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Every industry kid at some point wants to be an actor, you never wanted to be?
I wanted to be everything but an actor. An astronaut, a tennis player, a bio technologist, all this nonsense without realising that my mathematics is so bad. The science college would look at me, and say Please go somewhere else.' Then I got into fashion designing. I sketched well so I said, Fine, why not try and hone this talent of mine' and I was really enjoying it and doing really well in college. I never really thought of it and I had put on so much of weight. I mean I was always a big child but during college, I put on even more weight. I used to eat Schezwan noodles for lunch every day without fail.
How do you stay so detached?
I guess there is a certain sense of attachment but that also depends on how important a part of your life it has been. I mean for a person whose dream it has been since a child to grow up to be an actress, she will obviously be more attached to it than anybody else. Someone like me who has not had that and has grown up in the middle of it, who has seen it growing up, that fascination is not there. Today if I want to, without batting an eyelid, I will leave the industry. Honestly, I don't care. I am enjoying my work, I like what I do right now. If I found something better tomrrow, I would leave acting. I am a Gemini. I will do anything, I am crazy.
But doesn't that get mistaken as being laidback or uninterested?
It could but I know in my heart, it's not that, so it's okay.
You don't care?
I stopped caring beyond a point. Earlier, it used to affect me because I was young, obviously. In fact, at 21, I started working, and at 23, my film released. Obviously, you are influenced by what people are talking about you and all that, but somewhere down the line, you learn that they will not stop no matter what you do. So you get wise.
True, but that learning comes to people very late in life.
Aa gaya to aacha hai. I think I am like my dad in terms of being and the way I think. Habits are not like him. (Grins) I am very punctual. Nowadays, nobody has the patience for unprofessionalism. In dad's time, everyone would work at their own pace, but now things are very streamlined.
Okay, rumour has it that you want to rap. True?
I would love to. But where?
I don't know. Considering singing? Given that it's the new thing.
I sang a verse in Tevar. Yeah, Imran Khan made me sing. We did the song called Let's Celebrate in Tevar and he came down and he said that there is one part the girl has to sing and he and I were planning who would. He said, You'. I said, What? I am not trained. At best, I am a bathroom singer. I don't think I am that good to do it professionally but decently.
You recently showed' your middle finger to someone who dissed your fashion sense.
That was for one superb pair of dungarees that I bought from Diesel. I wore it and they said some rubbish like It looks so bad'. Who are this fashion police who I must consult every time I step out from my house?
How seriously do you take fashion or what you wear?
Earlier, I used to not be so conscious, even though I came from a fashion school and all, I am a very jhalla person by nature. Like I prefer to wear loose, comfortable clothes. Comfort is of utmost importance to me. Somewhere down the line, I felt like there are people who look up to you. There are young girls who do emulate what you wear. So I said fine, I need to step it up a bit. So I did start doing that, but not to an extent where I go out only in designer brands. That's not the kind of impression I want to give to the youngsters. Everybody doesn't have that kind of money to spend. So now, I just take care of what I wear, but again, I have to be comfortable in it. If I am not comfortable, I won't wear it.
Most actresses were doing female-oriented roles. Don't you miss doing a film that revolves around you than just playing the heroine?
But I am the heroine! I don't want to do a female-oriented script just because everybody else is doing it. That's not a nice reason to take up something. I am doing the kind of films that I like to watch as an audience, and I think the box-office numbers will verify that fact, so yeah, it's fun.
Are you as happy doing an Action Jackson as you are doing a Lootera?
See, when I was doing Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore and Son Of Sardaar, somewhere in the middle, came a Lootera, which struck a chord, so I said, Yes I'll do it.' I really wanted to do it. So, unless something like that really happens, I don't want to do it simply because people are pressurising me.
But as an actor you are as happy doing this?
I am as happy doing commercial films because I love the singing and the dancing. Honestly, box-office numbers do matter, as the films reach out to a lot more people, and you entertain a lot more people.
Okay you have dates for this one film and you have two choices " a sureshot hit but a formula film, or different but a very risky film.
I will do a sureshot hit without blinking over a risky but different film.
You are very clear...
Yes, but that's the kind of cinema I enjoy it. I saw Happy New Year, and I laughed my guts out. I really enjoyed it. Before that, I liked Haider, I thought it was very well made and great performances. In the recent past, these are the two films.
Who would you call your friend in the industry?
Most of the people that I have worked with. And I have worked more than once with most heroes. So over a period of time, you can call them friends. But it's not like I'll pick up the phone everyday and talk to them. If I need to, they will always be there for me. I would call Salman a friend, Akshay, Arjun and Prabhu sir and everybody I have worked with, even Ajay for that matter. I know that he will have my back.
You have been linked with almost every actor you have worked with.
Actually, I haven't.
Salman, Akshay, Shahid and now Arjun. Have you wondered why?
Maybe because people need something to talk and write about. But the truth is, I have a great equation with all these guys that way, it's not like... You have seen me with most of them...
Yes, I have and I didn't notice any sparks.
I am there to work, so I'll work. I want it to be a happy atmosphere to work in, so you be good with everyone.
Okay, the Arjun rumours haven't stopped you from being seen with or his sister. Have you reached a point where you don't care?
(Pointing to a window) Open that window. Arjun's house is right there. How difficult is it to say, Hi neighbour, we are going for a movie. Let's go?'. I mean you know it's as simple as that. How much can you think of these things that, Oh we will be clicked together and all.' It's like, Come from this lane, pick me up' and we go to PVR, it's as easy as that. Why should I change that?
Given that you are friends with them all, do you have a favourite co-star?
I have. I really enjoy working with Akshay, with Shahid in R...Rajkumar and with Arjun in Tevar.
Who is closest to your personality?
Closest to my personality... Akshay Kumar. You know how many people have called me the female Akshay Kumar not only in terms of the work, but even the kind of work I do, the amount of work I do. And I agree and it's very weird. I was shooting for R...Rajkumar in Bangkok, Akshay was there shooting Boss. Twinkle, Akshay and I were all leaving together from there and Tina was telling Akshay, How can you wear a Pathani and leave the airport? Who steps out like that?' and I walked in with this dhoti pant, wearing a loose top. She looks at me and shakes her head and says, There is no point in saying anything.'
Okay, weighty issues. You started out explaining yourself and you have reached a point where you are defiant, right?
I am not defiant, this is who I am. It's been four years, and yes now, I don't give a damn. My audience accepts me as I am. If my weight was really an issue, I wouldn't have been where I am today. People would not want to watch me on screen, they would not pay money for the tickets, as simple as that. And anyway who has an issue? Not the directors who are signing me, not the producers who are putting their money on me, not the audience, so who?
What do the next five years look like to you?
I don't know about day after tomorrow, what will I know about the next five years. No plans, my life is unplanned, that's the beauty of it. I like being surprised by the next day. I like what life throws at me.
What about love? Missing being in a relationship?
I am in a good space right now and I always think these are things that you can't really force. When it has to happen, it will happen. These are the kind of things when you try and want them, they will never come to you. The minute you stop thinking, that's when it happens.
What is your kind of an ideal guy?
I do have a certain mould. He must be tall for sure. Very hard to find tall boys. He has to be intelligent. He should be able to hold a conversation with me, I think that is very attractive. The main and the biggest thing ever is that he has to make me laugh. I love to laugh. He has to have a great sense of humour and he has to just keep on making me laugh.
Anupamaa
Naagin 7
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