Mesmerising effect lingers on Tabu

The homely-looks heroine Tabu is one of the foremost actresses of bollywood. Her entry into the film world had created ripples of a different kind. She won national award for her role in "Macchis" which was followed by president's award for film in "Chandni Bar". She believes in doing less number of films but only those that have quality. Excerpts from an interview:

Q. In close succession you received two awards. How do you feel about that?
Ans. I am on cloud nine still. It was a great experience to receive awards that too from the President of India. I think my hard work and talent have been recognised.

Q. Seems these awards helped you to regain your position, which was otherwise slipping down?
Ans. Yes, you are right. None of my films was a success from commercial angle. Though, I am still under the mesmerising effect of the awards I won but now I have moved ahead. I am not bogged down by success or failure of my movies. I accept the outcome what ever it may be.

Q. How about your new project, "Meenakshi: A tale of three cities"?
Ans. Meenakshi is not a monolithic movie. It depicts the perspective of an artist about life and desires. It is about the life of three girls whose role I play. These three characters represent a Rajasthani, a Chechkosalvakian and a Hyderabadi female. These three imaginative female characters are the part of flights of fancy of a painter. And this painter Mr M.F.Hessain happens to be the director of the movie.

Q. Contemporary heroines do art movies along with commercial ones, why not you?
Ans. Let me tell you that these days I am doing more commercial movies rather than art movies. One should do what one likes, criticism should not bother.

Q. Don't you think that you need to change your looks with passage of time?
Ans. In fact in none of my movies, I needed to change my looks. Did you ever feel that my looks are lacking in any of the films. I sign movies keeping in mind my looks.

Q. Is it true that Madhur Bhandrakar wanted to sign you for "Aan" but producer Firoz Nadiyawala thought Raveena to be better placed?
Ans. It is false. I had myself moved out of "Aan" because I did not have suitable dates free for shooting. I was shooting for Guddu Dhanoa's "Hawa". Madhur ji had big star list and he had to make a combination of suitable dates in consultation with every one. I was helpless because of "Hawa".

Q. Do accept that Raveena Tandon is a better artist?
Ans. I do not take things at a personal level. If producers think that they there is good heroine around, they have every right to sign her. I have seen so many ups and downs in life and now such small matters do not effect me.

Q. Many heroines who cross 30 switch to production line. What about you?
Ans. No sir. I am not interested in production, as I do not have any knowledge about it. I know I can act very well, so I would like to continue acting.

Q. There is talk going on about your affair with Mdhur Bhandrakar?
Ans. It is silly talk. We have not even met for over a year. I do not know how media creates such gossip. Had we been good friends even then I think affair could have been a possibility. But we are just good acquaintances nothing beyond that.