After a couple of South films, Jai Ho marks her first major role in a Hindi film. Part excited, part nervous she talks about being a leading lady in a Salman Khan film and why South films will be a second priority for her now.
How many boring interviews have you done so far?(Taken aback) We've been doing interviews continuously for past three weeks but I've been answering the same questions almost every day.
So 'same questions' equal to boring interview?Err… (looks towards her PR manager).
Okay, are you a very interesting person?Only if I want to show my interesting side to someone. Otherwise, I'm a very boring person for people. I do not interact much with people whom I don't know.
Is your real name Afia Mohammed? Nooooooo… somebody is doing mischief with my online profile.
Shucks! You already have enemies in Bollywood. I do, already! Even on Twitter and Facebook. Yesterday, we watched Jai Ho for the first time and everyone was wishing me Happy Birthday when actually it was not my birthday.
Are you going to approach cyber cops?Yes, I plan to.
So, all that information about your Afghani lineage is humbug.I'm a Mumbaikar, a Gujarati. In Mumbai you have people of all cast and religion. Mumbaikar is the right way to say it.
What is the one thing you don't like about Salman Khan?That he makes me work out a lot.
How many kilos did you have to lose for Jai Ho?I've lost eight kilos.
Are you upset Salman Khan is promoting Elli Avram more than you?You know, the fact is that Elli is not even in town. So where is the insecurity coming from anyway? Second, I know that Salman is very caring, concerned and protective about me and I enjoy that fact. I've have no such insecurities. Elli is a good friend. I've met her several times and there are no such things coming up now.
Okay, you make friends easily.I make friends, I don't open up.
Do you think Salman Khan suffers from Godfather complex?No, I don't think so. He feels that at some point somebody had given him a break because somebody had faith in his work. Today, he is in a powerful position. So if spots somebody who he feels has potential to make it big, he does whatever he can in his capacity to help that person.
You've said that when you worked with Salman Khan, you learned things continuously. What are the things you've learnt?One thing I've learnt about myself from him is that I'm a very quiet person. I don't talk much to him also. I only listen. I'm more of a quiet observer. The second thing I learnt from him is to try and improve your self day by day. The third thing I learnt is about involvement. Everybody who works on any project is involved mentally and physically but you have show that you are interested. The fourth thing I imbibed from him is about camera angles - to try to realize the best side of your face and your body. Lastly he told me, 'You don't love the camera, make the camera love you.'
What is this rash you have on your forehead? I had met with a car accident in 2005 in Ooty. Maatha phat gaya tha! The accident happened in a small village. I was rushed to a nearby small hospital which wasn't equipped with the best facilities. I had to make do with the treatment and the stitches I got over there. When I consulted doctors in Mumbai later, they said, 'It's already stitched, I cannot do anything about it right now. Let it heal completely.' It was stitched very badly I was told.
Would you take corrective steps to get rid of the scar on you forehead in the future?If I have to correct this, I will have to take a good gap of eight to nine months. I cannot afford to do that right now. I would rather work. In any case, it is not so noticeable on camera.
Did you get a high from saying no to Salman Khan when he had approached you for a role in Bodyguard?No, never. In fact, I felt bad because I had refused a Salman Khan film. I had this fear of losing him from my life because there are certain people you would like to have in your life.
Do you recall your first meeting with Salman Khan?Not actually. The first time I interacted with him was during Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. The fact is I get shocked every time I meet Salman. I don't know why.
How different is he as a person now?When I used to show him steps earlier he would observe and say, 'Acha hai! Tum hi karo!'
Choreographer turned director Farah Khan had once said the less intricate steps you give Salman Khan the better it is. Is that true?No, not anymore. He wants to do new things now whether it is in dance or action. There has been a certain stereotype about his style that has been created. He wants to break his own pattern now.
You said you were choked the first time you met Salman Kahn. Why is that so?Whenever I see him, I have these mixed feelings going inside me. I don't know what it is. It's respect, love, nervousness. Am I star struck? I have no idea. I am yet to figure it out.
You recently watched Sholay in 3D with him. Did you actually want to see the film or you had to tag along because you could not say no to him. For me, saying no to Salman is a big no-no in its self. But, anything which is half heartedly done is a big no-no to me as well but I wanted to see Sholay. I had never seen Sholay in entirety before. I had always watched it in bits and parts. Before I saw it recently I used to think that Gabbar dies in the end.
Will you bid good bye to South films after Jai Ho?It won't be a bye to South films but the focus will be more on Hindi films. However if I come across a script which excites me toh main zaroor karungi.
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