour and privilege to deliver whatever my director asks of me. It raises the bar for me and that I love! You play the mother to the kid. What was the experience like? Darsheel and Sachet, my two little boys in the film, are rascals, as little boys should be… I was cast last in the film and they bullied me for the first few days. They got together with Aamir and cheated and cheated at UNO. I lost every game. Till I caught on that they were all hiding cards. Then it was my turn…and I won't tell you what I did to turn the tables…Working with kids is simultaneously very hard as well as very liberating. They are on their own trip mostly but suddenly they will give a shot that will rip your heart out. So it is a roller coaster. Did you have to interact with other kids also in the film? Not really, my scenes were mainly with my family.

So what are your expectations from the film?
Whatever expectations I had are already fulfilled. I got to do this great piece of work. Anything else is a bonus!

You were last seen on TV in Sarrkkar. Aren't you doing any more shows?
Unfortunately I am not doing any TV serials at the moment. I may be hosting a new series that I am in talks with a channel about. Earlier how was your experience doing a negative role in Kahani Ghar Ghar Kii?
I had only played positive characters before Kahanii ...It was certainly a challenge to do the part of Mallika and honestly I couldn't do it well initially. Then with Sandip Sikand and Ekta's help, I really put my heart into it and it swung around and became a very popular character. Of your films, what is happening to Alibaug? What about other projects?
I am not doing Alibaug. I was supposed to, but had already committed to doing my series on Star News titled Main Hoon Na and Alibaug had a long schedule in Goa. I am doing Nandita's film In Such Times and a play. Besides this, I am working on a script with a friend, hopefully that will turn out well. I may be doing some more films. And I am keen to work with the best in cinema worldwide, so hopefully that should also happen. You turned to Buddhism some time back. Any particular reason?
I feel that we as a generation lack a firm guiding philosophy, a clear and wise way to live. Buddhism offers me that and it is one of the best decisions of my life!

How has it helped you evolve as a person?
I may not be the best person to answer this as those around one are often better judges of ones growth. Maybe you should ask someone who has known me long and well. Having said that I can tell you that I feel amazingly happy and free most of the time!

I think working with Aamir can really make a person famous- well no duh lol.