Interview With Amrita Rao

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canada87

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Posted: 19 years ago

BORN TO BE AN ACTRESS, FEELS AMRITA

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Amrita Rao is like a whiff of fresh air in an industry full of girls who are ready to shed their clothes at the slightest provocation! Whether it was her debut flick 'Ab Ke Baras' which was followed by 'The Legend Of Bhagat Singh' and then the highly successful 'Ishq Vishk', Amrita did not have to resort to body exposure to catch the audience's reaction. But don't let her petite frame and cute looks fool you! Hiding within is a strong willed woman who is determined to carve a niche for herself in Bollywood. What is even more praiseworthy about her is that she has got her priorities right for she says that, "Work is worship for me. I want to be an actress all my life. I feel I was born to be an actress." Smashits catches up with her on the sets of Indra Kumar's 'Masti'.

Some excerpts of her tete-e-tete:

Aren't you feeling like a star after the success of 'Ishq Vishk'?

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It felt nice being part of a film that became popular. But I don't think I have changed or developed any attitude. Even as a model I have worked with good ad filmmakers, endorsed the best of brands and traveled the world over. If I had to develop airs it would have happened long back. I always feel that I have not achieved anything. There is so much more to do. I think there are a lot of people in the industry who appreciate me the way I am. Gone are the days when people tolerated an actor's tantrums. These things don't get you anywhere.

Are you like Payal in real life?

So far, I relate to her the most. She has all the values that I would like to have. I think I am very much like her. A lot of fans tell me that the name Payal suits me more than Amrita. They have even suggested that I change my name.

Will you be comfortable exposing on screen?

I don't think I would be comfortable. I will not do it even if the script demands it. After 'Ishq Vishk', I got a lot of fan mail from guys telling me they like me the way I am. They also added that they would be very disappointed if I ever exposed in future and that I would lose my fan following.

How about dancing to Farah Khan's tune in 'Main Hoon Na'?

I have a good role in it. I am excited. People will find it to be a complete contrast to Payal of 'Ishq Vishq'. I remember getting a lot of fan mail after 'Ishq Vishq' with people saying that they hoped I could dance too. Being a choreographer, Farah has added a lot of dance sequences. So my fans will see me dancing in the film. I hope I surprise them pleasantly.

Are you comfortable with dancing?

Farah was very confident that I would dance well although I don't consider myself an extraordinary dancer. I give more importance to acting rather than to a good body or dancing. All this is masala and so much importance is given to it only in Hindi films. I want people to remember me for my acting talent.

You have already worked with some of the senior actors despite being a newcomer?

I am lucky to get these films at this stage of my career. The script of 'Main Hoon Na' is such that Zayed and me have all our scenes with Shah Rukh Khan. After working with Shah Rukh, I realized the powerful aura and charisma he has about him that has helped him be on top for 12 years. I have grown up watching his films and never thought I would be working with him some day. I consider myself lucky to be working with experienced and senior actors. It enhances my performance.

What prompted you to do a miniscule role in 'Deewar-Let's Bring Our Heroes Home'?

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I want to make my look as interesting as possible in every film. I am playing a Pakistani girl in 'Deewar'. It is a male dominated film. It's a good film and I want to be part of it. I have a small role but if people like me in it and remember me then I will be satisfied. The director, Milan Luthria, saw me in 'TLOBS' and was very keen that I do his film. It is also fun working opposite Akshaye Khanna. He's an excellent actor.

Haven't you also enjoyed seducing him in the romantic number?

It is a hot song but both Akshaye and I were freezing during the shoot. Besides the shower, there were five air blowers around us. And with 50 people looking on, the focus was on getting it right rather than how it felt to be so close to Akshaye. So it's not exactly like I had a ball shooting it.

Will you ever play a negative character?

I don't want to be slotted as the cute girl. Of course, I cannot start experimenting right now. Once people start recognizing me as a good actor then it would excite them to see me playing a variety of characters.

What are you doing in Masti?

It's a fun film. This is my first attempt at comedy so I'm excited about it. It is very satisfying to watch people laugh at your on-screen histrionics. I remember Ken, Shahid, and me sneaking into theatres to watch people's reactions to 'Ishq Vishq'.

Any unpleasant experiences here, so far?

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I have realized that there are different classes of people in the industry. I am dealing with the people who deal with big money and are thorough professionals. I don't think they would put their money at stake for a bit of pleasure. I have heard horror stories about Bollywood but always thought they were rumors until I came across some sleazy guys. I was on a shoot once and they were shooting somewhere close by. They told me how they could put me on to some unheard of filmmaker. That is when I realized how these types dupe innocent girls, who are desperate for a break in films. Of course, I just ignored them.