Film Fare

COVER STORY
WHAT EXCITED YOU ABOUT
RACE 3?
I didn’t even think twice
before signing it. First of
all, it’s such a huge brand.
Secondly, Salman Khan is
in the equation. Third,
I was also part of Race 2.
So, it was only natural, I’d
be part of this one.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME
YOU’RE TEAMING UP WITH
SALMAN KHAN AFTER KICK. HOW
WAS IT WORKING WITH HIM?
I was nervous to work with
him. I’ve done five-six
movies between Kick and
Race 3. I thought I’d have
built up confidence. But
it was the same as on the
set of Kick. It was so scary.
His energy, his aura is so
strong on the set. When
you’re chilling with him,
like having coffee or a
discussion, it’s normal. But
on the set, he’s daunting.
He tries to make it as
comfortable as possible.
HOW HAS HE INFLUENCED YOU?
In many ways. The one
thing I love about working
with him is that you get
so much support and
guidance. He has been
part of the industry for
almost 30 years. He also
has the experience of his
father (Salim Khan). He
knows how things work
here. He has been through
a lot. Salman has no motive
to advise you wrongly.
His advice is genuine. He
wants nothing but your
wellbeing. His advice has
been valuable for me. How
to conduct yourself, what
the audience likes to see,
what works, what doesn’t...
I had learnt so much from
him in Kick. Now with
Race 3, I’ve grown more.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE
YOUR PAIRING WITH SALMAN?
We share a good chemistry.
We’re compatible. Salman
has known me, not many
people know this, from my
early days in Bollywood.
I was signed for Aladin
(2009) when he probably
saw me somewhere. He
asked me to meet him for
London Dreams. After
that I’d see him on and off
at parties. In the past, he
has suggested my name to
David Dhawan sir, Sajid
Nadiadwala and now
Ramesh Taurani for Race
3. And all this without my
knowing.
WHO DO YOU THINK HE PAIRS
BEST WITH ON SCREEN?
Aishwarya (Rai Bachchan)
looked so good with him in
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
It’s one of my favourite
films of his. It’s the perfect
onscreen pairing for me.
YOU’RE CONSIDERED A
FRONTRUNNER AMONGST
ACTRESS IN THE COMMERCIAL
DOMAIN...
Hmmm… Frontrunner!
I’ve been focused on
this kind of cinema. I’ve
worked my portfolio that
way. I’d say that’s my USP,
my forte.
MOST ACTRESSES ARE
EXPLORING WOMEN-CENTRIC
MOVIES, WHILE YOU SEEM
CONTENT DOING COMMERCIAL
MOVIES...
I want to do what I’m
happy doing. I don’t want
to feel forced into doing a
type of cinema just because
everyone else’s doing it. My
idea of good film is full-on
commercial cinema, where
the audience is entertained.
If I come across a film that’s
different, I’ll do it. But I’m
not going to get pressurised
into doing stuff. I’m an
entertainer. I enjoy what
I’m doing.
THE GENERAL IMPRESSION IS
THAT BEING SWEET-NATURED
AND PROFESSIONAL HAS TAKEN
YOU A LONG WAY.
It’s important to have the
right attitude. You could
be amiable, you could
be nice to work with or
you could be a real bitch!
But people will still work
with you because you’re
professional. But the
minute you’re not, they
will start moving away
from you. So yeah, the No.1
thing is the right attitude.
It’s not about being nice or
sweet or fun on the set.
DO YOU WONDER HOW FAR
YOU’VE TRAVELLED?
I always wanted to
accomplish something in
life. But I never thought
MY LOVE LIFE IS NON-EXISTENT. IF YOU’RE WORKING TILL
11 PM EVERY NIGHT, WHERE’S THE TIME FOR A LOVE LIFE?
I DON’T KNOW WHY YOU NEED SOMEONE TO COMPLETE
YOURSELF... IT’S SO UNFAIR; YOU’RE YOUR OWN
PERSON. WHY IS IT ALWAYS ABOUT A MAN?
Bralet and skirt:
Asa Kazingmei