Posted:
Amrita Rao tells AT in an exclusive interview, why an actor needs to connect to her audience
Amrita Rao's sweet voice encourages one to strike a chord with her for a 'chat' rather than a hurried interview . She throws no starry tantrums and answers questions with endearing patience.
Amrita, who's just returned after being India's Grand Marshall at the Festival of India Parade organised in San Jose, California, says, "It gave me a lot of pride celebrating the Indian Independence day in a foreign country and representing my country. Earlier Mr Bachchan, Urmila Matondkar and Mr Dev Anand had attended this event so I was really overwhelmed."
How has Vivaah helped the actress? "In Bollywood, all that matters is your last hit. There has not been a single release after Vivaah but I am waiting for the right roles." Contrary to popular misconception, Amrita has no intention of shifting base southwards, "For an actor, it is very important to connect with the audience .
I don't care if the audience belongs to the northern or southern part of India." Amrita is doing a Telegu film opposite Mahesh Babu where she again plays a college girl, bubbly and full of life.
But she doesn't want to be typecast in the same roles. "I know I can't be the sweet girl next door all my life. I am still waiting for roles that will give me more scope to explore my talent. And there is no full-proof formula to achieve this."
The actress has also bagged Shyam Benegal's next. "I am also doing a comedy Hook Ya Crook and Shortcut -The Con Is On, an Anil Kapoor production , and My name is Anthony Gonsalves."
And though Amrita did not have any godfathers in the industry , she is thankful to Gauri Khan and Ken Ghosh for having spotted her in coffee and chocolate advertisements, which led her to films.
So is she moving from commercial roles to alternative cinema? Would she be willing to take up a MF Husain production, considering she is his latest muse? "Oh! Is that the word spreading around? Well, Mr Husain's films are a great combination of art and cinema. And at 93, if he offers me a film I would definitely take it up," she laughs.
Amrita feels that, "A Vivaah happens once in many years, so I need to break into several moulds and that is possible only when I work in different genres of films. I would be comfortable working in a Hollywood film if I liked the subject."
Anupamaa
1