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'Please don't tell me that everybody became a star in this country because they slept around'
Sonal Sehgal on the casting couch and more... in a tete-a-tete with Roshni Olivera
Now that you are doing a movie, is it goodbye to television?
I'm an actor and acting is what I'm here for. The medium is not important. TV, movies, theatre... I want to do it all! I'm just careful that I do good work.
But your show Hotel Kingston is wrapping up... are you doing another show on TV?
Yes, in all probability Hotel Kingston is wrapping up. But I'm in no hurry to lap up another show. I'll wait until something good comes along.
Is it a disadvantage to be a household TV face and pursue a career in movies?
Yes, people are apprehensive to cast you. But then again, times are changing, and I am doing a lead role. So that is proof enough. A lot of meaningful cinema is coming up with the multiplex culture, and now the industry is looking for 'actors' who can deliver, rather than 'fresh faces' all the time.
Your debut film U, Bomsi n Me is a comedy. Wouldn't you have preferred a love story instead?
I couldn't have had a better debut than U, Bomsi n me. It is a very intelligent film. It deals with the problems that today's married couples have and the funny side to it. It's very real in terms of sets, costumes, dialogues, characters... and the humour is in the right places.
How tough is comedy?
I would say, yes, getting that comic timing right is the toughest. Comedy isn't a funny business.
What do you have to say about the casting couch problem that supposedly exists in TV and Bollywood?
I would only speak for myself. I have never had to face a casting couch or an indecent proposal. And please don't tell me that everybody became a star in this country because they slept around! How ridiculous is that! There are some dirty people in every industry, but that doesn't make the industry a dirty place. And anybody who thinks that by resorting to such means you can make it, let me tell you, you're not gonna go very far. Filmmaking is a serious business. If you don't have the talent and the looks, nobody is going to invest crores on you, just because they want to sleep with you. I mean, people, just do your Math before you fall for such propositions!
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I'm an actor and acting is what I'm here for. The medium is not important. TV, movies, theatre... I want to do it all! I'm just careful that I do good work.
But your show Hotel Kingston is wrapping up... are you doing another show on TV?
Yes, in all probability Hotel Kingston is wrapping up. But I'm in no hurry to lap up another show. I'll wait until something good comes along.
Is it a disadvantage to be a household TV face and pursue a career in movies?
Yes, people are apprehensive to cast you. But then again, times are changing, and I am doing a lead role. So that is proof enough. A lot of meaningful cinema is coming up with the multiplex culture, and now the industry is looking for 'actors' who can deliver, rather than 'fresh faces' all the time.
Your debut film U, Bomsi n Me is a comedy. Wouldn't you have preferred a love story instead?
I couldn't have had a better debut than U, Bomsi n me. It is a very intelligent film. It deals with the problems that today's married couples have and the funny side to it. It's very real in terms of sets, costumes, dialogues, characters... and the humour is in the right places.
How tough is comedy?
I would say, yes, getting that comic timing right is the toughest. Comedy isn't a funny business.
What do you have to say about the casting couch problem that supposedly exists in TV and Bollywood?
I would only speak for myself. I have never had to face a casting couch or an indecent proposal. And please don't tell me that everybody became a star in this country because they slept around! How ridiculous is that! There are some dirty people in every industry, but that doesn't make the industry a dirty place. And anybody who thinks that by resorting to such means you can make it, let me tell you, you're not gonna go very far. Filmmaking is a serious business. If you don't have the talent and the looks, nobody is going to invest crores on you, just because they want to sleep with you. I mean, people, just do your Math before you fall for such propositions!
..
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