Rendezvous With Naina Dhaliwal

'Naina Dhaliwal' Photo Gallery

Naina Dhaliwal is no maiden but that hasn't stopped Naina Dhaliwal from bowling everyone over. After her sizzling photo shoot for Dand went sour, Mrs India 2004 is now keen to get noticed in 'Gandhi Se Pehle Gandhi'. But while she's all set to explode on the silver screen, this married bombshell has another matter to take care of. Naina will soon be heading for Palm Springs, California to represent India at the Mrs Globe 2004 contest.

Naina went on to play what she describes as 'second lead' in Himanshu Mallik-Meghna Naidu starrer Jackpot. Although she's looking forward to sign a spooky thriller with Ramsay Brothers, her greatest expectations lie with Iqbal Durrani's (of Phool Aur Kaante fame) film.
"Even when I was a successful model in Delhi, I wanted to make it big in films. I was cast opposite Himanshu in Jackpot. In the film I am his rich neighbour who gets murdered. I have also done guest appearances in Amavas and Madhoshi. Gandhi Se Pehle Gandhi will be my first big break," she says.

  While the 24-year-old voluptuous beauty from Ludhiana insists she has nothing more to do with the film, it is her dare-bare stills from Dand-The Punishment that has catapulted her into fame.
"I don't want to talk about Dand because I am no longer doing the film. The photo shoot was done by well-known lensman Daboo Ratnani. However I am not very happy with the way the pictures turned out. I love just one picture in the entire shoot - the one where I am wearing a white dhoti with shells around my neck as the only cover. My cousin and fellow model Anupama Varma calls it my 'Eve picture' and it sounds perfect. I am always willing to do experimental shoots and this particular snap really captures the mood. The rest of the shoot is however a different story," she says.
"I don't shy away from bare-all shoots. I can show you far more bizarre and daring pictures that I have posed for. But there's a difference. They are superior and of an international quality."

  Naina accuses the Dand's producer of unprofessional behaviour.
"I was signed for just an item number. Chunnu Mehra, Dand's director and producer later wanted me to do the lead role as well. He kept calling me during a trip to the Vaishno Devi shrine and promised that only a week's shooting would be required for the first scheduled. I cancelled my trip to meet his demands but a week went by and nothing happened. To add insult to injury Mehra wanted me to do the lead for the same amount that I had been offered for the item number. No extra money was forthcoming. It was then that I decided to walk out," she says.

  The 'kudi' Punjaban still hasn't got over the bitter parting.
"I have no regrets letting go a lead role. You can't exploit a newcomer. How can someone offer me a certain sum of money to do a 10-minute item number and then expect me to do the whole film without charging anything extra? It's just not done. I was so mad that I decided to quit the film there and then," she fumes.

  Naina is happy that so far her marriage life and sex bomb image haven't clashed.
"My husband Sam Dhaliwal is an American citizen and is very broad minded. He's cool about things and a complete 'chill pill' guy. Our marriage is proof enough of that. I am 24 and he's 40. Although there's a 14-year age difference between us, it has never been an issue. Since Sam is a photographer and I am a model, I think we were made for each other. We met at one of my shoots and tied the knot within five or six days of courtship. We have now been married for the last two years. In fact I want to start a family sometime in June-July 2005 after completing the projects that I have in hand. Though my in-laws expired last year, they too were broad-minded," she claims.
"My mother-in-law was a lawyer and believe-it-or-not, used to wear shorts at home. Even my other in-laws in Ludhiana have no problems with my professional decsions. After all, it is my bread and butter. Not that I care a lot about what people say. I have always been tomboyish and have a mind of my own. No one stops me from doing what I want. My husband in fact keeps pushing me to go to parties and have fun. He often accompanies me to such parties and is supportive of my lifestyle. As far as exposure is concerned, he knows it's the rule of the game in Bollywood. It's just acting at the end of the day!" she quips.

  Naina, who is fond of animals and enjoys cooking Indian meals, doesn't think she's betraying her marriage when she gets physical on screen.
"I have one basic rule - jitna public mangti hai utna dena chahiye (give the people what they want). I have done a smooching scene in Amavas but it's not like cheating. One doesn't show a proper smooch and lovemaking scene in films. A kiss has to look natural without showing any tongue movement. When I see stars do it on screen, I feel they are cheating the public. Kar bhi rahein hain aur nahi bhi. (They are shown kissing but are not doing it naturally). How can that be possible?" she asks.

  Marital pressures have however taken their toll on other Mrs India contestants.
"I find it surprising that so many marriages are falling apart at a time when people have become so broad-minded. In a day and age when mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law go together to watch 'bold' films, it's really sad to see some of my colleagues end their relationships. Kanwal Toor - first runners up at Mrs India 2004 - has filed for divorce and is currently working in TV soap. Tania Soni, wife of singer Piyush Soni and winner at Gladrags Mrs India 2003, is also divorced. I sometimes wonder what's wrong. Why can't people take life easy?"

  Naina, who has now shifted base to Mumbai, makes no secret about her starry ambitions.
"I don't belong to a family that can afford to give me a big-budget debut and then ensure that I get to work with top filmmakers despite numerous flops. Although I come from a well-to-do-family, I'm still a struggler. And I like every other struggler I want name, fame and more money," she says.

  But Naina wants to realise her dreams without getting down on the casting couch.
"In both Delhi and Mumbai, newcomers are desperate enough to do anything for work. I too was propositioned by a director. He called me up for an item song and said that I could come over for some 'fun' with the producer if I wanted more money. I told him to f**k off in so many words. Do you want to be exploited? Well, that's a decision only you can make. If you are a professional, I don't think you need to sleep around," she insists.
"Bollywood is murkier than the fashion world. On the ramp, you are at least treated like a professional. But in Mumbai, every new actress in town is fair game. Certainly, many of them have only themselves to blame for not having the confidence to make it on their own steam."

  'Gandhi Se Pehle Gandhi' hopes Mrs Dhaliwal, will give her the kind of exposure she has been looking for.
"In the film I play myself - a tomboy with a mind of her own. The story is set in pre-independence days when the British ruled India. It addresses the hypocrisy surrounding supernatural and tantric practices prevalent at the time. It's inspired by the life of Phirsa Munda, a godman from Jharkhand, to whom people flocked for advice and guidance. My co-star in the film is a cute guy called Saif whom I protect from the British. Being a natural fighter, the role suited me perfectly," she exults.

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