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In this month's release, Shoot Out At Lokhandwala, Amrita Singh plays a lower middle class Maharashtrian woman with an abusive tongue.
What's more, she plays mother to one of the gangsters in the film, played by Viveik Oberoi. Initially, she wasn't convinced about the part in director Apoorva Lakhia's film.
Over a hot cup of tea at her bungalow in Lokhand-wala, the actress lets on why she finally agreed to play the role.
How did Shoot Out at Lokhandwala happen?
Sanjay Gupta (the producer) sent me the script for one of the stories in Dus Kahaaniyan. Two days later, he called to say he'd prefer me to play Viveik Oberoi's mother in Shoot Out At Lokhandwala. I had no issues, because I believe an actor is determined by the age he/she portrays on screen.
Haven't I played a heroine opposite Vinod Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, who are my father's age? In fact, Bachchan and my father were in college together (pauses). Then came the hitch.
What was the hitch?
Gupta said he wanted me to play a rough, ambitious Maharashtrian 'aai' from a lower middle class family. I asked him, 'Do I look the part?' He replied, 'I see you in that.' I shot back, 'But I don't see myself in that role.'
Why couldn't you see yourself in that part?
I am used to Western clothes and high heels. I couldn't see myself in cotton sarees and rough hair. It was not just a deglamourised role, it was much more than that.
I had to speak with a Maharashtrian accent using a lot of crude language. I don't speak that way and I don't know Marathi.
And then?
The charmer, (director) Apoorva Lakhia, came home. He is an intelligent guy. He sold the story to me in a jiffy. I enjoyed working with Lakhia as he was crystal clear about everything.
He has treated the subject very well. He has brought out the interaction among all the characters and this was imperative in a multi-starrer.
Tell me about your role in Shootout.
My character is the motivating factor behind her son (Viveik as gangster Maya Dolas) going astray. If Maya Dolas became a criminal, it was because of his mother.
I even asked if she is alive and if I should go to see her, but they said, 'No. Stay out of that zone.' This mother hero-worships her son because he saved her from an abusive husband by killing him when he was only nine years old.
We heard you beat up some actor in the film?
Yeah! I have a scene where I beat up a machiwallah. It was not a cheat shot and I think I got into the character a little too much. I hurt his hands and face (smiles).
Lakhia called me up from the editing room and joked that he was grateful he wasn't in the machiwallah's place. All in all, I gelled very well with all the guys and I am very happy with the film.
You play an ambitious mother in Shoot Out. What kind of mother are you in real life?
I am not ambitious, for I wouldn't let my kids (Sara and Ibrahim) become terrorists when they grow up! (laughs)
What is your daily interaction with them like?
They leave for school by 7 am. If I've slept late after watching television till 2 am, which is often the case, I don't get up with them.
I have maids and they help get them ready, but my kids don't leave home before waking me up for few minutes to hear me saying, 'I love you.' I try to be home and have lunch with them when they return from school.
Then they go for tennis and swimming in the evening. Dinner is one meal that we always have together. I don't like to party and I usually am home in the evenings.
A little later, I read out stories to Ibrahim. Neither of my kids is into watching television much, so they are fast asleep by 9.30 pm.
Why don't you like to party?
I hate those same old questions that are thrown up at parties. And I don't drink. I'm an on-off drinker, actually.
I don't like the smell of alcohol and I shake a bit after consuming it. Why have something that doesn't agree with you?
How about doing TV after Kavyanjali?
I loved doing that show. Ekta Kapoor pampered me no end and I got away with a lot of things. She is a great boss, but I got tired doing TV. Now, I want to spend time with my kids.
Even with films, I don't prefer long outdoors and because of this I've lost out on a lot of work. But I don't need money now. Kavyanjali gave me a lot. I did that show because I wanted to keep myself busy since I was going through a tough period and was stressed out.
Are you in touch with Saif today?
We talk about things related to Sara and Ibrahim. If there is something urgent concerning the kids, we do talk.
Are Sara and Ibrahim in touch with Saif?
Yes. They go to him whenever they want. They go for all his trial shows and see his films before they have released.
I must say that he is a very good father. He loves them immensely. I will never interfere with that. It would be stupid to do that. It is imperative that kids have both parents in their lives.
Do you see Saif's films?
No. I don't see many films these days. I prefer watching English TV shows.
Do you think he is unlucky in love? Recently, he split with Rozza too.
He will be able to answer that better.
Is reconciliation possible between the two of you?
No.
Will you marry again?
Never. Why do I need a permanent man in my life now?
Will you fall in love again?
Yes, I will. I admire good things in life (smiles).
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