"I Find The Concept Of Marriage Unnatural"
What do you expect when you have a bubbly girl answering naughty questions? A whole lot of fun, right? That's exactly what Mona Wasu gives you – fun, in generous dollops. The actress, who made her presence felt in the television world as a carefree and adorable girl in Miilee, is just as talkative and affable in person too. Having done popular shows like Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi and Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao, she is now seen lighting up the small screen with her charm in Parichay Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka. But this time, it's not her shows that we, at Showtime, discuss with her. Instead, we discuss men, love, sex and all that jazz as we throw at her our usual volley of Hard Talk questions. And she answers them sportingly, peppering her replies with some giggles, some spunk and lots of spice.
Tell us about your first attraction.
I was in the seventh grade then and wore these thick glasses, two plaits and a skirt that went well below the knee! So I looked like a miniature female Harry Potter, but had a heart full of romance. My crush was a twelfth grade student. On the day of his farewell, I saw him going and realised that I couldn't let him go unless I talk to him once! I asked my friend to call out to him and she did. He stopped and turned, and guess what I said. Thanks to my North Indian upbringing, I said, "Bhaiyya, can I be friends with you?" Everyone laughed so hard that I never dared to even call the rickshaw drivers bhaiyya from then on. It was my first attraction and first heartbreak as well!
What was your first date like? How far would you go on a first date?
My first date was in school. We bunked a lecture and went to the canteen to have noodles. The boy was a basketball player, tall and handsome. We even held hands, but that was the only fun part of the date because he turned out to be too dumb. I remember him chewing on his gum constantly and asking me every five minutes, "Aur, kya ho raha hai?" I wanted to slap him then. Naturally, that story ended there itself. How far I'd go on a date completely depends on various factors. Generally, a first date is more of ice-breaking moments and enjoying each other's company. Going any further is okay only if you are dating Javier Bardem (laughs), but otherwise, I'd be more than glad to just feel a connect with the person.
What would you wear on a hot date?
That entirely depends on where we are going. I'd more or less dress casually with just one edgy accessory or shoes. I remember wearing Indian clothes particularly when I was dating an American. He was blown away by our Indian colours and prints. So in a way, it depends on the guy.
Would you call yourself a flirt?
Yes, I think I'm quite a flirt. It comes naturally to me, I enjoy it and so does everyone around.
What is your take on one-night stands?
I find the possibility of such an occurrence extremely bleak as it's rare that you get so close to someone so fast and that too, knowing that it's just for the night. Personally, I don't think it can happen to me but I don't find anything wrong with it conceptually.
Have you ever been attracted to someone of the same sex?
I've been extremely fond of some of my female friends and have been quite possessive at some point too. But I don't think that can be called attraction. However, I prefer watching women on FTV rather than men but that's because women are simply more beautiful and more of a pleasure to look at.
Has a girl ever hit on you?
Once and trust me, it was difficult to deal with it.
What are your takes on homosexuality and bisexuality?
Though I'm glad that Section 377 Decriminalization Act has happened, I think we're still a long way from accepting homosexuality as normal. It's only in the metros in India that the gay and lesbian community can be open about their sexuality. There are too many people who are homophobic and don't understand that a smaller community is not an abnormal community. I have a lot of gay friends and though we hang out together, I've seen them being the butt of jokes often. I think this everyday reminder of them being different is extremely traumatic. We need to be more sensitive and let people love whoever they want to.
What turns you on in a man?
A chiselled jaw, soulful eyes, a good perfume, clean finger nails, attitude and a whole lot of grey matter.
How would you react if a guy made a pass at you?
That completely depends on the guy and the way the pass is made.
What are your views on pre-marital sex?
I'm not against the institution of marriage but I'm still trying to understand how it has remained functional all over the world for so many centuries. I find the concept of marriage unnatural. It may be essential to maintain order in society but still is man-made. On the other hand, sex – marital or pre-marital is natural and I see nothing wrong in it, as long as one indulges in it responsibly.
Do you think men always have sex on their minds?
No, though I feel men are much more open, willing and sometimes, even desperate for sexual activities compared to women. That's because of the basic difference in the conditioning of both sexes.
How much importance would you give to sex in a relationship?
It's a very essential part of any relationship. Yet, I'd consider it secondary to love, as I feel that love can keep a relationship alive without sex, but it's not vice versa.
Do you see yourself in a purely physical relationship?
No, simply because it's unconceivable for me to engage in it. But I don't pass judgments on people who may be in such a relationship. There's nothing wrong to want to have sex with someone as long as it's consensual. However, I feel that such relationships, like having f*** buddies are only temporary outlets for sexual frustration and can't be gratifying in the long run.
As long as one is aware of that and is not fooling himself, it's fine.
Do you think nice guys have a tough time getting the right girl?
No, not at all.
Why do men love bitches?
I don't know how this term got coined but I feel men feel comfortable around women who don't always expect to be treated like Barbie dolls. Men make for better friends than women, if you don't shy away at every comment they make and be more of a person rather than the second sex with them. Now, I don't know if such women are called bitches.
Have you experienced the casting couch?
I've had men from the industry trying to make a pass at me but have never experienced the casting couch. I think it's as prevalent in our industry as it is in any other. In fact, I've heard more cases of a reverse casting couch – that of men being tied to couches till the demands are met! (laughs)
Showbiz entities are assumed to be loose. How would you react to such assumptions?
Naturally, this assumption is very popular amongst people who know nothing about showbiz. People from the performing art fraternity have always been the first to have eyebrows raised at them. Though it's a myth, I do feel that artistes are temperamentally more vulnerable and therefore become victims of their own artistic imagery.
Would you take back your partner who has strayed in a relationship if he regretted it later?
Although it completely depends on the intensity of the relationship and the nature of the man I'm dealing with, taking him back seems unlikely. Because even though it's easy for me to forgive, I find it difficult to forget. But I don't think a rare incidence of straying should be judged morally. It's a personal breach of trust and as long as there is no malice involved, it can be looked at neutrally. Having said that, I don't think I'll be able to continue being in the same relationship and that would be more out of ego than the pain caused by such an act.
What is your opinion on open marriages/ open relationships?
Open relationships are fine, but open marriages seem to be a paradox. Why be in a marriage if you want it to be open? This incertitude is the result of our muddled values stuck ambiguously between the East and the West. Personally, I don't think anybody has the right to decide or question the basis of how two individuals should be living together.
Tell us about your wildest fantasy.
My fantasies mostly involve a lot of travel. So it would definitely involve a lot of hot men to watch and have conversations with. I'd love to have a Vicky Cristina Barcelona number in my life. Of course, the details are too wild to talk about but you get the picture, right?
• By Eepsita Guha
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