Actress Amrita Rao, who started her career with Shahid Kapoor in Ishq Vishq way back in 2003 and went on to do successful films such as Main Hoon Na with Shah Rukh Khan, Deewar and Sooraj Barjatya’s Vivaah, now comes back with Jolly LLB, Singh Sahab The Great and Satyagraha.
Here’s what she has to say about her journey:
Let’s get started with you journey so far…
I think my journey so far has been very easy. And compared to so many actresses who come and struggle and see rejection and disappointment, I think I am on a bed of petals. And I just feel very blessed that God has had the best of people coming to me with work which is a rare opportunity. And especially for someone like me who is not a part of the film industry.
Is being out of the public eye part of your strategy?
I don’t follow any strategy. Since I don’t have any ‘God-Father’ in Bollywood, I am very careful and choosy.In 2010 my portfolio got little disrupted unintentionally and was unplanned. I did not decided that. Like how I didn’t decide that I will sign three films this year. There is no intention behind doing lesser work. There was always an intention of doing good work.
And you were never in the league for “Number One?”
I think I have really got out of that phase where I was young and say that I wanted to be number one. Now that I realize that, there is nothing called number one. Everybody is number one here because they all are different from each other and they all are doing different work. That is what makes you happy and satisfied.
Why do you say Satyagraha is an important film in your career?
I say Satyagraha is an important film in my career because It is a film I believe I am very proud of. The film has something to do with my personal sentiments. When the whole Anna Hazare movement happened and people raised their voices, one felt very handicapped and disabled, sitting at home and not doing anything about it. Being a part of such a film which talks about current issues, would always make me feel proud.
What was it like working with Sunny Deol in Singh Saheb The Great?
Working with Sunny Deol was like seeing all that on-screen action in real time. Seeing the efforts which he puts in to knock that one punch, was like an ‘Oh My God’ feeling. He really works very hard. It was a lot of fun watching Sunny Deol do action right in front of you.
Do you think that you require a romantic link-up, at least to boost your PR Activity?
(Laughs). I definitely feel that having a romantic link-up or flaunting your partner helps you keep in the news, but I have always kept a definite demarcation between my professional and personal life. My family and my personal life is very sacred to me and I don’t want to make it a daily soap opera for the whole world.
Do you have a personal favorite genre as an actress?
I feel that I have always been fascinated by the 50’s golden era of Bollywood. When I watch old black and white films, I feel they had this particular flair and they were so fashionable. Something about that era was very different, including the songs. I feel that in this age and time, If I get an opportunity to play a role from that era, I will gladly do it.
And what would be Amrita Rao’s fashion statement?
Fashion for me is being comfortable and confident about yourself. And you will be confident only if you are comfortable with what you are wearing.
Interview by: Vaalee Supreet