“Oh! I was very apprehensive while using those slangs. I have never used them in my real life but I had to because the script demanded. When you will see this movie, you will understand that it is justified. The movie belongs to a certain terrain where slangs are part of their lingo,” Vidya told IANS in an interview.

The actress also revealed that she never rehearsed on the sets because of the heavy dose of slangs in the dialogue.

“I never rehearsed on the sets as I used to feel awkward. So I used to come prepared on the sets and once the director used to say action, I used to forget everything and everyone.

“All my inhibitions used to go away and I used to deliver my dialogues perfectly. This is what happens to me when the camera starts rolling,” said Vidya, who was in the capital for the launch of designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s first store here.

Set in eastern Uttar Pradesh, “Ishqiya” is a tale of romance between individuals caught in a web of crime, suspense, passion and deceit. Directed by first time director Abhishek Chaubhey and produced by Vishal Bharadwaj, the film also stars Arshad Warsi and Naseeruddin Shah.

In “Ishqiya”, Vidya is paired with Arshad and plays a village woman.

“As I am playing a rural girl, my look is very much deglamourised so that I look like my character Krishna. It is an interesting role with many shades,” said Vidya.

Dismissing rumours that some parts of “Ishqiya” are being re-shot, she said: “I don’t understand where people get these baseless news. It is complete nonsense.”

The actress, who has featured in movies like “Parineeta”, “Heyy Babyy” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa”, will soon be seen in “Paa” in which she plays superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s mother and Abhishek’s wife.

Talking about the movie, Vidya said that she thanks director R. Balakrishnan for convincing her to do this role.

“It was Balki’s (Balakrishnan) conviction to convince me to do this role. When I read the script, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to do this. But all thanks to Balki, I am proud that I am a part of this project,” she said.

Releasing Dec 4, “Paa” is an emotional story of a father-son relationship and Amitabh will be seen as Abhishek’s 13-year-old son Auro who is suffering from a rare disease, progeria, which accelerates ageing.

ASHEESH KAPUR tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that the syndrome of casting couch does exist in Bollywood and male actors are also victims…

Is ‘Kurbaan’ your debut film as an actor?

No. Though I had made my debut with the English film ‘The Other End of The Line’ produced by Ashok Amritaraj with Jesse Metcalfe, Shriya Saran, Anupam Kher, Sara Foster, Lara Miller etc, the film is yet to see the light of the day, and my claim to fame as far as Bollywood is concerned till date is the off beat film ‘Blue Oranges’. Karan Johar’s ‘Kurbaan’ directed by Rensil D’Silva, in which I have essayed the role of a terrorist along with Saif Ali Khan, is my second release, after ‘Blue Oranges’.

Isn’t it suicidal on your part to have taken up a small role as a terrorist in a film like ‘Kurbaan’, which boasts of big stars like Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Kareena and Om Puri?

I am quite happy about what I have done in ‘Kurbaan’. Though some friends of mine wondered whether it was suicidal on my part to have agreed to do a small negative role, in ‘Kurbaan’, the fact is that I do not look at my role in ‘Kurbaan’ as a risk, just because I have played a negative role in it.

How would you compare your work in both ‘Blue Oranges’ and ‘Kurbaan’?

Though I liked my work in ‘Blue Oranges’, I just loved my work in ‘Kurbaan’. As far as ‘Kurbaan’ is concerned, I could get a lot of opportunity to collaborate with various teams because it is a bigger set up and mine is a bigger role when compared to my role in ‘Blue Oranges’.

How did you bag the part in ‘Kurbaan’?

It is thanks to Rensil that I managed to get the part of the hardcore terrorist Hakil that I have essayed in ‘Kurbaan’. It was for the first time that I met Rensil through a coordinator but he told Karan that he wanted to cast me for the part because he was convinced that I could do justice to my role. I knew that it was not a major role, but then Rensil assured me that he would develop my role and make it indispensable from the film. I am glad that I trusted him implicitly, because I got a lot of appreciation from people who have seen the film.

How tough was it for you play the part of Hakil in ‘Kurbaan’?

As an actor, it was not tough at all for me to get into the skin of the character of Hakil that I have played in ‘Kurbaan’ for the simple, reason that I was born in the age of terrorism. I also made it a point to do research to find out what the target of terrorists is. When I was in the eighth standard I had seen Gulzar’s ‘Machis’ starring Chandrachur Singh and Tabu. I also saw Mani Ratnam’s ‘Roja’, which also dealt with the subject of terrorism, like ‘Machis’. Incidentally, Chandrachur Sir had actually taught me history in my boarding school- The Doon School, in Dehradun, where he was a teacher before he had taken up acting as his career.

Tell me about your acting background!

I had spent my formative years in D’dun, where I got a great platform to work as an actor with the likes of John Mason, Mrs. Phyllis Bose etc. When I landed in Mumbai, I trained with Professor Roshan Taneja for about six months to hone my acting talent and polish my latent skills under his guidance, which stood me in good stead, as an actor.

What is your approach as an actor?

I confesses that my approach as an actor is to know my lines in advance, do home work by gathering as much information from the writer as well as the director and be comfortable with all my co-actors, especially since I am of the opinion that there is no one way to acting.

How do you rate Kareena’s performance in ‘Kurbaan’?

I think after her sterling performance in ‘Omkara’, Kareena is at her best in Kurbaan, in a deglamorized avatar. The film would surely fetch her lot of acting awards all through next year.

What role did you play in ‘Blue Oranges’?

It was a murder mystery, which sank at the box office because it was a little futuristic. I played the role of Hari Prasad Goyal, as quirky odd lower middle class kleptomaniac, who is wrongly implicated in a murder. The film added to my work, though it did not run. My co-actors in the film ‘Blue Oranges’ were talented actors like Rajit Kapoor and Pooja Kanwal.

How did you bag the role in ‘Blue Oranges’?

Besides, ‘The Other End Of The Line’, ‘Kurbaan’ and ‘Blue Oranges’, I had also acted in the film ‘Monica’ in which Divya Dutta plays the title role of a call girl. It was when I was acting in ‘Monica’ with Divya and Rajit that Rajit suggested that I should give an audition for the role that I played in ‘Blue Oranges’, since he had already been zeroed in for a pivotal role for the film. I did and I bagged the part.

Do you think the syndrome of the ‘casting couch’ exists in the film industry?

The syndrome of ‘casting couch’ does exist in Bollywood and even males often end up as victims. All said and done, I’d say that you always have a choice to opt out of a tricky situation. Whoever says that the ‘casting couch’ does not exist is either scared to admit it or does not have the knowledge. In life, you do not carry grudges. I have eventually worked with even those people whose propositions I had turned down, but on my own terms.

What is your ambition?

I feel that though acting is something, which comes to me naturally and is a way of opening to the film industry; eventually I want to concentrate on making films.

“It is ridiculous to state that anyone had any personal bias against ‘Kaminey’,” Saif told IANS even as his own movie “Kurbaan” is about to release Friday with an A certificate.

“I know for sure that my mother is a great authority when it comes to the censors. My own ‘Kurbaan’ has got an ‘A’ certificate and I know where she is coming from.”

It was insinuated that Vishal Bharadwaj’s “Kaminey” was given an A rating – restricting viewership – as its lead actor Shahid was once in a relationship with Saif’s girlfriend Kareena Kapoor.

But Saif said: “Any talk of personal enmity are completely fictional. I don’t even know the actual people involved who spread such rumours and frankly I don’t care. Such things don’t even enter my radar.”

“It’s really rubbish if some people feel so. ‘Kurbaan’ getting an ‘A’ certificate is hardly a fitting reply. It’s a sad state of affairs when people start speculating about everything and anything. As someone who has been part of the industry for long, I don’t take such things seriously,” Saif told IANS.

As for “Kaminey”, he said: “I think Vishal (Bharadwaj) is a wonderful filmmaker and I liked everyone’s performance in the film.” Saif himself came up with an award-winning act of Langda Tyagi in Bharadwaj’s “Omkara”.

Is it really easy to be oblivious to all talk that his mother may have shown bias?

“I hear a lot of things in the 24 hours that I have in a day. This is why I just chuck out whatever is irrelevant. I don’t quite get into the ‘why’ and ‘where’ of affairs till it is absolutely warranted.

“I know one has to live with all the negativity around; after all it’s human nature to gossip and speculate. Guess what? Some people think that even Elvis (Presley) is alive today. So conspiracy theories will always remain,” he said.

“Kurbaan” has been given an ‘A’ certificate owing to its violent content and also because of erotic scenes picturised on Saif and Kareena. “Kurbaan”, about global terrorism, stars Saif, Kareena and Vivek Oberoi in lead roles.

“Kaminey” also got an ‘A’ certificate because of its dark and violent content.

Has he ever spoken to Sharmila about the A certificates for “Kurbaan” or “Kaminey”?

“No, I don’t talk about any particular movie per se but I do know of her general views and opinions when it comes to censoring a film,” said Saif.

“She doesn’t have any problems with anything shown on screen. But, yes, she has problems with things that are shown to children. She will ban something if there is something which is inflammatory.

“Of course, she is the right judge of things and may be I don’t know everything that she looks at in a movie during censoring. What I know for sure is that she is a good mother and follows the same caring attitude when it comes to censorship as well,” said Saif.

You recorded with the legendary Ilaiyaraaja recently?

Yes I was in his divine presence for just a few moments.

Another birthday recently went by….

Yes it was just another day another year. I am grateful and feel blessed that it means something special for those around me. The Almighty and the prayers of my loved ones and those of the millions that have supported me are to be thanked. It is because of them that I breathe and exist

67 and still going super-strong... Would you say that's a good signature tune for you?

I do not know if I am still going strong, but yes I am alive and I exist. I have never wished for any signature or tune or any fancy recognition or accolade. I am grateful for the jobs that I get and am thankful that I am given opportunity for work.

How do you assess the year that has zipped by?

I really have no recollection of what went by. I know what I am doing now. Age does have this adverse effect on one and I am no different from any other. It may seem power packed for you but for me it is just another day, another job. I endeavor to do what is assigned to me to the best of my ability.

What according to you were the most significant occurrences in your life this year? That I am still alive!

Significantly you took two months off to be with your friend Amar Singhji in Singapore. How rejuvenating and introspective did that time-off prove to be?

Yes I was with Amar Singh ji during the time he was in Singapore under treatment. I was aware that he would be going for treatment and I was aware about the amount of time he would require to recover, so I had planned all my work in a manner where I could be free to be by his side. I finished all my pending work by June and did not take up any assignments after. When his condition had improved I accepted the COLORS offer for BB3. I was in Singapore not to rejuvenate or to introspect, I was there for a friend, a member of my family while he recouped. My time there was spent being with him and monitoring his progress.

You seem to be taking time off from your movie assignments at the moment. What are your plans regarding more offers? Is it true you've decided to do only one film per year?

Because I was uncertain of how long Amar Singh ji would take to recover I did not accept any offers for film. I did not want to commit on a project the timings of which I may not have been able to adhere to. Yes, I do wish to do films and yes there are interesting offers, which I shall consider. And no it shall not be one film a year. I am not that big or important to make such decisions. It is a wonder that I am getting any offers at all.

You are back on television after creating history in KBC. How do the home medium and this new experience with Bigg Boss feel?

The experience of Bigg Boss 3 has just begun. I have been with it for too short a time to be able to completely describe its experience. But yes it is different from KBC and it gets more intricate as we move along. All I can say for the moment is that it has been a hugely exciting revelation for me. The medium and those that are attached to it work diligently round the clock and it is a marvel to see the amount of thinking and labor that goes on behind the scenes to create something like Bigg Boss. I am most impressed with that. The co-ordination and the management need all the praise there is for their unfailing effort and commitment. I am merely a tool that follows instructions, but what goes on beyond me is what needs to be recognized and appreciated.

How comfortable are you interacting with the Bigg Boss housemates?

It is good. You would need to ask the channel or the housemates what they felt. I just feel very saddened when I have to announce the person who has been voted out by public and in house processes and then later to spend time with them after their eviction. It’s much like what I used to feel when on KBC I had to inform the participant that his answer was wrong.

You've another release Paa lined up. Would you say Paa and the earlier Aladin are challenging roles?

Yes both have been very challenging. Both have been very demanding physically. At my age it gets tough.

Paa offered you a unique chance to play a child. Did you relive your childhood through this part?

Not so much my childhood, but the childhood of my children and my grandchildren. A lot of my interpretation has been picked up from what I remember of Abhishek when he was that age and from my grandchildren now as I see them grow.

Your thoughts on self and the world around?

I wish, much like all else for there to be peace and harmony. For humans to understand that we are all one and that we all have common characteristics. To understand that all faiths need to be respected, for none of them are different in their beliefs. That we are one nation, united by our independence and our sovereignty. That this world we live in belongs to all of us and we need to protect it for its survival. That a kind word and a smile never did harm anyone. That a fragrant flower decorates our lives more than the vicious odor of hate.

“There’s no particular actor that I would like to make my debut with. But I won’t like to debut with someone very new. I’ll prefer my co-star to have done at least one film…He could be a fresh face, but not really a debutant or newcomer,” Narmmadaa told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

“A lot depends on the demand of the script…so until and unless that is ready, there’s no point thinking about the co-actor,” added the youngster who created a buzz when she made her first public appearance with Bollyood star and her dad’s friend Salman Khan at the IIFA awards in 2007.

Though Narmmadaa has no personal favourites among the young male actors, she says her father keeps praising a whole lot of them.

“I have no preferences for any actor. But my dad sees all the new movies with new boys and says – ‘Wah! Kamaal ka actor hai! (Wow! He is a fantastic actor)’. So he has his own favourites,” she said.

Asked about her own debut film, she said: “We have just started scripting so it’s a little too early to talk about it.”

Her response came as a surprise especially since rumours of her debut have been doing the rounds since 2007. But the budding actress clears the air and says she has two projects in her kitty.

“This has been the biggest misconception. I was not starting any project in 2007. In fact, I was around 18 at that time and was pursuing an acting course from the Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute.

“After that, I went to the London Film Institute as well and did a make-up course. So the entire process took over a year. And it’s just now that I am beginning to do films.”

Now that she is preparing for her debut, Narmmadaa says being a star kid has its own drawbacks.

“It’s a major misconception people have that star kids have it easy. It becomes so much more difficult for a star kid because he or she is expected to be ‘over perfect’ due to the acting background. There are more expectations from us,” she said.

To avoid any pitfalls, she is also taking special diction classes.

“I’m good at speaking Hindi and English. But I just want my diction to be perfect – so I took up these classes,” said Narmmadaa, whose father Govinda speaks chaste Hindi.

Her father also keeps telling her to work hard every day.

“Dad keeps giving me lectures. He often tells me to work hard on my expressions and my dancing skills so that I can do well in future,” she said.

Vedita Pratap Singh, the latest entry into Bollywood with Shaabash- you can do it, is best described as an all rounder. This Lucknow girl is a sports person, a dancer, a model, an actor and has been an A level Student too. Her film ‘Shaabash – you can do it’ that is directed by Shankar Mondal. She is also producing and acting in a short film for Cannes, which is directed by Suchita Bhatia. The girl has done 3 music video and many commercials. her film Shaabash- you can do it, is releasing on20th November 2009. In conversaion….

Q: What brought you to glamour world?

Vedita: Actually it all happened by chance. When I won the look of the year contest by one of the leading music channels, I realized that I had some potential. Then I also won India’s Hottest contest. I got an ad immediately after that. Rest happened on its own.

Q: Was acting always your dream or did it happen by default?

Vedita: Acting happened by chance but I always knew that I will be bale to handle it. I did not do any course for acting but I think theatre was my school. I have done theatres with Mr. Kadar Khan for his stage play Taash ki Patti and travelled different parts of country as well as to Dubai.

Q: Your film ‘Shaabash - you can do it’ will be releasing this Friday. How did you get this film?

A: My acting stint with Kadar Khan had given me lot of confidence and experience. This helped me during my auditions of my character in film ‘Shaabash - you can do it.’ Apart from acting I also learned voice modulation from Kadarji which is very important part for being a good actor. It teaches you to inject emotions into your voice. Kadarji had personally taught me. Other thing I learn from Kadarji was dedication for work. Inspite of being very ill he was so promt for rehearsals and performance. I was just 17-18 at that time and this left a deep impression. I always strive to be professional to the core and respect my work.

Q: What is your character in the movie, and what is so special about movie?

A: I relate a lot with my character of Gracy. She is a happy go lucky kind of girl. She loves her friends without restrictions and inhibitions but she never puts responsibilities on them to return it. She is fun loving, strong, modern but at same times very much cultural too, just like me.

Q: your movie is releasing with ‘Kurbaan’ are scared of competition your film is going to face?

A: I can’t say anything but Saif and Kareena are super stars. To compare us new comers with them it’s not correct. But I know that we have done good work and film has shaped very well, songs are wonderful. People should come to see it for its freshness. And who knows, we might become tomorrow super star like Said and Kareena.

Q: What kind of movies you are looking forward to? And how do manage acting with modelling?

A: I am open to not only films but even for good central roles in television too. As long as they are good roles and I got to perform, it doesn’t matter. As a new comer and without god father in industry, choices are limited. I would love to play role like Priyanka did in Aitraz. Negative, but in a different way. I would love to do glamorous role.

Q: Being National Level Swimmer how it helps you to be fit?

A: I have stated Swimming at the age of 3 and still I am doing it. It’s a very important part of my life and I will give total credit to swimming for keeping me healthy and fit.

Q: You were State Level Cricketer also so are going to promote women’s cricket after achieving success?

A: I would love to, I have played stat level so I know what king of problems female cricketers face. I was from Rajastha and I have seen the careless approach of selector. When I become something I will give them some ideas to work in proper manner and try to use my influence there because I believe whatever opportunities male Cricketer are getting, if being women cricketer we got, we can do as well as them.

Q: You have music videos too. What was the experience?

Vedita: When my first video was to be shot, I was extremely extremely excited. It was very different. Music album was my dream. Hunters, was the first album and I loved doing it. Being on camera is another high for me.

Q: Little about your short film directed by Suchita Bhatia. Why did you decide to produce it? What is so unique about it?

Vedita: the entire story has a heavy social message, but more than that it is extremely different. When she told me about the script, it gave me a creep and made me realize that this can happen 5-6 years later. Today we have become extremely dependent and attached to gadgets like mobile, Lap top etc. we get irritated when we cant access it or loose it. The girl in this film kills her boyfriend when she looses her laptop. I produced it too, because I wanted to understand the producer’s point view, post production etc. I am not just an actor, there is so much to me.

Q: About yourself. What you enjoy doing?

Vedita: I love reading historical romances and murder mysteries. John Grisham, Sydney Sheldon, Agatha Christy are my favorites. I love traveling. It gives me break.

Jackie Chan and Akshay Kumar are his idols and he claims to be a long race horse. Hitesh Agrawal, a boy from Surat, had come to Mumbai with dreams and determination to make it in the Hindi Film industry. Hitesh, a student of Whistling Woods has bagged a lead role in Shabaash- You Can Do It. The film is slated to release on November 20.

In an interview with us, Hitesh talks about his experience in Whistling Woods and his experience while acting in his debut film.

What is your film ‘Shaabash You Can Do It’ all about and what is your role in it?

Shaabash-You Can Do It is an inspiring story that addresses youth centric issues such as ragging, campus feuds, interpretation of love and relationships, competition, etc. with a very fresh and simplistic approach. It’s a film of an underdog and how a loser changes into a winner. In the process of metamorphosis, my character of Neil, a small town boy goes through a sea change. Neil has come to city for studies and gains immense confidence by learning various forms of arts like yoga, gymnastics, dance etc. In fact, I find a great deal of similarity in my real and reel life character.

Could you share memorable moments from the sets while shooting for Shaabash You Can Do It?

What I had learnt from Whistling Woods was the method acting, which means that actor does what is there in script. But while shooting, I noticed that others were not just going with what was written but improvising it simultaneously. I would sit down and memorize my script. So, one day my director Shankar Mondal suggested my leading lady Mansi in the film not to rehearse with me for my scenes. Then, I would rehearse on my way to the shoot and give my best and started taking liberty with my performance at time to bring the natural influence. That was the practical training.

Who has been your inspiration for acting?

In India’s 95 percent of population aspires to become actor, so I am no exception to that. But very few get opportunity to fulfil their dream. I feel fortunate enough to get the platform to reach my dream and be an actor. Since at a very young age, I used to be in an awe of action stunts done by Jackie Chan and Akshay Kumar; I would always to dream to be in their shoes. So, to chase my dreams, I joined Shiamak Dawar Dance Academy and did theatre with Indian Drama and Entertainment Industry.

How did you move towards hard core film acting?

I gathered enough courage to seek my father’s permission to join Whistling Woods for a course of one year. And to my surprise my father gave a nod to me and due to the supportive nature of my family I gave acting a shot and joined Whistling Woods.

How did you prepare your self to be an actor?

Apart from the rigorous training which I was undergoing in Whistling Woods, I was training myself for hard core actions stunts separately as well. My day would start with gymnastic, marshal art, jumping, free running early morning on the beach and later special stunts. I am now an expert in Parkour, an art that Akshay Kumar has used for thumps up advertisement. I have also undergone four years of yoga training and practice. Currently, I am further honing on my dancing skills with Lewis Terrance.

Why was the need to go over board with your training? You could have done this all in stages?

No, I had limited time to do my training because my family would not have given me so much of grace period. I have survived on four to five hours of sleep for two years but in the end I have so much more to offer my producers. I am sure- I will be able to make a niche for myself in action.

How was your experience during Whistling Woods training?

Whistling Woods is somewhere I learnt acting. I did monolog in front of Nasserudin Shah and he awarded me the best student actor. It was so inspiring to be appreciated by someone like him and it became my driving force to work more hard. It also gave me strength to fight with every situation and increase my confidence level as an actor.

What are your criteria to select a movie?

I am big fan of Jacky Chan and Akshay Kumar for both of them compliment the genres of action and comedy excellently. They are my idols. I am too new to fiddle with the creative aspect of the script because the people associated with it are far more experienced and talented. Neither can I afford to be choosy about the scripts. Nevertheless, I am looking for a combination of good script, decent production house and a well crafted character for myself.

Nowadays there has been a flood of Star kids coming in industry so, what in will make you survive in the huge competition?

Newcomers with no film background have survived. SRK, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone Manoj Bajpai, John Abraham, Ritesh Deshmukh, Shreyas Talpade are the living examples. I am lucky- I got my first chance even before I had left the campus of Whistling Woods and now I hope for a longer innings in the industry.