'I didn't want to look like a heroine at the board meeting'
Harneet Singh
Posted online: Monday , February 18, 2008 at 1615 hrs
Twenty20 Indian Premier League was quite a surprise.
Well, for once, we were able to keep something discreet. We didn't want to let it out until all the details were chalked out. I've never prayed so hard in my life as I did on the day of the bidding.
But whose idea was it—yours or Ness Wadia's?
Actually, it was the BCCI's idea since they floated the tenders. Jokes apart, I've always wanted to start a sports school and I was looking for opportunities. Ness and I started talking about it and our friends Karan Paul of the Apeejay Surrendra Group and Mohit Burman of Dabur joined in. The boys were in it for the numbers but I was in it for the game. I think for anything to succeed you need a good intent and that's something we all have. Moreover, I've always been spontaneous in life. I always follow my heart and go after what I want. I wanted this and got it.
So are you happy about bagging Mohali?
Oh, I'm ecstatic. To be honest, we did bid for a lot of cities but Mohali is just so much cooler. I get players from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Chandigarh. Being an Army kid, I'm very patriotic and it gives me a great thrill to be living in Mumbai and having a truly national flavour in my team.
With the IPL comes huge responsibility. Are you geared up for that?
Oh, yes. This is my hard-earned money. I don't have the backing of any IPO. I've put in whatever I earned with my sweat and blood so we can't afford to go wrong. I also know that this is my chance of giving back to society. I hope to encourage more women players and give more opportunities to people who have been a victim of the quota system. Yes, I'm very nervous but I know that I'm supported by a good bunch. But I do joke that if this doesn't work and we lose money, I'll go and become the 58th wife of the Sultan of Brunei.
You really power-dressed for the day though. Was that conscious?
(Smiles) I didn't want to look like a heroine at the board meeting. I didn't want people to notice the colour of my dress. Each role requires a new wardrobe. I've learnt that lesson in my film career.
Personally, how big are you on cricket?
Ten years ago, when I started my career in films with Dil Se I had no idea about films but I learnt. Now I've taken on cricket and I'm sure I'll learn. I'm pretty bright. As for the cricketers, I'll be lying if I didn't say that Sachin Tendulkar was my absolute favourite. He's simply amazing and though he might not be in my team but in essence we are all Team India. I'm very happy with Yuvraj Singh as my captain. I love him more than anyone else.
The IPL announcement has also put to rest all those break-up rumours surrounding you and Ness. Good timing, eh?
What can I say? Either the media is getting us married or breaking us up. People should just relax. Sorry to inform everyone, but we are still seeing each other. If there are any changes, people will know. As it is, nothing about my life remains hidden for long.
On the work front, you seem to be heading for uncharted territory with unconventional films like Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear, Deepa Mehta's Heaven on Earth and Jahnu Barua's Har Pall. What brought that on?
I just needed to be re-inspired. I needed a new challenge and wanted to get nervous all over again. I got a bit tired of the commercial routine and wanted to take a different path so I took on these unconventional scripts. Now I'm ready to do some hardcore jhatka stuff again. So watch out.
Reports suggest that you got so depressed playing the battered wife in Heaven on Earth that you sought psychiatrist treatment.
I think the media has gone nuts. They just keep writing anything they want about me. It's true that I was very moved by the script of the film but not so much that I needed to visit a shrink.
http://www.screenindia.com/news/I-didnt-want-to-look-like-a- heroine-at-the-board-meeting/274343/
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