An Exclusive Interview With Juhi Babbar

Talanted, confident and glitzy is what Juhi Babbar is all about. All set to make her debut in Ravindra Peepat’s KASH AAP HAMARE HOTE opposite Sonu Nigam.

How does it feel to be an actress and recognized before your release?
It feels great. It feels good that when I walk somewhere and people recognize me and start whispering my name. But I have always been used to this. I have been the center of attraction all my life due to my father’s name as they used to speak that this is Raj Babbar’s daughter. But now that, I am trying to create my own identity in my own way, it feels good.

An actor’s daughter has to be in acting. Is that why you choose this profession?
I would be lying if I say that, I never wanted to be an actress. But I was always in two minds about joining acting as I also had a inclination towards fashion designing. I was always in awe of my father and wanted to do all that what he used to do and obviously acting was one of the most important thing among that. As I said, I was un-sure and confused weather to join National School Of Drama or go my hobby and join NIFT. As theatre was in my own house, I joined NIFT for three years and then started designing costumes for my mother’s theatre group EKJUTE. From there, I started from small roles acting in her plays. I did around four plays with her. And finally I did this film.

Did your father have any kind of reservations about you joining the film industry?
See every father will have his reservations, as they are supposed to be very protective about their children, especially girls. They would not like their girls to be in any unhealthy atmosphere and would want them to meet only right people. So, he has his share of reservations but I told them that why do I have to worry when I have you all people to take care of me?Then he saw me act in Begum Jaan and he was convinced that I could deliver the goods. That’s when he decided that he will make a film for me.

How did the film actually roll then?
Just as I said, papa was confident that I could deliver the goods, so he started working on somescript with old friend Ravindra Peepat. He rejected around 3 scripts and was not happy with them. Finally, Ravindra Peepat suggested about one of his old script, which they were supposing to make with him and the late Smitaji. At that point of time, it did not work as the script required outdoor shooting and during that duration it was a costly affair. And dad kind of clicked at the mention of that script and they all worked on it to make it topical and today’s time. That’s how it all started.

  Considering the role was written for Smita Patil. Did you not feel nervous stepping in her shoes?
Once, they told me that this is the same film which they were supposed to make and was not made as it was a costly film and Smitaji unfortunately did not live that long to do the film, the pressure started building on me. One can’t deny that fact that she was one of the finest actresses in our industry had ever produced. To top it all the film was to star dad and her and to play the character what she was playing is like a privilege for me but having said that it does not help as far as the pressure is concerned.

What’s your character in the film?
The film is a love story with a lot of emotions. I play Amrita and everyone in the film says Kash…Aap Hamare Hote, be it a friend, father, mother or my love. Everyone wants me to be his or her. After a long time this is a film where everyone will enjoy right from a small kid to an old man. Now that the film is complete, what do you think is your forte, comedy, emotions or romance? I was comfortable doing all this in Kash Aap…as the film has everything in it be it comedy, romance or emotions. But I would say that I have been pretty comfortable doing emotional sequences and I have been able to do complete justice to it. Yes I think emotions are my forte.

How was Sonu Nigam roped in as the lead man?
As I mentioned earlier, my father was supposed to play that role so for him to zero down on anyone was hell of a task. He had already rejected at least 30 boys. He used to find faults in all of them. But when someone mentioned Sonu’s name to him, he just reacted that would he like to act? It was left over to that and some magazines printed that he is playing a lead role and we all were pretty surprised over it. Aadesh Shrivastava who was doing the music for the film, said that why don’t you all actually meet up and we met and things fell in places.

I believe that you all had major hassles shooting the film?
Actually there was a great amount of pre-production work done and dad had finalized the locations as to where we are supposed to shoot and so we reached Canada but as soon as we reached there to find rain and we had to spend our time in the hotel rooms. The prediction was of bad weather for around 20 days more and so we just left the place and went to Vancouver and literally shot the film searching locations while traveling in our bus. And then there was the in famous 9-11 incident and there was chaos and problems for everyone. Omji was stuck up in London and Sharad Kapoor in New York. But touchwood, everything worked out and we had a grand 58-day schedule. And the result is there for everyone to see once the film hits the turnstiles.

  What about the music of the film? It seems pretty good
What do I say…Just hear it and you will come to know. Everyone says good things about their own film and even I will. But the fact and the matter are that it really is good. As far as I am concerned I like the song 'Chalte chalte’ very much as it has its melody and also the title track. The Punjabi track will be popular. I believe we have a mixed bag and the music is good. Touch wood.

How comfortable were you doing the dancing part and running behind the tress considering you have done some serious theatre before?
Dancing for a film is not easy as it seems. It is a specialized job. I have done my serious bit in theatre but I have also done the dancing part in a folk play and I have also done some light drama. So, in a way, it was not difficult to adjust to that. But as I said, dancing is not as easy as it seems. You have to take into consideration, the lip sync and the rhythm in a 1-2-3 format. There are a lot of technical things involved apart from the fun it has in dancing.

Are you ready for all the criticism from the critics?
I am completely aware about a section called the critics which definitely is very scary but I try not to be scared by them. I would just like to say that, we have done our work with sincerity and honesty. As far as I am concerned, we have made a film which will definitely make an impact. People will not be able to write the film off. As far as critics are concerned, I know that it is their own opinion and it is practically impossible for everyone to like the film. It’s their own opinion and I would like to treat them as it should be treated with respect. Without sounding arrogant, I would like to mention that I am pretty confident that I won’t go un-noticed.

Finally, how do you feel now that the film is soon to be released?
I am really very nervous, as I want to be accepted. On the other hand, I am confident that we have put in our heart, soul and energy in the film. Everyone has been positive and hopefully we have made a good film. I know that the industry is going through a bad shape but I can promise one thing that we have made a good film and there will not be a single un-satisfied man when he comes out watching Kash…Aap Hamare Hote. I am also very thankful to my dad Raj Babbar, Ravindra Peepat and Kishore Namitji who have played a significant part to achieve my dream.