Amrita Rao: Don't compare me with a legend like Madhuri. I am just a beginner...
Every actress dreams of being a Barjatya heroine...
I consider my self immensely lucky to have got this opportunity so early in my career. The way Sooraj Barjatya presents his heroines is certainly different, there's an extra special touch to it. It's not like I have been presented glamorously, but even in his simplicity there's so much of beauty. Sooraj Barjatya is the King of simplicity and subtlety.
Madhuri and Kareena were portrayed glamorously in his films. Aren't you tired of being called the 'girl-next-door'...?
There might be ten such girls-next-door in your neighborhood, yet, each of them is different in their body language, thoughts and personality. Each time I have played a different girl-next-door, so I am not complaining.
Never thought of an image makeover...
I have not planned a whole lot of things, I have never objected to change, but such opportunities have to come my way. I am fortunate that so far I have done a variety of roles, and an image transformation did happen for me in Main Hoon Na . The way I am looking in Vivah , I don't think I have looked like this before in any of my films. I have been getting a whole lot of compliments for the way I am looking in the film, so there can't be a reason to complain.
You're one of the few girls who said a big 'No', to kissing, exposure and intimacy on-screen. Didn't you lose out on a lot of work..?
I never lost out on those roles because such roles never came my way. Directors probably knew what my reaction will be; hence I guess they didn't approach me with such subjects. If I am ever offered a role like that, then I will see what I am losing. There was a kissing scene in the script in Main Hoon Na, it was a sweet first kiss after the prom night kind of scene. Farah Khan told me to do it only if I was comfortable. I obviously wasn't, and she was very understanding. She didn't push me for it, even once.
Everyone's saying you've looking like a young Madhuri Dixit. Was it deliberate?
It's a huge compliment, but it's not deliberate at all. Madhuri played an urban girl, outgoing and full of life. On the contrary my image in the film is subdued, demure and very traditional. Madhuri Dixit is a legend; don't compare me with a legend. I am just a beginner; don't do that kind of injustice to Madhuri.
You're screen-chemistry with Shahid is only getting better. Doesn't that make Kareena Kapoor insecure...?
Kareena has always been very appreciative of our films together. It's a great quality to be able to appreciate other girls around you. I admire Kareena and look at her with a sense of pride. She belongs to the Kapoor khandaan, yet there's so much if simplicity🤣🤣 and humility🤣🤣 in her🤣. Whether it was Raj Kapoor or his rest of his kin, it's very rare to find that generation after generation so talented and beautiful ' that's what sets the Kapoors' apart. Karisma and Kareena are such lovely girls; they've taken the Kapoor lineage in the film industry ahead.
It's hard to make good friends in the industry. Right?
In fact it's quite the contrary. We spend so much of time shooting with each other that we end up becoming friends. We can't always spend quality time with each other, or party and socialize together, but where has that stopped people from being friends?
It's important to be seen and heard in this industry, but you're rarely spotted in the social circuit.
I know it's important to party and socialize, but at the end of the day that won't fetch me any work. I will get work on the basis of my previous good work, not the last party I attended. Whether it is a music release, or premiere, I only go to places I feel comfortable and welcome.
Do you believe in an arranged marriage?
Arrangedmarriage...why not? If I meet a man him through my parents, I like him, want to meet him, feel the urge to know him closely and eventually marry him ' I don't see anything wrong with such an arranged marriage. At least my generation knows what is an arranged marriage is. I was talking to a few kids the other day and I realized that the current generation isn't really aware of the concept of an arranged marriage.
One never hears of a man in your life. In the hiding?
He's not hiding anywhere. I haven't found him anywhere. After working in Vivah, I have started dreaming of the 'Prem' who probably will come in to my life someday. Ha, ha!
With most A-list actresses doing item numbers, have you ever considered giving it a shot?
Why not? Something like a 'Kajra Re'...couldn't be better than that. These dance numbers weren't alien to us; actors like Helenji and Binduji have done it beautifully before, only that now we call it an 'item number'. Songs like 'ishq kameena' and 'bidi jalai le' are so catchy and attractive. If Farah khan calls me to a special item number in her film I will do it definitely.
Current Affairs
Anupamaa
1