Post by Runa on Jul 13, 2008 13:09:38 GMT -5
Rani Mukerji Q & A
from BRIT MAG
Friday 27-06-2008Words: Raj Kumar
Tell us about your new film Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, and the role you play?
Well, the film is called Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, which is basically about love, and magic. The film is about two orphans who are in need of love, an angel and a business tycoon who has been possessed and never got love in his life and is in search for love. These three people then come together under one roof and how the story unfolds is basically what the film is about. I play the role of an angel in the film.
Your quite selective in roles, so what stood out to you to take this role in the film?
The role of an angel has not been played by anyone in mainstream cinema and was a role that I just couldn’t say no to. It was a tempting offer to play an angel; I mean when will I get an offer to play the role of an angel again?
I hear you have only one outfit throughout the whole film, explain?
[Laughs] Actually in fact it was the directors decision that there should be just one costume for the angel. She can change the outfit if she feels like to, but he wanted a regular feeling throughout the film with a realistic touch. I quite enjoyed wearing just one costume because we usually have to change into a couple of costumes especially within a song. But this time round it was quite enticing and quite comfortable, I really enjoyed it.
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you smile throughout the film, was this a conscious effort to change your roles a little?
Yes well I think in Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, my character is different where I cant cry so there is no way at all I can cry in this film! This was one of the reasons that made me sign up to that role because I haven’t actually laughed for a long time so I thought I should do this film!
It was great to see you on stage in Mumbai recently with real orphans, where you grabbed the headlines. Tell us how you felt working with children that day?
I really had a great time. We were quite weary and wondering what these kids would be like because it was a very spontaneous act. I wanted to get on stage with the children and dance with them and make them feel really happy because usually in these kinds of shows, the people come as an audience so we really don’t get a chance as actors to interact. So what I did, I told these people I wanted to dance, meet these kids and call them on stage one by one and select guys and girls from the audience so I did that. I was quite surprised because they had really good talents like somebody was break dancing, they were really enthusiastic kids. You would never realise that they were so out-going and a lot of them have never been on stage. Interacting with them made my day.
I’m sure it made their day too! How come we haven’t seen you in a while in the press and media, it’s rumoured that the party and event scene is not your favourite?
Actually I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t like being in that scene. I really don’t go to a lot of social do’s. I keep to myself and I’m committed to my work and my family. Where the media is all the time I really don’t attend such media functions so they [press] don’t see me as much. Its not as if I don’t go out, I go out all the time. It just the media don’t get to see where I am. I don’t talk to journalists on a day-to-day basis so they probably don’t know what I’m really doing. That’s what makes them think where is Rani? I’m absolutely out there and making new films.
It was said that yourself and Saif Ali Khan and had a few differences before the film, was this a better experience working with Saif?
Saif and me are great friends and we get along like a house on fire. We both are very fond of each other as co-stars and he respects my work and I respect his and we kind of inspire each other. Because I don’t have the time to clarify, these rumours just build up.
We didn’t see much of Rani Mukerji in 2007, so what do you seek to achieve with Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, if I was to say you could either had have critical acclaim or massive box office hit?
Right now I really want a massive box office hit, that’s definitely on the agenda. But critical acclaim is always welcome because we get to know what they like [audience] and what they don’t like. With a box office you know that the audience have loved it, so that’s most important in the life of a star.
Akshay Kumar and yourself were paired for many films, you rejected the roles, do you regret not starring in some of his big hits of last year?
No at all. I always said that the films I’ve said 'no' to doesn’t naturally mean that I didn’t like the film or the script but probably not liking the role. I wouldn’t want to be part of a film where I wouldn’t be proud of my work. Hopefully, we work together because Akshay and I keep joking that ‘oh my god when are we going to do a film together’.
After one of your biggest hits to date ‘Black’ you received great critical acclaim and recognition, but initially I hear you turned down the role, tell us why?
Again that was a rumour. There’s definitely no way I could turn down a role like that and was coming from a director like Sanjay Leela Bhansali so there’s no question in rejecting a role like that.
For an actress, you had the guts to take on tough roles that can either make or break you, from 'Black' to 'Bunty Aur Babli', to 'The Rising'? Thankfully you’ve nailed all movies, but did you ever see taking these types of roles quite risky?
First of all, in fact I find more challenging to take up these kind of role quite because I feel as an actor its always good for an actor’s life to take up more challenging roles otherwise you get bored from doing the same thing again and again and again. If you want to grow as an actor you have to do different kinds of movies and different kinds of roles.
Do you feel you are under a certain pressure to keep churning out super critical roles not allowing you to take up safer roles?
There are no safe or unsafe roles. You know it all depends upon how much enjoyment and how much happiness you encounter in your particular kind of roles. If I enjoy my role in the film I definitely know I will enjoy playing that role then I think my audience will definitely enjoy watching it.
I hear Shah Rukh Khan is your number one co-star; tell us why King Khan holds a special place in your heart professionally?
Professionally because I learnt a lot from him in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ as I was barely a newcomer and he was a superstar. He really helped me grow as an actor from the kinds of films I have done with him like from ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Khabbi Khushi Khabbi Gham’ to ‘Chalte Chalte’ to ‘Phaheli’ to ‘Veer Zaara’ and ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.’ I have grown as an actor working with him as working with a co-star like Shah Rukh; it infuses you with so much energy. I think that’s a really precious thing that a co-actor can take after working with him [Shah Rukh Khan]. I guess with Shah Rukh, it been a learning experience and the knowledge passed while on set does not naturally have to be professional, if we are sitting around just chatting over a coffee, there’s so much to learn from him.
If I was to say which has been you most important movie to date, what would the answer be?
I would say ‘Black’. I would not want to call it my favourite but I would it is definitely one of my favourite films and is definitely one role I don’t think I could have played better. There are other roles where I feel I could have played them a little better than I did in terms of my performance. ‘Black’ though is one role where I really don’t think I can do again.
I hear your cutting down your roles; tell us what would excite you to take up a new role, what role out there are you dying to play?
Actually I haven’t in fact, you know what happens nowadays when I do a film it takes like a lot of time for me because I play a lot of central characters in the movie, so what happens is I have to give a lot of time to that character and the last films I had were ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’ and ‘Saawariya’ and after that I filmed ‘Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic’ which is ready for release now. For the last 3 months I’ve been refurbishing my house because my house was getting built for the last 3 years. So these last 3 months have been quite crucial for me because if I hadn’t given time to it then it wouldn’t be done. It was a conscious decision. But after I finished working on Kunal Kohli’s film [TPTM] I completed my house and I’m going to start working on my new film on set on July 18. I don’t think I have taken much time off; I really need a holiday actually!
After all the countless awards and hit films, what else do you want to achieve in Bollywood or Indian cinema?
I think the biggest achievement would be that I keep on doing good films and good roles. And the audience keep giving me their undivided love so I basically acting is my life and my absolutely love so I cant be away from it for too long. The biggest achievement I would say on my deathbed is achieving the love from my fans that’s the most important thing as my achievement.
You haven’t hit Hollywood just yet, if you were to cross over to Hollywood, who would be your favourite co-star be?
I would love to cross over to Hollywood and star alongside Tom Hanks. He’s great.
You’ve pretty much cemented your status as one of Bollywoods most powerful actresses; tell us what it takes to be a leading lady in Indian Cinema?
I guess you have to have a clear heart and be really really sincere at your job and you have to really love your craft. That’s about it really
Quickies!
If you weren’t an actress what would you be?
I think I would be a mother with two kids
What’s the biggest misconception people about you?
The biggest misconception is that I am engaged and married. I am very very much single.
So what does Rani Mukerji look for in her ideal man?
He definitely must have a good sense of humor and he must be really really cute!
What do you do to relax and have fun?
I play with my niece and I watch a lot of television and just lay back and right now it’s raining heavily in Bombay so I’m enjoying the rain in my new home.
Rani Mukerji stars in ‘Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic’ in cinema’s nationwide now
from BRIT MAG
Friday 27-06-2008Words: Raj Kumar
Tell us about your new film Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, and the role you play?
Well, the film is called Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, which is basically about love, and magic. The film is about two orphans who are in need of love, an angel and a business tycoon who has been possessed and never got love in his life and is in search for love. These three people then come together under one roof and how the story unfolds is basically what the film is about. I play the role of an angel in the film.
Your quite selective in roles, so what stood out to you to take this role in the film?
The role of an angel has not been played by anyone in mainstream cinema and was a role that I just couldn’t say no to. It was a tempting offer to play an angel; I mean when will I get an offer to play the role of an angel again?
I hear you have only one outfit throughout the whole film, explain?
[Laughs] Actually in fact it was the directors decision that there should be just one costume for the angel. She can change the outfit if she feels like to, but he wanted a regular feeling throughout the film with a realistic touch. I quite enjoyed wearing just one costume because we usually have to change into a couple of costumes especially within a song. But this time round it was quite enticing and quite comfortable, I really enjoyed it.
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you smile throughout the film, was this a conscious effort to change your roles a little?
Yes well I think in Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, my character is different where I cant cry so there is no way at all I can cry in this film! This was one of the reasons that made me sign up to that role because I haven’t actually laughed for a long time so I thought I should do this film!
It was great to see you on stage in Mumbai recently with real orphans, where you grabbed the headlines. Tell us how you felt working with children that day?
I really had a great time. We were quite weary and wondering what these kids would be like because it was a very spontaneous act. I wanted to get on stage with the children and dance with them and make them feel really happy because usually in these kinds of shows, the people come as an audience so we really don’t get a chance as actors to interact. So what I did, I told these people I wanted to dance, meet these kids and call them on stage one by one and select guys and girls from the audience so I did that. I was quite surprised because they had really good talents like somebody was break dancing, they were really enthusiastic kids. You would never realise that they were so out-going and a lot of them have never been on stage. Interacting with them made my day.
I’m sure it made their day too! How come we haven’t seen you in a while in the press and media, it’s rumoured that the party and event scene is not your favourite?
Actually I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t like being in that scene. I really don’t go to a lot of social do’s. I keep to myself and I’m committed to my work and my family. Where the media is all the time I really don’t attend such media functions so they [press] don’t see me as much. Its not as if I don’t go out, I go out all the time. It just the media don’t get to see where I am. I don’t talk to journalists on a day-to-day basis so they probably don’t know what I’m really doing. That’s what makes them think where is Rani? I’m absolutely out there and making new films.
It was said that yourself and Saif Ali Khan and had a few differences before the film, was this a better experience working with Saif?
Saif and me are great friends and we get along like a house on fire. We both are very fond of each other as co-stars and he respects my work and I respect his and we kind of inspire each other. Because I don’t have the time to clarify, these rumours just build up.
We didn’t see much of Rani Mukerji in 2007, so what do you seek to achieve with Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, if I was to say you could either had have critical acclaim or massive box office hit?
Right now I really want a massive box office hit, that’s definitely on the agenda. But critical acclaim is always welcome because we get to know what they like [audience] and what they don’t like. With a box office you know that the audience have loved it, so that’s most important in the life of a star.
Akshay Kumar and yourself were paired for many films, you rejected the roles, do you regret not starring in some of his big hits of last year?
No at all. I always said that the films I’ve said 'no' to doesn’t naturally mean that I didn’t like the film or the script but probably not liking the role. I wouldn’t want to be part of a film where I wouldn’t be proud of my work. Hopefully, we work together because Akshay and I keep joking that ‘oh my god when are we going to do a film together’.
After one of your biggest hits to date ‘Black’ you received great critical acclaim and recognition, but initially I hear you turned down the role, tell us why?
Again that was a rumour. There’s definitely no way I could turn down a role like that and was coming from a director like Sanjay Leela Bhansali so there’s no question in rejecting a role like that.
For an actress, you had the guts to take on tough roles that can either make or break you, from 'Black' to 'Bunty Aur Babli', to 'The Rising'? Thankfully you’ve nailed all movies, but did you ever see taking these types of roles quite risky?
First of all, in fact I find more challenging to take up these kind of role quite because I feel as an actor its always good for an actor’s life to take up more challenging roles otherwise you get bored from doing the same thing again and again and again. If you want to grow as an actor you have to do different kinds of movies and different kinds of roles.
Do you feel you are under a certain pressure to keep churning out super critical roles not allowing you to take up safer roles?
There are no safe or unsafe roles. You know it all depends upon how much enjoyment and how much happiness you encounter in your particular kind of roles. If I enjoy my role in the film I definitely know I will enjoy playing that role then I think my audience will definitely enjoy watching it.
I hear Shah Rukh Khan is your number one co-star; tell us why King Khan holds a special place in your heart professionally?
Professionally because I learnt a lot from him in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ as I was barely a newcomer and he was a superstar. He really helped me grow as an actor from the kinds of films I have done with him like from ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Khabbi Khushi Khabbi Gham’ to ‘Chalte Chalte’ to ‘Phaheli’ to ‘Veer Zaara’ and ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.’ I have grown as an actor working with him as working with a co-star like Shah Rukh; it infuses you with so much energy. I think that’s a really precious thing that a co-actor can take after working with him [Shah Rukh Khan]. I guess with Shah Rukh, it been a learning experience and the knowledge passed while on set does not naturally have to be professional, if we are sitting around just chatting over a coffee, there’s so much to learn from him.
If I was to say which has been you most important movie to date, what would the answer be?
I would say ‘Black’. I would not want to call it my favourite but I would it is definitely one of my favourite films and is definitely one role I don’t think I could have played better. There are other roles where I feel I could have played them a little better than I did in terms of my performance. ‘Black’ though is one role where I really don’t think I can do again.
I hear your cutting down your roles; tell us what would excite you to take up a new role, what role out there are you dying to play?
Actually I haven’t in fact, you know what happens nowadays when I do a film it takes like a lot of time for me because I play a lot of central characters in the movie, so what happens is I have to give a lot of time to that character and the last films I had were ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’ and ‘Saawariya’ and after that I filmed ‘Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic’ which is ready for release now. For the last 3 months I’ve been refurbishing my house because my house was getting built for the last 3 years. So these last 3 months have been quite crucial for me because if I hadn’t given time to it then it wouldn’t be done. It was a conscious decision. But after I finished working on Kunal Kohli’s film [TPTM] I completed my house and I’m going to start working on my new film on set on July 18. I don’t think I have taken much time off; I really need a holiday actually!
After all the countless awards and hit films, what else do you want to achieve in Bollywood or Indian cinema?
I think the biggest achievement would be that I keep on doing good films and good roles. And the audience keep giving me their undivided love so I basically acting is my life and my absolutely love so I cant be away from it for too long. The biggest achievement I would say on my deathbed is achieving the love from my fans that’s the most important thing as my achievement.
You haven’t hit Hollywood just yet, if you were to cross over to Hollywood, who would be your favourite co-star be?
I would love to cross over to Hollywood and star alongside Tom Hanks. He’s great.
You’ve pretty much cemented your status as one of Bollywoods most powerful actresses; tell us what it takes to be a leading lady in Indian Cinema?
I guess you have to have a clear heart and be really really sincere at your job and you have to really love your craft. That’s about it really
Quickies!
If you weren’t an actress what would you be?
I think I would be a mother with two kids
What’s the biggest misconception people about you?
The biggest misconception is that I am engaged and married. I am very very much single.
So what does Rani Mukerji look for in her ideal man?
He definitely must have a good sense of humor and he must be really really cute!
What do you do to relax and have fun?
I play with my niece and I watch a lot of television and just lay back and right now it’s raining heavily in Bombay so I’m enjoying the rain in my new home.
Rani Mukerji stars in ‘Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic’ in cinema’s nationwide now