An Exclusive Interview With Amisha Patel

With huge box office hits like 'Kaho na pyar Hai' and 'Gadar'. Amisha has proved that she not only has looks but also has talent. She achieved success in a very small period.

After two blockbusters to your credit, were you disappointed with the box-office performance of Tanuja Chandra's 'Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar'?
Well, not every film is going to be a 'Gadar'. Not every film is going to do super at the box-office. But we have to try different things. We have to try – sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail. But until you've tried and given the audience something different, how will you know? It was amazing to work with Tanuja Chandra. I've learnt so much – I've grown by leaps and bounds in terms of my performance. I'm very happy about doing her film.

Was that the only reason you did the film – because of Tanuja?
Yes, and because of her conviction that a heroine can be the central character.

Are you planning to do more films on the lines of 'Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar'? Is it a deliberate attempt to also have a toe-hold in realistic, off-beat films which does help in establishing a serious actress image?
No. I am even doing a David Dhawan film, which is the furthest from parallel cinema. I just do any film that takes my fancy. The choice is not actively made, I don't manipulate. If I like the film I do it, I don't think any more. I'm not doing any other films of that kind, but there are other performance packed films, where the script does revolve around the heroine. Like Abbas-Mustan's thriller with Bobby Deol and Akshay (Kumar) and Bunty Soorma's film with Bobby Deol and Arjun Rampal. Even Hrithik's film 'Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage' has a lot of scope for performance even though it's a romantic film

How do you relate to Tanuja Chandra's style of working?
She's a hard task master, but she's very sensitive too. Being a woman, she can understand your emotions. She's very witty. And she won't take things lying down. She doesn't rest until she gets what she wants.

Have you ever had an argument with her on the sets?
Never. We've always tried it both ways. If there was something I didn't agree with, I'd do it her way and then my way. Ultimately, the director is the captain of the ship – you can't argue.

Do you think the Indian film industry is very chaotic in its way of functioning?
Oh, it's very chaotic, very disorganized. And people don't look beyond the film circle. And it's very sad. You know, their vision is so limited because of their lack of knowledge. The functioning is very bad, and that's why I think people indulge more in politics and gossip, because they have no other hobbies and lesser things to concentrate on.

What would you recommend to turn things around in the industry?
I'd recommend a more disciplined approach, respecting timing, having regular shifts, having a twelve hour turnaround. I mean, here, we sit and work and work and work. I think you should sign a contract where you finish your film in a shorter time, in a start-to-finish schedule. Here there are films that stretch out to three years – which is ridiculous.

Since you've worked with Salman Khan in 'Yeh Hai Jalwa', what do you think about the allegations against him of being undisciplined? Did he ever misbehave with you?
No he didn't misbehave with me at all. Well, as far as timings are concerned, a lot of people have… but we never over-shot, we never had to extend a shift because of him. We never worked late nights because he came in late or anything like that. We packed up on time, we've even packed up before time.

What about the allegations against him?
Well I can't comment because I don't know how true they are. He was great towards me. He was very helpful, very lovable, very sweet. I didn't find anything wrong with him at all. Maybe I also command a certain respect from people and they know their limitations as well. People also know that I'm not here because of the money or They know my background. They know the difference between people. And intelligence always intimidates a man. But he was very friendly, very warm.