Neha Dhupia isn't shying away from admitting that she made quite a few wrong choices in her five year
long career.
She has seen hits and flops at regular intervals but 2007 onwards; she is being
seen in a different light altogether. While she is doing Mithya with as much as ease as Singh Is Kinng,
soon after Dasvidaniya, she is appearing in Maharathi. A planned move?
"For me, the most important thing is the fact that I am enjoying it all. There are these so-called
commercial projects and then also the other kind of films that I am doing.
There is a very
definite line between the two. I am not undermining the 'masala' fare but seriously, films like Mithya,
Dasvidaniya and now Maharathi are made from the heart.
These are the kind of films that are
made for the love of cinema. I am enjoying being a part of both kinds of films", Neha says
happily.
So the balancing act would continue? "Pretty much so", Neha says promptly, "I have to feel good with
the kind of work I do and currently I am very happy.
However, let me clarify that not even for a
single minute am I saying no to big commercial cinema. After all, that's where I have my maximum
accessibility to audience.
These are the films that have maximum reach and more and more
people want to watch them since they wish to leave their worries back home. So yes, I would be seen in
all kinds of cinema."
She goes on to add, "Today when I sign a movie, I make sure that my role has to be good. Length is not
the deciding factor.
Also, I don't see a project as commercial or offbeat. I check whether there
is something about a project which is good. Something has to come out of it, whether cinematically or
commercially.
There should be at least one set of target audience where it is guaranteed to
work. This is why not you would see me either as a part of a good film or a good project."
The change doesn't seem sudden though. She would have certainly planned it all out while choosing the
distinct projects that she is seen in today?
Says Neha, "If you have to look ahead, you have to
see what you have left behind as well. It is plain and simple mathematics. I took two steps back to make
sure that I could take four steps forward."
And what made her do that? "Honestly, I was not enjoying the work I was doing at all. But no, let me not
say that I was being misguided.
Puhleeeze, they were my decisions and no one else was
responsible for the work that I did. Today, I can gladly look back and say that yes, I was facing a storm
but I braved it. I was making a few mistakes; I learnt from them and moved on."
The future looks good though, isn't it, what with 2009 also showcasing her in a variety of roles? "Yes, I
can confidently say that 2009 would be even better.
There are movies like Raat Gayi Baat Gayi
and I Am 24 which are completed and should release early 2009. Then I have also just completed Pappu
Can't Dance Saala which is another amazing film.
Raftaar with Emraan Hashmi is a film I am
looking forward to as this is commercial and yet so demanding as an actor. I would also be beginning
work on Priyadarshan's De Dana Dan with Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. So as you see, quite some
variety at play", smiles Neha.
Friday, December 05, 2008 11:53 IST