Sushmita Sen

Sushmita Sen may not be counted in top five actresses but definitely falls into the category of fine actors. Her charm, beauty and intelligence speak through her performance. Basanti is one of her brilliant performance, where she is plays a prostitute. Shedding her glamorous look to play Basanti in Chingari was not an easy task for Sushmita.

Tribute to my Goddess

When Kalpanji came to me she had a synopsis, rather an idea, which was there with her since long time. It's written by Bhupen Hazarika. I accepted this movie for some reasons. First of all I like the character of Basanti. Secondly, even before Kalpanji reached to the climax I agreed to do it and finally I feel this is not just a film for me but my tribute to my goddess Maa Kali. It's a film, not for me or for my career or displaying my acting abilities. It's a tribute to my goddess. It has Maa Kali and Maa Durga as intrinsic part in it. And so Chingari is not just a film but it's a tribute.

Basanti was a difficult task

As this movie reflects the rural lower calls of the society we shot the film at Satara, Wai and Panchagani. The more I thought about this character Basanti I found it far more difficult to play. Everything from her language, lifestyle and her profession of a prostitute looked so difficult. But when we reached there to shoot the movie, from day one till the last day, we never felt that we had to put much of an effort to make it. It was just love in the character and projecting it onscreen that helped us to get through. Such was the magic!

The emotions and feelings of woman are same in every class.

Journey from a girl to woman

This is a story of a woman and the emotions and feelings of woman are same in every class. I never thought the class I belong to or the character I am going to portray needs any homework for that. But because I was playing a prostitute, for that I had to keep aside some rules and factor. I feel that you cannot prepare yourself for this character because prostitution is a profession that you don't train for. My director Kalpanaji did the home work with help of her assistant. And I shaped my self into the character; rather I molded myself the ways she wanted. It was a journey from an innocent girl to a woman where I can't lie but with me. And to lie with your eyes is far more difficult. I learned it for the first time and I hope I pulled it off to that much of an extent. Being Sushmita Sen I have an intelligent mind and that shows in my eyes, so to act like a child was very difficult.

I feel that you cannot prepare yourself for this character because prostitution is a profession that you don't train for.

Speak through the heart

Ila Arun is a fantastic actress. She is playing the role of the madam of a brothel named Lal Batti. She is so talented in speaking languages, which helped me too. The language used in the movie is rural and quite difficult initially. I feel no language is difficult if you speak through the heart. It is difficult when you mug up the dialogues and speak. As an actor you should speak in your own style and that liberty was given by my director to me to speak in my style.

No one can beat Mithun da

As we all know Anuj is a new entrant to the industry, reflects lot of optimism, enthusiasm in him, is a very hardworking boy and childish as well. But you will like him in the film for the reason he was cast for which I must compliment my director Lajmi. She took him the way she wanted. It's a story of a small female child from her early stage of life to becoming a woman and continues till she turns out to be a Chingari. And when an actor holds the character, you find difficult to understand that difference. That's where you cannot beat Mithun Chakraborty. He is so good in the film and 300 times effective as an actor, I ever imagined him.

Mithun Chakraborthy is 300 times effective as an actor, I ever imagined him.

Chingari has a musical flow

The music is wonderfully done by Adesh Shrivastav. Four songs featured on me have their own value. They go with the storyline. The film is like poetry. It has a musical flow in it. Initially we thought why to keep music or songs. But then we realized that this is not exactly an art film alone, it has its commercial aspect and music is part of that commercial aspect. My favorite song is 'Dulhan Dulhan' which is beautifully sung by Vijayta Pandit and composed by Adesh Shrivastav. It's very special to me. It touched my heart. The ways she represents a prostitute's marriage is wonderful. Though the rituals are quite normal for a common girl, it means a lot to a prostitute. It's about how suddenly a prostitute becomes exclusive only for one man. I always like Sushmita Sen but the one character I like apart from myself is Basanti.

The ways she represents a prostitute's marriage is wonderful. Though the rituals are quite normal for a common girl, it means a lot to a prostitute. It's about how suddenly a prostitute becomes exclusive only for one man.

An exhausting movie

It was an emotionally and physically exhausting movie. I was tired. Because it's an intense and heavy film as it is bound to be. I had a wish that the film should be shorter and not to be very long. I have given an honest performance. What's to be seen now is how it touches the audience's hearts.

Director's vision

I have always been called as glamorous and that's how it stuck in mind. When Kalpanaji came to me, I thought why she would want me for this role? But when a director spots you, he or she shows that confidence to use that talent in you. And that is why she is a director and I am an actor. Every actor has a wish to play every kind of role. But that's followed by a fear of reaching to perfection. But when a director keeps faith on you and your abilities that fear is totally vanished. I remember the climax where you will not find me. She is no more Basanti and is totally possessed by Maa Kali or Durga. I have not done anything in that scene, but stood in front of the frame and whatever has happened has happened on its own. I cannot explain it. You have to see it. Chingari is one of my performances which will never be forgotten.

John Abraham jolting back

John Abraham has jolted back to normalcy after his short lived ill health, that definitely was a cause of worry for his beau Bipasha and also to his long list of fans all over the globe. Well we can assure that the bad phase is over and John is fit and fine and all charged with the big films tightly tied under his belt. He is left the good 2005 back and it looking optimistically to this year ahead of him.

Excerpts from the Interview:

How was the last year for you?

Well it has been a mix. The year started good and career wise it certainly went fine. There was so much appreciation pouring from all over for the work that I had done. And it was quite enjoying and cherishable. The year was very hectic for me and there were also tough situations. By the end my health gave away and I had to be hospitalized for a long time.

What are your expectations from this year?

I want this year to shape up better. Honestly I've been flooded with more than what I'm due. This year I would like to be more successful. Owing to my bad health I've been said to be cautious for the next 3-4 months. So I'm taking care of myself not to get relapse of typhoid. I'm keeping a check not to over work.

Has your illness affected your work?

When I fell ill, the shooting in Afghanistan was going on in full swing. But then I came to India. Owing to that we are eight days behind schedule for 'Kabul Express'. Almost I'm a month delayed for other projects. After I wrap up the shooting for this, I'll have to start with 'Babul'.

You're definitely looking charged and refreshed?

It is better to keep working then to lurk in home in bed. I'm having some major releases and I've to be at my best for them. Recently I've been to Pune, Chandigarh and Ahmedabad for the premiere of Zinda.

Are you happy with the way the film is doing for itself?

I'm a bit confused on that front as I'm getting mixed response about it. Though the film has limitations and I thought that it would cater to a specific audience it is encouraging to see that the film is getting good reviews from all counters. I'm getting appreciated and there is lots of praises are pouring in. I think I've worked better and doing well in my career.

Recently you've also been appreciated for Deepa Mehta's 'Water'.

It's a very good film and is worth garnering the response that it is getting. The film is doing very good in Canada and the people there are taken aback with the situations highlighted in the film. In our nation the film hasn't released yet and neither many have watched it. I'm very happy with the recognition that I've got in the overseas. It's very hard to catch attention abroad. And I'm lucky enough that I've been bestowed.

Are you doing her next film?

I've nodded for the project but the dates are yet to be finalized. She is talking with Amitabh Bachchan for the other role.

So are you bagging international assignments?

I've been receiving offers. However I'm not making any hue and cry about it. I've been going through them but have considered none so far. Until next year I won't be able to sign any due to my tight schedule.

What are the films that you are doing?

I'm doing Nikhil Advani's 'Salaam-e-Ishq' with Vidya Balan, Sriram Raghavan's comedy 'Happy Birthday' and another film with a new director Babar. Then there is one film under Yashraj Film. My next release will be 'Taxi 9211'.

What are the new endorsements you've bagged?

I only endorse products that suit my preference, sense and sensibility. Recently I signed as UN ambassador for drugs and crime. I'm handling the entire endorsement for Diet Pepsi in India.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA BOWLS OVER TV SHOW CONTESTANTS ...

Mumbai, (IANS) It was a special episode and "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005" couldn't have chosen a better star-judge - Priyanka Chopra.

"It was exhausting," conceded the stunning Priyanka, a singer in her own right, after joining the "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" team to record their Republic Day special.

"But it was worth my effort. I've been a 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' fan ever since I can remember. In fact my dad (who likes to sing) and I were on the Baap-Beti special of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'. So when I was invited to be on the show, I couldn't say no. I rushed from Delhi and went straight from the airport to the recording."

Priyanka had as much fun listening to the contestants as they had having her around.

While Hemachandra will be seen singing "Ae watan tere liye" from "Karma" and A.R. Rahman's
"Vande mataram", Debojit will croon "Ae mere pyare watan" from "Upkar" and Shankar Mahadevan's "Suno gaur se duniya walo".

Vinit stunned Priyanka with his rendering of "Zindagi maut na ban jaye" from the film "Sarfarosh" and "Kar chalen hum phida" from "Haqeeqat".
Himani and Nihira, who were part of the special episode, sang "Ae mere watan ke logon".

Said Priyanka: "They were all s-o-o g-o-o-d! I was supposed to select my favourite from the contestants. But I just couldn't bring myself to do so. I quietly wrote down one name and gave it to Gajendra Singh for future reference.

"I am surprised at the amount of singing talent in this country. Since I am fond of singing myself, I felt so happy being with these truly gifted boys and girls."

Incidentally, Priyanka has taken singing lessons.
"In fact," she confessed with a laugh. "I sang for 'Bluffmaster'. But I didn't like what I heard. So we finally dropped it. Maybe some day again."
As far as the boys and girls on "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" are concerned, they're willing to sing to Priyanka's tune any time.

Courtesy By Indo-Asian News Service

BACHCHAN - TABU TO STAR IN A LOVE STORY ...

Mumbai, (IANS) Amitabh Bachchan will pair with Tabu in a love story directed by adman R. Balakrishnan.

After going through a spectrum of roles with co-stars ranging from the 20-something Rani Mukherjee and the child Ayesha Kapoor in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Black" to Baby Rucha in "Ek Ajnabee", Bachchan is now all set to co-star with Tabu in a mature love story...........more

AAMIR: BOLLYWOOD'S MOST PATRIOTIC STAR ?

Mumbai, (IANS) Aamir Khan seems to be Bollywood's most patriotic star, having featured in "Sarfarosh", "Lagaan", "Mangal Pandey" and now "Rang De Basanti".

Be it fate, coincidence or intended approach, his last few releases were more or less based on patriotism, reports Bollywood Trade.

In "Sarfarosh", he played a sincere police officer who tries to wipe off drug-trafficking between India and Pakistan and in "Lagaan", he played a self-righteous villager in the pre-Independence era who meets British officers head-on. ........more

Corporate and Shikhar are two totally different films - Bipasha Basu

After playing completely contrast roles in No Entry and Apharan, Bipasha Basu is back in a whole new avatar in her latest movie Shikhar. So let's have a one on one talk with the sexy Bipasha, to know more about her role in the movie Shikhar......more

The secret of John's sex appeal

His attitude, hairstyle and his washboard abs have made John Abraham the latest youth icon and arguably one of the sexiest actors in India.
Let's sneak into his health routine and uncover his fitness mantra.
Asked what makes John possess the perfect physique, his trainer Khatib says: "John is blessed with a good physique. He possesses an athletic body. He used to play football and basketball during his school and college days. .......