2007 Interviews

“The chemistry between Shahid and Kareena is the best till now” - Amrita Rao By George Ignatius

Post Vivah she went down South only to create a furor with the Telugu film Athidi . But Amrita Rao is now back and busy in Bollywood where she truly belongs. Indiatimes Movies caught up with the actress who spoke about her forthcoming films and a whole lot more... Firstly how do you feel now that Athidi, your first film down South has turned out to be a huge success? People have really loved Mahesh Babu and my chemistry together. And the film too has turned out to be a huge hit. In fact first day collections for Athidi were six and a half crores which if people don’t know is a record breaking figure. Athidi is competing with Sivaji right now. What more can I say? Will we see you doing more films down South then? No. I think my soul belongs to Bollywood. Telugu cinema is something I did because I wanted a different experience as an actress. Especially post Vivah , I was liked by audiences in the North to a large extent. So I feel it was time for me to find a place in the hearts of audiences in the South as well. I think the project has to have that much of value for me to give 60 to 70 days for exclusive shoots. My focus is Bollywood and since I have already worked with the best actor in the form of Mahesh Babu and the best director my next step would certainly be very critical. So I would like to go easy and give it some time. You worked in close quarters with Mahesh Babu. How was the experience? Mahesh is such a brilliant actor. In fact I was so impressed the first time I worked with him. He has this magnetic screen presence so similar to Shah Rukh Khan and I told him that he needed to be in Bollywood and not in the South. But I guess Andhra needs him because he is special to them. What qualities do you find similar between Shah Rukh and Mahesh Babu? Actually if you would ask me I would say that he reminded me a little bit of Hrithik when it came to the kind of input he put into the product and the kind of energy, enthusiasm and professionalism he embodied. And what he reminded me of Shah Rukh was the habit of giving a one take for a particular shot and making the other actor as comfortable as he could. Mahesh actually helps his co-actors to perform better which happens when you work with SRK as well. Coming back home to Bollywood, how is My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves shaping up? Well, we have just completed shooting for the last song. It is shaping up very well and it’s a very cute sweet film. One of the songs has been shot in Goa where we have been for the last four days. There is another song as well titled Tere Bina which has been choreographed really well. I play an assistant director in My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves and it is going to be my next release after Vivah . So I am looking forward to that film. You worked with Nikhil Dwivedi in My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves where he was a newcomer and you the experienced actor. Compare this to Main Hoon Na where roles were reversed and Shah Rukh Khan was your guide then. Did you feel it in this film? Well, Nikhil is very confident as an actor and as a person too. And that is a great quality to have. So I did not have to really go out of my way to tell him what to do. He pretty much had a clear idea of what he wanted and he played the role of Anthony extremely well. What I could advise him from my share of experience was the fact to focus on your job and to never lose it. Because it is so important not to get distracted on the sets when people are looking at you expecting you to perform an emotional scene within two seconds in a jiffy. And this was what Shah Rukh had taught me that focus should never be compromised because one can get used to the work routine at times. That is something I realized much later when I was about ten films old. One does not realize that when you are a newcomer and all enthusiastic about everything and show the world what you can do. So that is something that I shared with Nikhil. How was Nikhil to work as a co-star? Nikhil was nice, very talkative. As I have mentioned it before I think he read the character of Anthony very well and I admire the kind of confidence he shows because very few debutants are as assured of themselves like he is. Newcomers are the ones who are usually asking a lot of questions and a bit confused about things but Nikhil was not. I was like wow and wish I could be like him. And how was it working with a director like E Niwas? I think he has a lighter side to him that not many know of. He is now doing a film called De Taali which is supposed to be a romantic comedy. Also My Name Is Anthony too is a movie that will have a palate of all kinds of emotions and it is going to be a perfect launch for a hero. What I like about him as a director is that he is definite about what he wants from me. There are no confusions or any kind of doubts with him. He wanted me to behave and act in a typical manner and he is the kind of director who would want his heroine to do what he has imagined. So I completely left it to him and whenever I had questions he had all the right answers with him. That is something I look for in my directors and he had his creative inputs too when it mattered. So it was great to work with someone like him. Mithunda too plays the role of a priest in the film. Did you have any scenes with him? Oh Yes, I did and he is superb. He has a great aura around him and he has come back with a bang according to me. I think he should have never taken a break from films because we need fantastic actors like him because he added so much of value to the film as a whole. What about your film with Shyam Benegal? What is happening on that front? Yes I am working with Shyam Benegal this year and I am really really pepped up about it. I always wanted to work with someone like Mr. Benegal. He was at the top of the director’s wish list that I had. So for me it was a matter of that one phone call from him. I am having a great time working with Shyamji. The film is a satirical comedy and right now I can’t reveal too much because work on the film has just begun. But yes it is a character driven film and we have to speak a certain dialect from the North in the movie which I can’t reveal. But besides all of it, working with Shamji was a huge high and I am trying to put in my hundred percent for the film. Amrita, you’ve done an item number in Sajid Khan’s Heyy Babyy. But isn’t it too insignificant for an actress of your caliber to make just a special appearance? Most of the times that we actresses do a guest appearance it is because of the rapport that we share with and it is mostly done for fun and for being with your friends. It doesn’t really matter whether you are dusting the floor in the sequence for the song or dancing in it. Sajid called me and said that this particular song has all the actresses who are dear to him and Farah was choreographing it. So when someone calls you in that way you respect that gesture and I had a great time. But what I really missed was being a part of that song in Om Shanti Om where Farah would call me every time. I missed it because I was shooting for Athidi in Austria. Farah also wanted me to appear with Shah Rukh in the end as well which again I missed because out of India at that time. So although I am not there physically in Om Shanti Om but I wish her all the best for the film. So what are your reactions to your dear friend Shahid Kapoor’s film Jab We Met and what do you think of Shahid and Kareena’s chemistry since word is that they have never looked so good before onscreen? I saw the film and I thought that it was brilliantly made. Imtiaz Ali is one of the directors who puts his heart and soul into a film and he reminded me of how Ken Ghosh had extracted those performances out of Shahid and me in Ishq Vishq . Imtiaz is a very sensitive and a very fine director and he surely has a long way to go ahead. I am sure Jab We Met will be a roaring success and it is a wonderful film. One comes out of the theatre feeling good about something. And Of course, the chemistry between Shahid and Kareena is the best till now. No doubt about that. So are you more eager to watch Farah’s Om Shanti Om or Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya this Diwali? It’s difficult to say because Farah is such a brilliant director to work with and so is Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Both are big names and are extremely creative individuals and neither of them leave any stone unturned in their efforts to make the best film. They are thorough professionals so I think it is going to be great and we should all rejoice that we have two big films to watch out for. Which are your other forthcoming projects that we can look forward to? There is Anil Kapoor’s Shortcut . Also a film with Harman Baweja that has to do with cricket but nothing has been confirmed. So all I can say right now is that I am looking forward to these couple of films for the time being.

I love working with Shahid: Amrita Rao

After establishing herself firmly in the hearts of her North Indian fans with her film, 'Vivaah', Amrita Rao is preparing to win over the South Indian audience with her Telegu film, 'Atithi'. Acting in a Marathi film is the top entry in her wishlist. We catch up with the petite actor. Q. Now that you have been in the industry for five years, why did you suddenly feel the need to do a Telegu film? A. I come from a non-filmy background. When I first set foot into this industry, there were a few offers from the South, but since Bollywood was my first priority, I had to reject them. One gets only one single chance to prove himself in this industry, and that is why I though that I would think of regional films later. This film offer came to me after 'Vivaah', and I thought it was a good time for me to get into regional movies. Q. Was there any particular reason that 'Atithi' appealed to you so much? A. Telegu films are very hero-oriented. The heroine only gets to dance and sing. This film, however, has a strong role for the heroine. I get to work with the Padmalaya banner, and I have Telegu superstar Mahesh Babu as my co -star. My other co-stars are a dream cast, and they add so much to the movie. I get to do all the things that a hero usually does in these films. All these factors made me sign the movie. Q. Tell us something about your role in this movie. A. I play a bubbly college girl. She brings fantasy into her life, making it real. In the beginning of the film, you will see me in a 'Matrix' action sequence. I also get to enact some comedy scenes with comedians Brahmanandam, Sunil and Venu Madhav, three of the best comedians in the South film industry. My character undergoes a complete makeover towards the end of the movie. I consider myself very lucky to have bagged such a multi- faceted role. Q. This is your first Telegu film. Any problems? A. So many. Language, of course, was the first one. I was missing the flavour of the script, and that affected my performance. So I started writing the words in Hindi, with the meanings. I worked much harder than I did for my Hindi films, and it did me a lot of good. I now understand the language much better. Q. Does that mean that your fans will see you in more Telegu films after this one? A. I cannot make a decision right now. In this film, we spent six and a half crores on the first day itself. It is a big- budget film, and to be a part of such a film, I have to tread cautiously. And Bollywood will always be my first preference, and I have to make time for that as well. Q. What was working with Mahesh Babu like? A. He is such a passionate and talented actor that words fail me. When you share screen space with him, you are motivated to do something that will make you look good, if not as good as him. He reminded me of Shah Rukh Khan. Like SRK, Mahesh Babu's first shot is almost always an okay take, without the need for a second take. I really appreciate the fact that Mahesh Babu took time out to help me with my role. He told me that my character in the movie has many shades and that I should pay careful attention to details. Q. If, in the future, you get movie offers from the South that really appeal to you, how do you think you will balance your life between Bollywood and the South? A. At present, I don't think I will be able to commit that kind of time to a South film. I am tied up for the next six months at least, with some Bollywood films. I may be offered some more good Bollywood projects during this time. I don't want to miss out on any good projects because of my regional movies. I had made a place for myself in the hearts of the people of the north after 'Vivaah'. I am trying to do the same with the people of the south. However, I don't think I can continue shooting both places. Q. What about the west and the east audience? What if you get an offer for a Marathi film? A. If I get a chance to act in a Marathi film, I will consider it my good fortune. I was recently shooting with Shreyas Talpade, and I spoke with him in Marathi throughout – I am pretty fluent in both Marathi and Konkani. Marathi cinema has a lot of talent, and it is unfortunate that not too many good movies are made these days. I watched 'Bindaast', and I don't think there have been any seeable movies after that. Q. You always seem to play the girl next door. Do you want to change this image? A. I don't think there is a need for me to change this image. I have always done whatever has been asked of me, and I have been lucky to have worked under some good banners. And every role has been different from the previous one. I think variety is essential for an actor's survival. One should always surprise the audience. Q. After SRK-Kajol, the Shahid-Amrita pair is much talked about. Are you doing any more projects with Shahid Kapur in the near future? A. No such plans at present, but I love working with him. After 'Vivaah', both of us decided that we would do more movies like that, and better ones. We are waiting for the right project to come along – the Shahid-Amrita pair is a commercial success, so we have to be choosy. Q. Tell us about your forthcoming films. A. After 'Vivaah', my next film is 'My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves', about which I am very excited. At present, I am shooting a song sequence for this movie, in Goa. The climax will be shot after this. The movie will release in January. It is a complete film, with the right amounts of romance, comedy, action and drama – great for a newcomer like me. My co-stars include newcomer Nikhil Dwivedi, Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher and Lillette Dubey. Then there is 'Shortcut', and I will always be grateful to Anil Kapoor for giving me a chance to act in this wonderful movie. My co-stars are Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi, and I hope to act as well as them. This is a story-oriented movie, and Arshad has the best role amongst us. I have a feeling that he will be as popular as he was with his role of Circuit. Then there is 'Hook Ya Crook', a UTV film that has yet to go on floor.

Southward Ho! By Namita Nivas

Amrita Rao’s first south sojourn has hit the bullseye and Athithi is raking in the moolah What was it about Athithi that prompted you to act in it? I have been getting offers from the South since the beginning of my career, the reason being my surname. People there think I am an Andhraite since Rao is my next name. I must clarify that I am from Karnataka. Anyways, since the time I came into acting, I have never found time to do anything else but Hindi films. It may sound clichéd but I have always been very selective where work was concerned. This year, fortunately, I had some time on hand and when this offer came to me I took it up. What did it have to offer you? Lots. I was very impressed with what was narrated to me. Mahesh Babu is a super duper hero in Andhra. Besides, Padmalaya is one of the senior-most and prestigious banner there. What impressed me was the fact that when films made there are mostly male-dominated, Athithi gave equal footage to the lead pair. In this love story, I play a college-going girl who is vivacious. There are layers to her character and there were various emotions that I got to portray. The climax is amazing as there is a transformation in my character thus giving me the scope to perform something very diverse. I even got to do a Matrix like sequence. The songs of the film are already a rage there. I am very glad that I chose to be a part of the film where I feel I have given my best. So you are happy with your decision of doing a South film. Yes. Because my first attempt itself has fetched very good collections at the box-office. The day Athithi released, on October 19, it collected Rs 6.5 crores in Andhra alone thus breaking the previous record of Mahesh Babu’s superhit film Pokkiri. In the last seven days since, collections have soared up remarkably. The film is a rage. Tickets, I hear, are not available at theatres where the film is running abroad. I am glad that quality works. Also I am happy that patience pays off. I waited for the right opportunity to come my way and now I will not settle for anything less. What about the director? Surender Reddy is one of the best and the most sought after directors amongst the newer lot. He was Mahesh Babu’s choice like I was. Did you get any kind of help from Mahesh Babu considering the language was alien to you? Of course, he did. He is an extra-ordinary actor. I was so impressed that I told him, ‘why don’t you come to Bollywood? You deserve to be there.’ Let me tell you, he is as good as Hrithik Roshan; looks-wise, his personality, dedication, dance, everything. He is the best there. The whole of Andhra is proud of him and I say this as I have witnessed it myself. And how is that? Since my shooting for Shyam Benegal’s Hindi film coincided with the release of Athithi in Hyderabad, all of us decided to watch the film in a theatre and gauge the reaction. The response was astonishing. It was a rare treat to the eyes. People were celebrating by throwing confetti on the screen. Didn’t they recognise the stars who were in their midst? Of course they did. They worship Mahesh a lot. You must have never faced this kind of adulation in Mumbai. While my Vivaah gave me the chance to reach out to people in the North as well as the international circuit, Athithi has made me a star in the South. Does that mean you are now ready to take the South arena by storm? (Laughs) I don’t know about that but I can surely say that there is a comfort level now. I am more relaxed when it comes to acting here. South industry is known for its discipline and punctuality. How comfortable were you in that scenario? I did not find any major difference though I was taken aback on the first day, for the first shot when we were asked to be on the sets at 8 am. I almost died but soon I got used to it. Did you ever get to meet Mahesh’s wife while working on the film? Namrata Shirodkar was a great help when it came to my styling and look in the film. Tell us about your experience doing a Shyam Benegal’s film? I feel honoured that I am a part of Shyambabu’s film and that I shall now be considered with big names like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Mine is a character-driven role in the film and all of us had to really work hard on a particular dialect for this yet untitled venture. This is all I can reveal about the film as of now. Besides this, what are the other projects that you are busy with? Short Cut - The Con Is On is an Anil Kapoor home production. Akshaye Khanna has a fantastic role in it and after Circuit, this will be Arshad Warsi’s next best role, believe me. Mine is a glamourous character and I am very excited about it as it has a lot of range for performance. Then there is My Name is Anthony Gonsalves due for release in January 2008. UTV’s Hook Ya Crook is right now on hold. After Madhuri Dixit and Tabu, you are MF Hussain’s muse. The legendary painter is completely enticed by you. I am honoured. Again. When Hussain sahab got to know that I was shooting in Hyderabad, (his wife is from there) he opened his art gallery for the unit of Athithi and insisted that everything was on the house. He was very generous. He calls me at least four times a week to keep me updated with facts about exhibitions and other events. He is still very enthusiastic despite his age. I am proud to be associated with him.

Is Amrita Rao anorexic? By Indiatimes

Post Vivah , Amrita Rao is one actress who is making all the news and bagging the best projects. She also made her debut in South Indian films with Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu’s Athidhi . The film released and became an instant hit. Happy by the response, Amrita now wants to be cautious in selecting films. For last six months, she has been put up in Hyderabad working for Athidhi and Shyam Benegal’s film. She talks to Indiatimes.com about her career plans for regional films and more. Your first foray into regional films with Athidhi , which has been received well and people in Andhra are going gaga over your looks. How is the experience? I am really happy to know that Athidhi has been lapped up by Telugu people. Everyone is enjoying it from masses to college students. I saw the film on the first day first show in Sudarshan, a 70mm theatre and it was an experience I will never forget. I saw people literally celebrating the film. They came with tons of paper and threw it across the screens in joy. Mere Liye Woh Bahut Yadgaar Pal Tha . I felt greater responsibility as an actress. What was the prime reason for selecting this film as your debut in Telugu? The first thing that I liked about Athidhi is that my character name in the film is Amrita – my real name. In Bollywood, I played lot of roles but never was I called Amirta in those films. In some movies, I was called Payal, Poonam and in some Sanjana. Apart from this, I liked the characterization of my role in the movie. I like the whole fictitious character coming out of me, which was designed like the female lead in Matrix and trying to do what she probably can’t do. Will you like to do more such fantasy characters in Bollywood? Yes, I would love to. Actually, I am already talking about this characterization to people in Bollywood. Playing characters like Carrie-Anne Moss in Matrix was real fun. It is like doing a dream character that I have always wanted to do. Are you happy with the girl-next-door image? I want to encash on this image. It is always better for an actor/actress to connect with one’s audiences. People find me in their daughter, sister or the girl they always knew in their neighborhood. It is important for an actress to be identified by the audiences. I am happy with this image. Are’t you worried it’ll typecast you? From the beginning, I have been doing a variety of films and roles. In Main Hoon Na , I did a modern college girl. While I did a period film ( The Legend of Bhagat Singh ), on other hand, I also played a traditional Indian girl in Shikar. Ishq Vishq and Vivah are all different from each other. I am picking up a variety of roles despite this image. You seem so anorexic! (laughs) Really? Well, being petite works for me to sustain in the film world. But I never starve to be slim. I take healthy food and believe I have appropriate weight. Tell us about Shyam Benegal’s film This film is going to be one of the milestones in my film journey. I have already shot for the film for one month in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad and the whole experience was enriching. Shyamji is one of the directors, I respect and he is an internally known filmmaker. His cinema has always been sensible and good. This time he is doing a satirical comedy and has commercial elements too. Shyam ji is going to surprise lots of people with this film. What next? My film with director Niwas – My Name Anthony Is Gonsalves , is going to be released early next year. Then there is Anil Kapoor’s home production, Short Cut , starring Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi. Some films are still in the pipeline.

'I have fallen in love with Hyderabad' By Rediff

Amrita Rao's first foray into Telugu films was an eye-opening experience for her. The Bollywood actress who has acted in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Main Hoon Na and Vivah opposite Shahid Kapur made her debut opposite 'Prince' star Mahesh Babu [Images] in Athidhi. In this exclusive interview the actress tells Radhika Rajamani about her growing love for Hyderabad and the experience of watching her first Telugu film in a theatre. The experience of seeing my first Telugu film in the theatre with the audience was one of the most unusual treat to my eyes. We went to the theatre in a group for the noon show. Manjula (Mahesh's sister) and Namrata (Mahesh's wife) were with me along with Mahesh. We had ample security so we felt quite safe. I saw the whole film. During the interval some of the viewers clicked photos from their cellphones and called me by my name. We literally saw people celebrating the film; they threw confetti and screamed every time an actor appeared on the screen. There would be a roar every time a song started. For me, it was just one of the most fascinating experiences because in Bombay they don't do that even for the biggest stars. It is something unique to the south, the way people look up to actors and worship them and literally celebrate their film. This gives me a sense of greater responsibility as an entertainer and it just makes us believe that we need to put in more than a 100 per cent for every shot. Athidhi is a visual delight. When people watch a film, they see the hero and the heroine and usually come out thinking that these are the only two people who have worked in the movie. But in Athidhi the director's and the technicians' work shine through. Surender Reddy kept telling me not to worry. 'I am going to add some effects,' he would say. I kept hearing this word `effects' throughout the making of the film. But it was only when I saw the film in the theatre that I realised he had envisioned far-far more than we could have imagined in terms of technicalities. Hats off to him. Dance in south Indian films Dance steps in south Indian films are more challenging than they are in Hindi films (where the biggest of stars go in for rehearsals before they actually shoot). But in Hyderabad I found out that the actors directly land on the sets and start learning the steps. It was hectic for me initially but it' has been quite an experience. I am impressed at the way the heroes go for such difficult steps. Mahesh would sit and observe the steps and then perform them effortlessly. Charminar trip I must also talk about my trip to the Charminar. I went to Charminar wearing a burqa with my whole group. We reached around 5pm and were there till 8 pm. It was beautiful with all the stalls glittering with lights. Since it was the month of Ramzan, there were so many people on the street and I literally walked with them. I went to the choodi bazaar (Laad bazaar), bought lots of bangles and coloured stone chains. It was quite an experience for me. It was fascinating just being there. The view from Charminar was very beautiful and I saw the whole city laid out in front of me. We were there for about 20 minutes or so. There were so many burqa-clad women that the team members kept an eye out for me in case I got lost. I was so tempted to buy the Hyderabadi mehendi and beautiful materials. There were a lot of salwar kameezes but I felt one has to have an entire day to shop. Shooting in Hyderabad I think this year Hyderabad has suddenly become a part of my destiny. We started the shoot of Athidhi at the beginning of the year in Delhi. Since then I was in Hyderabad almost every month. To top it all, even Shyam Benegal [Images] also shot his film Mahadev in Hyderabad. So somewhere I think I have developed a great rapport with the city, its people and now I follow a smattering of Telugu. I love the food. Andhra food has coconut sprinkled in it like Mangalorean food although it's spicy. I liked the curd rice with the tadka. Hyderabad is a hot city, with hot food and hot people! While I was there, I personally went with my dressman Konda and sourced outfits from Hyderabad Central. I took that experience as a great learning opportunity. Shopping is great in Hyderabad and is better than in Mumbai. People recognised me and some even come up to me and asked me 'Hey, are you Amrita?'. Some even took my autographs. I went by boat to the Buddha statue in the middle of the Hussain Sagar lake. It was a week-day at around noon, so there were a few people around. It was fascinating to see the 'Eat Street', a popular hangout for teenagers because in Mumbai we have the Marine Drive, Worli Sea Face, Bandstand, Juhu beach but we don't have anything like the 'Eat Street'. All in all Hyderabad is a beautiful city. I think I have fallen in love with it.

Amrita loves Hyderabad

Actress Amrita Rao who is in town discusses her experience in Hyderabad while shooting for her debut Telugu flick Athithi as well as Shyam Benegal's new project. Excerpts from an exclusive interview: Tell us about your Telugu debut? It just happened out of the blue, I had been receiving offers from the South right from the very beginning, but had made a conscious decision to first carve a niche for myself and build a reputation in Bollywood, as I have no filmi background or connection whatsoever. So I never expected to venture down South this soon, but things fell in place, and this seemed the perfect time for my debut. What was your experience working with Mahesh Babu? I had heard about Mahesh, but had never seen his work. Incidentally, I am acting in a Hindi remake of his film Atthadu, so I watched the film. I was blown away by his performance, and ever since, I'd always wanted to work with him, he is an awesome actor, and believes in giving his best shot in the first take, I loved that attitude and learned to imbibe that in my own performance. He is one of my favourite co-stars. You have been stereotyped in 'good girl' roles, are you working on changing that image? One of the reasons why my character in this movie is so different, is that it breaks away from all stereotypes, the opening scene itself, is so beautifully conceived. The character has different shades to her, and for the first time, I am called Amrita in the film. So yeah, I am quite kicked about my role and can't wait for its release. They say it's already booked all over AP for the next week from its release. Currently you are shooting for Shyam Benegal with Shreyas Talpade, tell us about the movie and the experience of shooting in Hyderabad. Well. I can't talk much about the film, but I play more of a character-oriented role in this film. Shyam Benegal had always been in the wish list of my directors. He has always been perceived to make arty film, but this film is a contrast to that. It's a satirical comedy yet very real and situational, along with the sensibilities of Shyam Benegal. I am very pleased to be in the league of actress like Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Rekhaji and Karishma who have worked in classics by Shyam Benegal. I had heard that actors come out more refined after working with him, now I've experienced it. As for Shreyas Talpade, he is just so creative, his biggest strength is how he improvises every moment, and adds value to the work. I loved his work in Dor. His enthusiasm is amazing. You haven't been seen for a while on screen, tell us what's been keeping you busy? I've literally been living out of my suitcase since January this year. But I have been very focused and conscious about the kind of film that I work in. As I want to do more quality work. I have a lot lined up, there is my Telugu debut Athithi, and Ailkumar's Shortcut with Akshay Khanna and Arshad Warsi, then there is My name is Anthony Gonzalves, where I play an assistant director. You aren't much of an item number girl, are you? Why not, if I get an opportunity to work with someone like Farah, I'd love to do one. I don't see why item numbers always give a negative connotation, it could be positive too. Ash looked gorgeous in Kajara re and Ishk Kamina, it depends on how the song is treated. Apart from film I love music, and I love singing, though only to myself, it's a very special part of me. I love listening to Hindustani music, and am a total Bollywood music freak, it has evolved so much, and has the best of every genre. Also, we have some of the best talents in the music industry. I also like modeling. It's a pleasure walking on ramp. Priya and Chintan and Sabyasachi Mukherjee are among my favourite designers.

‘I had a crush on Mongia’ by Mauli Singh

Pet name: I don’t have a pet name but when I was shooting for Masti, Riteish and Tara Sharma nicknamed me Amrayta My first crush: When I was in school I had a crush on Nayan Mongia, the Indian wicket-keeper. Right now, I have a crush on Jude Law What turns me on in a man: His ability to be himself. A good sense of humour is also a great turn on I am possessive about: My mobile After a hard day’s work I unwind: By chilling in my room. I light a candle and read a book In my next life, I would like to be: An actress again because it allows me to lead so many lives and touch people’s hearts all across the planet. One day, I won’t be here but I will still be here for so many generations. I’m getting so much love and fan mail I have a soft corner for: Nepalese people. I find them very cute and I like their language too A moment that left me embarrassed: We were shooting for Main Hoon Na in Darjeeling. I was introduced to Zayed for the first time. One day, while waiting for the sun to come out, I casually told Zayed, “The weather here is so erotic.” Zayed looked at me in amazement and shot back, “You mean erratic.” It was the biggest icebreaker between us. He told everyone, including Shah Rukh Khan. It was very embarrassing One thing I have wanted to do for ages: Scuba diving. I have heard of Prahlad Kakkar’s underwater scuba diving school. I will enroll some day If I had to teach Hindi to a Hollywood actor it would be: Will Smith because he is a funny guy If I could drop a coin in a wishing well I would wish: To be the best actress A place in India that I go gaga about: Rajasthan. I am fascinated by the palaces. I am waiting for an opportunity to shoot in a palace One fictional character that I identify with the most: Bhagat Singh. Legend of Bhagat Singh was my second film. I got to know so much about his bravery. Ajay Devgan was completely involved in the character, Farida Jalal cried on the set without glycerine. Everybody was so emotionally charged One thing that makes me nostalgic: Every time it rains there is this fragrance of mitti in the air. It takes me back to my school days when I used to walk to school in the rains with gumboots, a raincoat and an umbrella. I thought it was so beautiful although the water was all mucky. Those childhood memories remain with me Given an opportunity I would like to interview: Shah Rukh Khan. I would like to ask him how it feels to make so many people happy all the time and to make his mark in the industry despite coming from a non-film background. He is so charming My favourite book: Passion India, a story of the Spanish princess of Kapurthala. It’s going to be made into a movie very soon. I also liked You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L Hay and Only Love is Real by Brian Weiss My dream role: An epic film which has several Indian classical songs

A NEW CANVAS

She’s on a rollercoster - from being Grand Marshall at a NRI parade in Fremont to shooting in Hyderabad, Dubai and Mumbai. And for good measure, Ms Fizz-ical Amrita Rao is the new M.F.Husain muse too. How was the Grand Marshall experience? Awesome! The Federation of Indo-American Association of Northern California invited me, and I just had to support the NRIs’ sense of patriotism and their preservation of the Indian culture despite being based on the other side of the globe. It was quite a big deal because the honour had gone before me to Dev Anand, Amitabh Bachchan and Urmila. I wore a ghaghra-choli and led a parade in a horse-carriage, waving to a 60,000-strong crowd of Indians of all hues. You have been on a whirlwind of shootings in Dubai, Hyderabad and Mumbai, and the overwork caught up with your health. (Laughs) Yes, but I am enjoying the hectic pace after a lull. Both the Dubai and Hyderabad shoots were for my Telugu debut film, Atithi, starring Mahesh Babu. Hindi film heroines do Southern films by the dozens. What made you take up Athithi? I was approached by Padmalaya, as this is Mahesh Babu’s home production. A superstar there, Mahesh does only one film annually. The director, Surendra Reddy, gave a narration and the way they had envisioned my character, planned my presentation and given me a terrific introduction scene appealed to me. The South Indians like their heroines, food and films spicy! It is also uncommon for a heroine in Telugu cinema to have an equal role with a superstar hero. How different was that experience from an Ishq Vishq, Main Hoon Na, Masti or Vivah? I enjoyed the challenge of mastering my dialogues and getting the diction and expressions right. I also had to get the meanings of my co-stars’ lines and my own so that I could react perfectly. You have gone in for a makeover. Is it for a specific film? I think that I have to show a side different from my Ms Goody-Gumdrops image. I am paying attention to looks and fitness. I want to be one of the country’s best actresses, so a trendy, hot and glamorous look within the parameters of my comfort levels adds to the image of complete womanhood. What made M.F.Husain find his new muse after Madhuri Dixit in you? (Laughs) He actually loved my look as Poonam in Vivah. He loved the way Sooraj (Barjatya)ji presented me as the epitome of Indian simplicity and purity. Soorajji’s office is full of Hussainsaab’s paintings and I would observe them, not realizing that I would become his muse! He wants to do a film with me, and when I was shooting in Dubai for Atithi, he insisted on making his Bentley available with a chaffeur for my travel! And which are your Hindi films after the Heyy Babyy cameo? I am doing Anil Kapoor’s production Shortcut directed by writer Neeraj Vora with Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi, My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves directed by E.Niwas and presented by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, and Shyam Benegal’s satirical comedy with Shreyas Talpade.

Hot Stuff!

Hottest thing about you (laughs) Tough one! Let me say I am yet to discover the hottest thing about me! Hottest TV show you saw in the last few months Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. What made it so hot? Shweta Salve. Need I say more? Hottest movie It has to be my film Vivah. In an age of cut-throat competition and lucrative gains, Sooraj Barjatya's brand of cinema has always exemplified Indian culture, morality, goodwill and commitment in relationships.The honesty with which Soorajji promotes family values is heartwarming. Hottest thing about Shahid Kapoor His matchless sense of humour. He leaves the entire film unit (including me) in absolute splits. Of course, I happen to be the subject of all his jokes. He pulls my leg all the time and I've got used to it. Hottest pick-up line "Kahin main tere pichhle janam ka Krishna aur tu meri Radha to nahin?" Ugh! (laughs out loud) Hottest thing a fan did Oh, don't remind me! This fan would send me mushy messages and gifts from Patna. Despite my indifference, he was persistent with his gifts. Ultimately, he decided to gift me a two-month-old puppy, all the from Patna, mind! That's when I caught hold of his number and asked a friend to have a serious chat with him and put an end to the madness. (laughs) Hottest piece of gossip you've ever heard I've heard that a very famous woman from Indian film frat religiously jogs on the Dadar road every day between 2:00 and 3:00 a.m! The strangest part is that she lives some where in Andheri or Juhu, like an hour away from Dadar! Why she would go all the way to Dadar to jog, that too at 2:00 a.m? (laughs) Hint please? (laughs) No names! She's from the industry but she's not an actress. Trust me, many industrywallahs have seen her on that same road. Freaky, no? Hottest rumour doing the rounds Everything related to Aishwarya and Abhishek. Jokes apart, it really doesn't matter what the two decide to do in their personal lives. The media should give them a break. And? And? (laughs) Well, I think they look fantastic on screen. That's all I'm telling! Hottest youth icon Sunidhi Chauhan. She started singing at such a young age and now rules the music industry. That speaks volumes about her determination.The hottest thing about her is her ability to modulate her voice according to the mood of the song. Check out Beedi from Omkara. Hottest artiste Can I say Himesh Reshammiya? (laughs) Hottest fitness tip Self-restraint and self-control are the keywords for a hot bod. The mind controls the body, not vice versa. Overcome the temptation of junk food.Yoga also works wonders for the mind and body but I'm too lazy to practise it religiously. (laughs) Hottest stress-buster Watching a good Bollywood flick. Hottest dish A bowl of spicy hot and sour soup. Hottest romantic getaway Prague! Whether it is the quaint cobbled streets, the intricate artwork on the high ceilings, the breathtaking architecture, every nook and corner of the city spells romance.The hottest thing about it—it's so lost in time and yet so real. Hottest fragrance The invigorating smell of a bunch of raat ki rani. Hottest music The Omkara soundtrack Hottest quote Shah Rukh, when he doesn't bag an award, says, “It isn't as though I don't deserve the awards. Just that the awards don't deserve me.” Hottest prank you've ever played or heard of I have always been at the receiving end of most pranks. When Ken Ghosh once called me for a movie narration, I gladly went, little realising that I was in for a major spin. From the moment this weird nerdy scriptwriter started off (in the worst Canadian accent ever), I knew something was amiss. He declared I was the lead heroine and he would essay the hero! There would be this bizarre dance sequence followed by our on-screen wedding, after which we would proceed for my 'real offscreen' wedding with him. When I heard that, I cracked up. It was too wacky to be true. It was MTV Bakra. Hottest hangouts ‘Out Of The Blue’ at Pali Hill. From the décor to the ambience to the service to the hot cuisine, the place rocks. Your hottest kiss Well well well (giggles)... I'm actually still waiting for it, while on a never-ending wait for my Prince Charming. Something hot we don't know about you Quite often, I put on a cap and sneak into a theatre running my film. It's a lot of fun because that's where you get the most honest feedback. Things that are so NOT hot Actors being misquoted in media. Journalists must make sure the essence of what we say does not change. Mincing words 'into' our mouths is so not cool. Hottest date you've ever been on Forget the hottest, I have NEVER been on a date! Hottest hunk in India Hrithik Roshan—perfection personified. He has great facial features, coveted height, sexy physique. He's India's finest actor today. And, to top it all, he's genuinely humble. Hottest fantasy Shooting a romantic song in gorgeous snow-clad Ladakh with Hrithik (co-star) and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. (director) Hottest fetish Singing. I love listening to old film music and crooning along

Flaming 5

HOTTEST FRAGRANCE Raat ki rani HOTTEST STRESS-BUSTER A good Bollywood flick HOTTEST ARTISTE Himesh Reshammiya HOTTEST FITNESS TIP Self-restraint HOTTEST MUSIC Omkara OST

It all happened at 15

Amrita Rao, who was in Dubai for the shoot of the Telugu film Atithi airs her views … How did Bollywood that happen? Getting into films was a childhood dream, which I had kept to myself. But I guess I was destined to be an actress. I had just finished Class 10. I was 15. It was the summer vacation. I heard of an audition for a fairness crème ad film. I tried my luck, and I got it. And then, even as I joined college, modelling assignments started pouring in —Close-up, Coke, Pepsi Bru, Perk…. A few of the ad films got noticed. And that got me film roles — Ab Ke Baras, Ishq Vishq, The Legend of Bhagat Singh Mai Hoon Na. This was in 2003. Vivah happened two years later, and is still going on. Things began for me on a fantastic note with back-to-back hits. You started off very young. Any regrets? Actually, no, because even after so many films, I still have so much to look forward to … so many years ahead of me. You come from a family that has nothing to do with films. How did you cope with the big bad world of Bollywood? Actually, it’s not such a big bad world. When you are an insider you realise there are different levels, as in every industry. The level you come from, you automatically begin to deal with that level. You avoid anything that looks remotely shady. What about the casting couch? I don’t know if anything like that exists. I have not seen it or experienced it. I didn’t have to really struggle to get my roles I have dealt with highly professional people and production houses, like Tips, Ken Ghosh, Raj Kumar Santoshi Rajshree…. So, I have not had to deal with anything sleazy. I suppose the casting couch is a desperate measure, which unfortunately some people succumb to. It’s a personal choice. But finally, no one can force you to do anything you don’t want to do. It is believed that models don’t make good actresses. Your take on that? I think it’s a myth. It’s a generalisation, and like all other generalisations, it’s not true. Look at Bipasha Basu, Sushmita Sen Gul Penag. They were models who are also fine actresses. What about competition? Yes, there’s more competition in movies than in modelling. When you are a model, no one says ‘That shampoo girl is better than the coffee girl’. But once you enter films, you have to be prepared for it — comparisons and criticisms. You have to be strong enough to deal with it. You are only as good as your last film. As an actress you have to gamble with your name and reputation. What if you are not received well by the audiences? What if you are written off by the media? You are constantly plagued by such questions. How do you deal with over-exposure? It’s easy to lose one’s freshness. We need to keep doing different kinds of roles to remain in the public eye. But then, if over-exposure was bad, then Hollywood actresses would have been the first targets. People like Julia Roberts have survived for so long because of their creativity and versatility. But again, you cannot have too many releases in a year. You need to space them out and choose roles that leave a lasting impression. Your take on beauty pageants? It gives winners an opportunity to become goodwill ambassadors of their country. People want glamorous symbols to go with compassion. It let’s these people do a lot of good work. You are being politically correct. Well, these pageants also provide a huge platform to the world of glamour. They are steppingstones to the world of modelling and movies. What do you think of the Aishwarya-Abhishek wedding? Will it last? I think it is the most historic wedding to happen in Bollywood. Most Bollywood marriages have lasted. Look at Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Sri Devi … all big names. Their marriages have lasted. How do you handle gossip and rumour-mongering? They come with the territory. It does hurt because you are human. But you have to learn to live with it. You have to take it as part of the fame and find other things to help you find a balance. The best way to deal with gossip is to keep quiet and not react. It’s practically impossible to go door-to-door telling people what they’ve heard is not true.

'I am ready for an item number'

She made her debut with Ab Ke Baras. Now, she is artist M F Hussian's muse. In an interview with us, Amrita Rao discusses her short but momentous journey in Bollywood. Real vs reel: I have played a variety of roles and, somewhere, I am like a few. Ishq Vishq was more like myself, while I had fun experimenting with the rest. But, the best part about being an actress is that you get to do it all in this life time. Ultimate fantasy: I'm glad my characters gave me the opportunity to connect with my generation of people. Punam in Vivah was a very mature role of a small town girl. Yes, a lot of guys have complimented me on the role. And I feel happy that guys still like such girls. Muse's views: It is a compliment to be MF Hussain's muse after Madhuri, and I still cannot believe it's true. The fact that he has immortalised me in his canvas would freeze as a historical moment in my career. Big banners, bigger co-stars: I remember when Sushmita won the Miss Universe crown, every schoolgirl including me wanted to be like her. I never imagined that I would get to do such a beautiful role with her in Main Hoon Na. Item girl: For me, sensuality lies in the attitude and expression and not the clothes. I would love to work with Farah Khan in a guest appearance song or, as you call it, an item number. On working with King Khan: I worked with Shah Rukh first in Main Hoon Na and now in My name is Gonsalves. Now I know why they call him the Badshah. His response can only make your reflexes better. A day off in her life: Lazying around, catching up with friends and relatives, watching a movie and driving around the city... Romancing Shahid, onscreen: I know Shahid since Ishq Vishq and we get along well with each other. Waiting for Mr Right? I believe there is no Mr Right. If you find the right person and want to spent the rest of your life with him, then you would have to make it work towards making it right.

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