JACQUELINE FERNANDEZ, who is making her debut as an actor with Aladin, tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that Katrina Kaif is not what she is today just because of Salman Khan

How would you describe your role in Aladin?

I play the role of a very sweet and normal college girl called Jasmine in Aladin. She is not a princess like in the fable. Jasmine is not some one who has a distinct personality. Jasmine possesses the qualities of a princess in a fairy tale, though she is not a princess in Aladin. I did feel a little bit of pressure because people know who Jasmine is and I’d have to live up to the expectations. Luckily I had no comparisons. I had to set a standard for Jasmine. That way it was a challenge for me.

Do you think it has been very easy for you to bag your break?

To be honest, I have been extremely lucky. I think I have my own genie who has granted me my wishes. There are many talented young girls who find it very difficult to get a break in Bollywood. I am indeed because within just a month of my coming to Mumbai, I succeeded in getting my big break and now have my foot in the door

How did you bag Aladin?

I did go for an audition for Aladin. I should confess that it was my first and worst audition. In fact, I thought that it would be the last time that I had faced the camera. I messed up my lines and giggled. The casting director asked me to talk about a happy and sad event in my life. I guess I sounded true when I narrated my sad moment, because I tried to be true to the character. I was told that I was on board the film the same evening.

How did you prepare for your part?

The brief that I got from director Sujoy Ghosh was that I should not try to get too much into my character but just be natural. I do not think I prepared for the role. I prepared for the scenes, read the script many times day and night and did the rehearsals.

Considering that you are a Sri Lankan national, how were you influenced by Bollywood?

It may sound clichéd, but the fact is that right from the age of 7, I wanted to be an actress. I should confess that I have been influenced a lot by Bollywood, because I used to make it a point to watch all Bollywood films, in addition to International films, since Sri Lankan films were never shown in Bahrain. I grew up in Bahrain and moved to Panipitiya outside Colombo, where my parents stay, after schooling

How would you compare Bollywood with Hollywood?

I do not know how to compare Bollywood with Hollywood. All that I can say is that I chose to make my debut in Bollywood with a film like Aladin. Bollywood stands on its own with its different way of sending out message to the public. In terms of emotions, acting is difficult. Bollywood is a little more emotional than Hollywood because the actors are blessed here to have the chance to let themselves loose and touch the hearts of the people.

How was the experience of sharing the screen with an actor like Amitabh Bachchan?

Just to be in the same frame as Mr Amitabh Bachchan was more than what I could have asked for. Riteish told me that he had spent his entire life to be with Mr Bachchan, whereas I was lucky to have had the opportunity to be withy him in my very first film. Mr Bachchan has been my source of inspiration from day one, because I learnt by being in his orbit. Mr Bachchan is very polite and kind but probably opens up only when he knows a person better.

Are you scared that you may be slotted as a foreign actress?

I am scared but, I hope that I am not slotted because I want to be different. If you are just perceived as a foreigner, you tend to get limited chance because there will be the tendency to cast you as a NRI or a modern day woman. It is always a big challenge for an actor to essay different roles.

To what extent, are you game for exposure as an actress?

I think there is a very fine thin line between exposure and over exposure. You, as an actor have to judge what suits you. I have absolutely no problem at all as far as exposure is concerned, if it justifies the role. In that case, I would be ready to do what it takes to take the message to the audiences.

How did you find Sujoy Ghosh as a director?

Sujoy is wonderful. I love the relationship that he shares with his actors. I love his spirit and the positivity which he brings on the sets. What I like about him as a director is that he does not at all shout and is very relaxed. His nature rubs off on his actors and brings life to the sets.

Do you think Katrina has set the trend of foreign actresses making it big in Bollywood?

Yes. Katrina has proved every one wrong by being an example of a hard working woman who is dedicated and passionate to her work. I do not think she is today what she is just because of Salman Khan. It will be unfair to attribute her success to Salman Khan. Why would a director invest millions of rupees for the sake of Salman Khan in Katrina? Kat brings in so much into the table.

What is your role in Jaane Kahan Se Aaye Ho Tum?

I play the role of an alien in Jaane Kahan Se Aaye Ho Tum. I come from Venus and crash land into Riteish’s arms. It is a very sweet story. I play a girl who comes in search of true love. Since Riteish also has been in search of true love all his life in the film, together we set out on our crazy journey to find out love.

Have you found out your true love in life?

All that I can state is life is too spontaneous to be able to make a plan and hence I take life as it comes along.

 He carved a niche for himself in filmdom with non-starrers like "Makdee" and "Maqbool". But composer filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj now says star presence is extremely important for a film's box office success and that he is trying to rope in Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan for his next movie.

"I think stars are very important to reach out to the people. Along with that they are good actors as well. I think Shah Rukh (Khan) is a very fine actor, so is Aamir (Khan), Hrithik (Roshan), Saif (Ali Khan) and even Shahid (Kapoor)," Bhardwaj told IANS.

"If the audiences love them and they don't mind coming to the cinema halls to see their faces and their costumes, then that's good because we can tell a story through them," added the director who teamed up with big stars for "Omkara" and "Kaminey".

He made his directorial debut "Makdee" (2002) with Makrand Deshpande, Shweta Prasad and Alaap Mazgaonkar. The only big name in the cast was Shabana Azmi.

Two years later, Bhardwaj came out with his highly acclaimed movie "Maqbool", an adaptation of Shakespeare's famous play "Macbeth". It didn't boast of a star line up either -- Pankaj Kapoor, Irrfan Khan and Tabu formed the cast.

But his next directorial venture "Omkara", again based on Shakespeare's play "Othello", was bejwelled with big names like Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu and Vivek Oberoi.

His latest hit "Kaminey" too had Bollywood stars Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.

Now Bhardwaj is trying to sign Hrithik and Priyanka for his next venture. "I am in talks with Hrithik for a film but nothing is confirmed at the moment. However, Priyanka is confirmed for that project," he informed.

The 49-year-old started his Bollwyood innings as a composer for Gulzar's "Maachis" (1996) followed by movies like "Satya" (1998) and "Chachi 420" (1998) before taking on the director's mantle. He has proved his versatility as a music composer, singer, writer and filmmaker.

When asked what among these gives him maximum creative satisfaction and enjoyment, Bhardwaj said: "Enjoyment keeps changing. When you are making a song and it turns out to be very good, then you enjoy that process and that gives you creative satisfaction.

"Similarly, when you are making a film, you keep struggling on it for seven-eight months to set it right and finally when you see the result then that too gives you creative satisfaction and enjoyment. Satisfaction, happiness, enjoyment are all very momentary. They keep changing," he said.

Bhardwaj was in the capital to attend the 11th Osian's Cinefan Film Festival and said that such festivals are imperative so that movie aficionados can see entire films without any censorship.

"People need to see the entire films. Normally, the censor board cuts half of the film; at least there is some place where we can see the film without censorship," he said.

He also feels that censorship should be a personalised thing. "We should be our own censor boards. It should not be imposed on us. This censor board came from the British because they didn't want the Indian movement and Indian struggle to be seen by others, but somehow laws in our country don't change," he rued.

Just when you thought he was working on the script of his directorial venture "Sapno Ko Ginte Ginte", the multifaceted Amol Gupte reveals he has a bank of 17 scripts ready with him and that his next movie is "Stanley Ka Dabba".

"I have 17 locked scripts with me. I have written and completed them all. Some of them are 'Happy Diwali', 'Underbelly' and 'Stanley Ka Dabba', which is my next," Gupte told IANS in an interview here.

But wasn't "Sapno Ko Ginte Ginte" his next?

"The script for 'Sapno Ko...' is yet to be locked. I think that will take a backseat as of now. The film is about the large economic disparity among children and I want it to be told. It should transcend barriers; therefore I want to start shooting it once everything is in place," added the scriptwriter-director-actor.

There were reports that Gupte, who made his acting debut with "Kaminey", was trying to rope in Salman Khan for "Sapno Ko Ginte Ginte". Asked about it, he said: "I won't comment on that, but we need a star for the film."

"Stanley Ka Dabba" is already on floors, said Gupte, who was here for the 11th edition of the Osian's Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema.

"I have started directing it. I won't like to reveal anything about the film except that I am also acting in it to give it some value with a few actors from the industry," he said.

Gupte is planning to release "Stanley Ka Dabba" next year "when children could watch it during summer holidays".

Just like "Taare Zameen Par" that was initially directed by Gupte before Aamir Khan took over, both "Stanley Ka Dabba" and "Sapno Ko..." are also children-oriented films.

Gupte, who used to earn Rs.30 per day once, is producing "Stanley Ka...".

"Production is not such a big deal. With your wits in place, you can get it through. And money is no problem, when a film brings in Rs.140 crore ('Taare Zameen Par'), then every second person looks into it (considers you) because of an unfortunate herd mentality," said Gupte, who is also a painter and musician.

Asked about his bent towards children's films, he said: "Nobody works for them; so someone will have to. I'd like to address children cinema and pay respect to the children friends I have. It's a continuous experience with them and all my films will be around them," he said.

He recently made a 10-minute documentary "Aansu Bane Moti" with, for and by children.

Former Miss India Neha Dhupia, who flashed a million dollar smile while sashaying down the ramp Sunday at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) for designer Kavita Bhartia, wonders why models don’t flash a smile during catwalk.

“I have always wondered why models always walk the ramp with a straight face. Why don’t they ever smile? Even during my modelling days, I used to wonder about it,” Neha said after the show.

“But then I guess, if beautiful models will start smiling, they will completely take the show away from the designer’s clothes,” she added.

Dressed in a black ruffled dress teamed up with a bust jacket-like top with metallic gold embellishments on it, Neha delivered a perfect catwalk sans any extra drama on the stage.

“I was very impressed with Kavita’s collection and I was eyeing this gold jacket when I came in. I didn’t know it was for me. I was really glad that she had planned that I will wear it,” said Neha.

The actress, who is awaiting the release of her film “De Dana Dan”, was not even a wee bit nervous before walking the ramp. “I was excited,” she said.

Talking about her movie, she said: “‘De Dana Dan’ is an out and out comedy. It has a lot of people in it. The phrase – ‘The more the merrier’ perfectly suits it. But I hope people enjoy the film.”

Neha, who has been chosen by Hollywood actress-singer Jessica Simpson to be the Indian Beauty ambassador for her TV show “Price Of Beauty”, has five films in the pipeline to be released within six months.

It includes “Raat Gayi Baat Gayi”, “Pappu Can’t Dance Saala”, “Raftaar 24X7″. She will also feature in Vipul Shah’s “Action Replay” along with Aishwarya Rai and Akshay Kumar.

“Action Replay is expected to release next summer,” she said.

 Bollywood veteran Jaya Prada, who walked the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) ramp for designer duo Ashima-Leena here Saturday, says though she was nervous about the catwalk at first, she felt like a “queen” once she stepped on stage.

“I felt on top of the world while walking on the ramp. I was really very nervous before because I have never done it before but once I was there I felt like I’m the only one there. I felt just like a queen,” Jaya told IANS after the show.

The 47-year-old actress, who featured in films like “Sharaabi” and “Sargam” and is an MP, didn’t look a wee bit nervous as she took to the ramp wearing a differently styled, multi-coloured and floral salwar-kameez.

Her hair was tied in a bun and ornamented with two real pink lilies.

Though she Indianised her catwalk a bit to match the tune of the background song “I have a dream”, she looked extremely excited about being a showstopper.

Jaya Prada says she had fun while dressing up in the outfit, applying make-up for the show and setting her hair for the show.

“Even if I am into politics now, I am still an actress….and I like dressing up. I think it’s fine if politicians go in for a bit of glamour at times,” she said.

Besides Jaya Prada, Ashima-Leena had also brought former cricketer Kapil Dev and chess champion Tania Sachdev to sashay across the fashion runway.

While Kapil wore an olive green kurta-pyjama with leaf motifs on it, Tania looked young and chirpy in a short, balloon-like dress and gave a shy smile on the ramp.

The designer duo were promoting “Go green, go Delhi, go haute” through their show.

While on one hand, their clothes reflected nature through colourful floral motifs, the sportsmen brought alive the idea that there must be environmental consciousness among all to create a greener Delhi for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010.

“We wanted to be different and spread a message for everyone through fashion,” Leena told IANS.

Vipul Shah is least perturbed about the downright pathetic box office response that MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA has generated. Though there have been murmurs once again around the box office pull of Salman Khan (considering the fact that his latest film couldn't even garner a face saving initial), Vipul Shah comes up with a strong reasoning in defense of his leading man from LONDON DREAMS.

"Audiences have smartened up today and they know what they would get to see in the film. In case of MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA, they could sense from the very beginning that Salman was only in an extended special appearance. Now they all want to see him in a full fledged role and this is why they made beelines for WANTED that has enjoyed such a terrific run ever since it's release. They want their stars to have the movie rest on their shoulders and when a movie gives them anything lesser, they look for other options", argues Vipul who is quick to confirm that Salman is the hero of the film, just like Ajay Devgan, and has a full fledged role in LONDON DREAMS.

Another example that he shares is that of BILLU where Irrfan Khan was the central protagonist instead of Shah Rukh.

"Salman fans had all the right reasons to believe that MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA was akin to BILLU as far as the screen space given to their favourite hero was concerned", says Vipul, "Otherwise how else can one explain the fate of BILLU which didn't open well in spite of Shah Rukh having a song and dance routine with as many as four gorgeous actresses? The movie had such brilliant music but still it failed to bring in audiences."

"This is the reason why I am not at all worried about LONDON DREAMS since from day one, the right perception has been created for audiences that Salman is a key protagonist in the film", says Vipul, "He is one man who can get audiences if they smell from distance that what is he going to give them. I hope that the right messaging has gone to the audiences already."

Never mind that his production house Dharma Productions has just delivered a big hit in "Wake Up Sid". Director-producer Karan Johar says he has matured over the years and box office collections are no longer the only driving factor for him.

"Frankly, I am over and above box office today. With age and some dose of maturity coming in, I truly believe that I have grown as a filmmaker and hence I am not just looking at crores out there," Karan, 37, told IANS in an interview.

Karan has half a dozen films lined up for release in the months to come. After "Wake Up Sid", debutant Rensil D'Souza's "Kurbaan" is next. He is also speeding up Tarun Mansukhani's animation flick "Koochie Koochie Hota Hai" and "Dostana 2".

Siddharth Malhotra's "Stepmom" remake is already on floors while debutant director Punit Malhotra's "I Hate Love Stories" is in pre-production stage. Newcomer Karan Malhotra has been entrusted with directing an "Agneepath" remake.

Karan's own directorial venture "My Name Is Khan" would be releasing in early 2010.

With so many projects in the pipeline, is it really easy for him not to think about box office collections?

"I guess numbers just get lost after a point in time while the quality of a product is remembered. I have learnt that the remembrance a film gets is far more important than what you end up gaining in the first weekend.

"A living example is 'Wake Up Sid'. Yes, it opened well but what is even more heartening is that it is still being loved and watched weeks after its release. That excites me," said Karan.

His claim comes with enough validation here. After the mega Diwali weekend that saw "Blue", "All The Best" and "Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna" fighting for screen space, "Wake Up Sid" was kept on hold. The Ranbir Kapoor-Konkona Sen Sharma-starrer did have two bountiful weeks.

Karan is happy to be following the mantra of making quality films without worrying much about the cash register.

No wonder many first-time filmmakers working with him are happy to be in an environment that challenges and motivates them to make something worth remembering.

"I never ask my directors to give me a film that would fetch me Rs.80, 100 or 120 crore. Once you do that, you only end up putting pressure on the poor guy. Instead, I want them to focus entirely on the subject in front of them and leave the box office in the hands of audiences.

"This is what Ayan Mukerji did with 'Wake Up Sid' and look at how he has passed with flying colours, both critically and commercially," said Karan with a tone of appreciation.