'I want to work in Bengali films'

Your take on Tum Mile…

Tum Mile is a special film. Everybody’s put in their best efforts to make it successful. It’s the most beautiful film of my career till date. It’s about the struggles we face, with special emphasis on a live-in relationship set against the backdrop of the Mumbai floods. It’s a sensitive love story. We show the floods that dismantled Mumbai in 2005, and simultaneously, we show the storm within ourselves. It’s about falling and staying in love. I think the younger generation would be able to relate to it.

Did you relate to your character in Tum Mile?

She’s somebody I relate to very much. She’s a modern 21st century working woman, independent in her thinking, who respects her traditional values. She’s very similar to how I am in real life. That was one of the reasons why I decided to work in the film.

How was shooting for Tum Mile?

It was really difficult to shoot, but the saving grace was shooting in Cape Town. The beautiful locations were indeed soothing. But to shoot the floods, we had to be in a well, and the water level soared high, almost reaching Emraan’s shoulders. It was tiring, hectic, but at the same time it was interesting. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to do such a film again.

How was it sharing screen space with Emraan Hashmi, given his image?

(Laughs) I was slightly apprehensive. I know what it means to do a romantic film with Emraan Hashmi. But the story was so good that I just couldn’t turn down the offer. It was nice working with Emraan.

Saif has said that he’d love to share screen space with you. Any plans of working with Saif?

I don’t have any plans of working with Saif at the moment. I may work with him in the future. But I’ll make sure I don’t play his sister in reel life too.

Do you take acting lessons from your mother, Sharmila Tagore?

No, I don’t. I feel when you are facing the camera, you need to face the difficulties yourself. Acting is very difficult to teach. But after watching my films she (Sharmila Tagore) always gives me critical feedback. However, I think after watching Tum Mile she will give good feedback. (Laughs) I’m sure she will like it.

And does your father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, watch your films?

No, he doesn’t watch any Hindi movies. So, he never comments on our films. He’s only interested in watching cricket.

Your debut was in a Bengali film, Iti Srikanto. But you later disappeared from Bengali cinema. Do you plan to act in Bengali films?

After Iti Srikanto, I worked with Rituparno Ghosh in Antarmahal, but after that I haven’t done any Bengali movies. However, Aparna Sen and I have been discussing a film called Gaynar Baksho for quite sometime. Hopefully that will work out soon. I definitely want to work in Bengali films.

What’s next?

There’s a film called Tera Kya Hoga Jaani which is ready to release. I’m working on some other projects. But for the moment I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Tum Mile.


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