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kareena's interview from screen india, interview taken before the death of the director i'm sure.
What was it about Chameli that grabbed you?
It’s a role completely different from anything I have done before. For the first time I’m playing a sex-worker in a film. She’s not a tawaif or a kothewali like Chandramukhi in Devdas. Nor is she a Chandni Bar like dancer. She’s not even a Julia Roberts kind of prostitute from Pretty Woman. Chameli is a common street-walker who one night meets this man. It’s the story of their interaction over the course of that one, rainy night. An actress usually gets to play this kind of a character after a decade in the industry. At 22, with just three years of experience, I must be the youngest actresses to attempt anything so challenging.
Waheeda Rehman was barely out of her teens when Pyaasa beckoned. She was so naive that when Guru Dutt told her that she was playing a street-walker she thought he meant a sweeper...
Smiling) Girls are more aware now. But Waheedaji was wonderful in Pyaasa. So were Shabanaji and Smitaji in Mandi. Shabanaji is such a brilliant actress and so beautiful. Tabu in Chandni Bar was amazing too. I’m not trying to match their histrionics. I’m just doing my little bit, portraying the character on a very humanitarian level.
How would you define “humanitarian�
Most people forget that prostitutes are human beings with feelings. Like a doctor, teacher or an actress they’re also doing a job even if they’ve been forced into it by circumstances. I don’t find anything “bad†about my profession. I’d like to think that’s the way it is for them too. They’re looking for empathy, not sympathy. That’s why it’s so easy for me to identify with Chameli even though her world is so different from mine. The beauty of the film is that it’s not about love, songs and a heroic rescue from a brothel. Chameli is a two-hour film with just two songs. It presents a true-to-life picture within the parameters of commercial Hindi cinema.
You seem charged up about the film today yet when it was offered to you a year ago you had turned it down.
I had reservations about playing such a character before. I was apprehensive about my family’s reactions. Fortunately, Rangita renewed her offer after 12 months during which I myself had gone through a transition of sorts. My perspective about Chameli had changed. It isn’t only me, the entire film scene has changed. Makers today are experimenting with different subjects and the audience is more accepting of something new. Koi...Mil Gaya is a huge hit even with a mentally challenged hero and an alien. I’m so happy for Hrithik. From the first take of Yaadein I knew he was one of the finest actors we had. He has that magical combination of talent and passion, a good physique and a vulnerable face. And to add to all that, he’s a wonderful human being...
So you decided to break out of the mould too?
Yeah, I realised that now is the time to branch out since the roles are coming my way. My fans have been very kind and patient with me even though I’ve done some bad films. I can’t let them down. I owe it to them to do some different roles now.
You’ve taken risks before...
Yeah, Poo of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was a gamble, so was Asoka’s Kaurvaki. Hey, if you remember, even my first film, Refugee strayed off-the-beaten-track. I need this kind of thrill. But in the last year I got stuck with run-of-the-mill films. Chameli has the adrenaline flowing again. At the same time I’m very nervous about how people are going to react to my new “lookâ€...the crassness of the character.
Chameli...You like the name?
(Smiling) I do. It’s a flower and signifies something that’s pure and innocent. At the same time it’s a prostitute’s name. A sex worker can’t be called Tina or Poo, can she?
Rahul Bose and you together is an inspired bit of casting.
It’s an unusual pairing yes, and the chemistry is fantastic. Rahul’s done several of these Hindi-English, off-beat kind of films while I’m very much the commercial Hindi film heroine. It’s a good blend.
Chameli is being planned as a quickie. This year you’ll also have another release, JP Dutta’s LOC...
(Interrupting) I’m the 35th person in LOC. In a battalion of big heroes I doubt if anyone will notice Kareena Kapoor. But JP Dutta knew that I’d have been hurt if I wasn’t a part of LOC after Refugee. I was ready to do one scene, one song, even be in a crowd of junior artistes at the back. I am what I am today because of Refugee. JP Dutta only has to tell me he wants me for a shoot, any place, any time, and I’ll be there.
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