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You
possess exotic looks. What is the secret behind them? Tell us
about your background
My
father is a Bengali and my mother is a polish. I was born and
brought up in Canada. But, I have been based in Mumbai permanently
for the past four years. But it's been ten years I have been working
in Mumbai. I used to work in Mumbai and fly back to Canada. Finally
I have taken my decision to base myself in India.
What
is your educational background?
I
completed my high schooling in Canada. In between, I have taken
some creative writing courses at the University of Toronto. I
have also worked with a lawyer and a ghostwriter in Canada. I
am not formally educated, but am passionate about reading and
writing. On the sets as well, I had lot of time to educated myself
and read up a lot.
How
did you get into movies?
I
have been modeling for a long time. I have also done few things
on Television. It's not been an inevitable step to enter the films
for me. But, I have been getting films offers since I entered
modeling industry 10 years ago. I was not too sure about entering
films for a long time for many different reasons. I was not even
based in India at that time. It did not make sense to make a very
large commitment like movies. I had not grown up watching Hindi
films or Indian films. So it was not of my sensibility. So, I
was hesitant for many years. I told no to lot of so-called-prestigious-offers.
I am glad that I waited for so long to get to that maturity level
of doing films. It takes time to understand how to conduct yourself
in movies. A year ago, I accepted the Hindi film Kasoor. The reason
why I accepted is that it's not a typical masala film. It suited
my sensibilities. I portrayed a character, which is fairly strong.
And
then I agreed to do Jayant's film with Mahesh Babu. I was very
intrigued because Jayant is a wonderful person. You need to really
know him personally to understand how wonderful Jayant is. He
is a great director to work with. He worked very hard on his actors.
But, he also gives lot of room to improvise and innovate. And
again his sensibility was the one I could relate to. We get along
very well. The storyline and the concept of 'Takkari Donga' was
the one that intrigued me. It's been a real ball. I am happy that
I have agreed this film. I am also happy with my character as
well because, she is more of a mischievous girl. There are lots
of comedy streaks with my character in the film.
I
have completed my film with Deepa Mehta. We shot it in Toronto
for about two months. That was also another fabulous experience.
I am also very excited about that. I am happy that I am doing
films with the directors of sensibility. I am not doing films
for the reasons I think lots of people would do, because I have
seen enough of glamour and fame. I want to learn from the people
with whom I am working with and enjoy doing work with. Otherwise,
I am not interested. Of course, the sensibility is very important.
My
future-projects are all mainly are English language films with
offbeat variety.
Takkri
Donga is a hero-based subject. Do you have an important role that
can make a mark in the minds of moviegoers?
I
have full confidence in Jayant's skill as a director and his vision
as a director. Though Mahesh Babu had a very important and central
role, still there is lot of scope for the other characters and
there is a scope to make an impact as well. That's why I was really
insistent on the character, which I am doing now. I have to tell
a story that has happened. Initially when Jayant approached me,
he offered me the other role of the other girl. Even though that
role was very interesting, I told him that I wanted to play more
comedic and bubbly character, because I have not had the opportunity
to do such kind of character in the past. So I had persuaded Jayant
to offer me the role I am doing now. I am very happy.
In
cinematic language, they refer girls as 'first heroine', 'second
heroine' etc. What heroine role you are playing?
I
don't know. I don't really buy all that. Genuinely, I don't. But,
as I told you my sensibility and my grammar is not typically masala
kind.
How
is it like working with Mr. Mahesh Babu?
I
was really pleasantly surprised with him. I think he is really
very talented. I had the opportunity to work with him for almost
a year during the making of this film. I really admire his acting
style, which is underplayed which is again that I really appreciate.
He is a very talented dancer. I think he is got all the qualities,
which are required to be very successful in Indian cinema and
beyond as well. I think he needs to stretch himself to other types
of cinema whenever he gets an opportunity. He is also really a
nice human being. He was quite and reserved initially. But, when
you spend so much of time on the sets, then one would tend to
break that quietness. I had lot of fun. Both Jayant and Mahesh
has been super supportive. Telugu is the language that I don't
speak and that has been a stumbling block for me. Mahesh, in particular,
has been very supportive in terms of languages and dance sequences.
And I think he has got a great sense of humor, which I don't know
if many people have seen that side of him. But I am sure, they
would love to because, he has got a real wicked sense of humor.
How
is it like running around trees in Takkari Donga?
That's
also is a challenge. That is also a lot of fun. This film is been
a really good experience. The whole dancing is been a hard work
as well. I think, dance is lot more demanding in Telugu films
compared to Hindi films. The songs in this film are very catchy.
The beat is great. It required very fast coordination and hard
work, which I was struggling to do. I have to tell you that I
had a few dance sequences in Deepa film as well. But I could able
to do them very fast, as I had enough practice with Takkari Donga
dances.
Do
you have any more Telugu films coming up?
No.
I don't right now. I have been struggling to finish all my commitments
in this year. I would like to finish all my work commitments before
beginning the New Year.
How
does the web site name idlebrain sound to you?
Idlebrain!
I think it sounds like a complete computer nerd's fantasy come
true. I think it's a really good name for a web site. I think
it's really catchy. And it's a kind of techno as well. I will
definitely look up for the site idlebrain.com, because the name
will remain in my mind now. I wont have trouble finding it now.
How
frequently you visit Internet?
Very
frequently! I try to log on to Internet on daily basis to check
my mails. That's how I keep in touch with my friends all over
the world. When I get a chance, I enjoy surfing net two or three
times a day.
What's
your favorite pastime?
I typically enjoy lots of things. I love reading. I read even
when I am working at the sets. I didn't get free time in the recent
months. I am not just doing films. I am also doing a number of
other things as well. Now, my free time is almost zero. I am looking
forward to get a nice vacation in the next few weeks. When on
vacation, I enjoy going to Goa, Kerala or some sort of very secluded
and peaceful place. I enjoy spending time alone.
What's
your future plans when you stop acting in films.
I
enjoy writing. Writing is the one thing I definitely explore in
the future. I don't know in what capacity right now. But it will
be definitely be a part of my future.
Do
you have any published articles?
Yes
I have published articles in Times of India, Indian Express and
Cosmopolitan. I also would like to explore more creative formats
like short stories.
Do
you have any plans of directing a film?
I
have been very inspired and am very lucky with all of my directors
I worked with so far. I can only aspire to be having that much
of focus and vision of what Jayant of Deepa Mehta had. They are
very inspirational figures. The fact is also intimidating that
they are so accomplished that you realize that even if you want
to begin directing films, you have a long way to go. You have
to train a great deal. But, I would not rule that out as well
in the future. When I direct film, it would be close to my own
sensibilities.
But
I think the one area that I would like to explore is the satirical
comedy. I have seen a film recently called 'Bollywood Calling',
directed by Nagesh Kukunoor who is also from Hyderabad. I really
enjoy watching that film a lot though it had low production values
and no razzle-dazzle of Hindi cinema. But the script was great
and the performances were great. Its really funny film and people
want to laugh. And they entertain comedy as well. I think slapstick
comedy is the ongoing phenomenon in India. I would like to deal
with slapstick comedies in anyway that I could.
Do
you take any precautions to maintain your health and fitness?
For
the last one year, I have not taken any precautions. I really
had been working almost every single day. To be frank, it has
taken a bit of toll on my health. It's very important to have
a bit of time to oneself to unwind, to meditate and to be on one
own. It's a stressful profession as you deal with lot of people
all the time. So, that's very important to me both mentally and
health wise. I have to get back to the gym. That's also one of
my ambitions. I enjoy working out. But my schedules and traveling
have been very crazy. I enjoy walking. If all that times, I go
for a nice long walk. And I find that combined unwinding mentally
with also some physical exercise.
What
kind of food you prefer eating?
I
like all kinds of foods. I like exotic cuisine. I like to sample
food from all over the world. I like Indian food. But, strangely
when I leave India I crave for the Indian food most. When I am
India, I tend to favor Italian, Thai or Chinese food. But I am
very passionate about food. I love eating. I had to curb myself.
If I didn't, I would have put in lot of weight. I enjoy the whole
ritual of eating out with friends. I go out with my friends to
restaurants in the night. That is the favorite thing I do.
Do
you have any words for the visitors of idlebrain.com?
Words
for the visitors! That's a hard one. To the techno geeks! Right?
And it's mainly for the Telugu movie buffs.
Please
come and see my film 'Takkari donga'. We had really put in a lot
of hard work. And I guarantee that 'Takkari Donga' would be a
visual delight. We have shot extensively in some beautiful locations.
Every one of us performed very well, Mahesh in particular. Direction
of this film is fantastic. You got a great package and a great
incentive to come and see 'Takkari Donga'. And of course, its
my first Telugu film. So, please come and see 'Takkari Donga'.
Do
you have any web site?
I
don't have any official web site. But there are lots of web sites
on me floating around, which are created by fans.
Can
you give out your email address to idlebrain.com visitors?
I
would love to get emails from them. I can give you my real email
address. You can create a forwarding account at idlebrain.com
and let the visitors email me. I will respond to all my mails.
Keep writing mails to [email protected]
Visit
takkaridonga.com ...... the official web site of 'Takkari
Donga'
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