Mujhe English Nahi Aati: Kangana

By Subhash K Jha

The making of Shaka Laka Boom Boom hasn't been a very happy experience either for its director Suneel Darshan or his leading lady Kangana Ranaut

From Day 1, the two appeared to have a compatibility issue, culminating in what appeared to be an unresolvable face-off when Kangana's voice was dubbed in another voice which sounds suspiciously like the film's supporting actress Celina Jaitley!

"It does sound like Celina, that's what my sister and my best friend seem to think," laughs Kangana. "I've no clue who it is. All I know is, that isn't my voice with my face in the film."

Apparently the Gangster girl had a clue about what was in store only a week before release. "I hadn't dubbed my entire portion. When I kept asking Suneel-ji's production house about the remaining dubbing they wouldn't reply. Then I knew what was in store,"says Kangana.

But Suneel Darshan has another story to tell. "I don't do anything that's not contractually specified. And I certainly don't do anything underhand. Beyond that I don't wish to comment on Kangana and her dubbing at all."

Suneel does admits that the dubbing had to be done by another artiste. "I needed a particular twang and accent for Kangana's character. If she had given the film the time and attention that it deserved we'd have worked on her character's language. Alas, Kangana didn't think Shakala Laka Boom Boom was important enough."

Replies Kangana, "What can I do if I don't speak the King's or Queen's English? I am from a small town and proud of it. In fact I'm the most comfortable speaking in Hindi.

I am a Hindi actress and unlike some of my colleagues who need to write out their dialogues in the Roman script I write read and speak the rashtra bhasha very well. In fact at an awards function in Malaysia last week I gave my thank -you speech in Hindi which was much appreciated."

She says she's proud of the whole Shaka Laka Boom Boom experience. "If Suneel-ji thinks I didn't give the film the attention it deserved then I apologize to him. To me Shaka Laka is as precious as Gangster and WohLamhe and Metro that releases next."