An Exclusive Interview With Sushmita Sen

Sushmita Sen on 'Main Hoon Naa' and other forthcoming releases

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What made you take up a role in Main Hoon Na?
Actually, Farah Khan told me long ago that she would cast me in her first directorial venture. That happened precisely when she was working with me for the song Mehboob Mere in Fiza. Frankly, I hadn’t paid much heed then. But when she actually did cast me, I was overwhelmed. Most people in this industry do not live up to their promises

What is Main Hoon Na all about?
I am not supposed to give away any details of the story. In short the film is based on Indo-Pak relations and it has dollops of fun, humour, romance, action and emotions as well.

What is your role in the film?
I play Chandni, a chemistry teacher, who sweeps Ram (Shahrukh Khan) off his feet. Knowingly or unknowingly, I have imitated my political science teacher, Sunita Varma.

Does Sunita Varma know about this?
I am not in touch with her. But if she sees the film, she’ll instantly realise it

  Why didn’t anybody think of casting you and Shahrukh Khan together before this?
I think film-makers have preconceived notions. They fail to look beyond a few successful pairs. Actually, this spoils the casting. Unfortunately, the casting process in India is done as per the actor’s availability when it actually should be done as per characterisation. If certain actors fit certain characters, a film maker should wait for some time until he gets the correct person. That would go a long way in making the film better.

  What else don’t you like in this industry?
I hate the way filmmakers get hyper about shooting the climax scene. Maximum energy is spent in ensuring that nothing goes wrong in the end. This over-indulgence is actually adverse for the final product. Remember how the end of Samay- When Time Strikes got spoilt? It all happened because we focussed on it more than required and everything went haywire. A beautiful film went down the drain.

  If you hadn’t been choosy, you would have done more films. In hindsight, was it a wise decision?
I would have definitely done more films but wouldn’t have lasted in the industry. Besides, acting is not the be-all and end-all of my life. I am not in the rat race.

  What are your forthcoming projects?
Ram Gopal Varma’s Vaastu Shastra, Mahesh Manjrekar’s Garbh, It Rained One Night (the English version of Astitva), Kalpana Lajmi’s The Prostitute and The Postman and an out-n-out action thriller to be shot completely in New York; let me be secretive about the last one’s maker.

  Do you feel that you should get Hollywood projects? If yes, would you do them? Do such projects put one on a different pedestal?
I don’t think there’s any new pedestal that an actor/actress arrives on after getting a Hollywood project. As for me, I want to concentrate on Indian films. There is so much potential for growth here. And I am happy to explore Indian films at the moment.

  Has Ekta Kapoor roped you in to anchor Balaji Telefilms’ talk show proposed for a new channel?
Balaji Telefilms had offered me a talk show, but I declined the offer. I don’t think that I am ready to do a talk show as yet.