I’m bad at publicising my work, says Pallavi Sharda

Actor Pallavi Sharda, who is busy balancing her Bollywood and international projects, rues not knowing how to spread the word and stay in the limelight. “I’m shooting a television series in Australia, which makes me the first Indianorigin actor on Australian television. I spent last two years on international projects, but it’s in my nature to keep quiet about my work. I

While growing up in the 90s, one must have been a fan of tracks, such as, Chane Ke Khet Mein and Badi Mushkil Hai that featured in the film, Anjaam (1994). As the thriller completes 23 years today, director Rahul Rawail exclaims in wonder, “Woah! It has been over two decades?” Going down memory lane, the director reminisces, “Whenever a filmmaker thinks about the film that he has already made, the first thought that comes to his mind is that he could have made it better. I am no different. Anjaam was an interesting project. It feels great when people talk about it even today. I remember when Sutanu Gupta and am bad at understanding how I need to publicise myself. My body of work speaks for itself,” says Pallavi, whose Hollywood film, Lion got six nominations in the Oscars this year. The actor was recently seen in Begum Jaan alongside Vidya Balan. However, she is upset with stories and videos that revolved around the dresses that she wore during the promotions. “In the course of promoting the film, the subject of my dress sense came up and that got million Gautam Rajadhyaksha approached me with the story, I instantly liked their idea.” This was the first film, where Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan were cast as the lead pair. And after Darr and Baazigar (1993), Shah Rukh was again seen playing a negative role. Talking about the lead pair, Rawail says, “It was wonderful directing them. They were always ready to go to any extent to make their part look convincing. Why just them, I would also like to mention Deepak Tijori [who played Madhuri’s husband in the film]. Not everyone was keen but he agreed and I think Deepak was perfect.” Talking about the climax, Rawail shares, “The ending was different. Only Shah views. I cried because I was so ashamed with corrupted minds everywhere. My father goes online to see my latest interview, and the first headline that he sees is not about my role. I feel proud of myself for wearing a dress like that. We have every right to take ownership of what we wear but stories around your dresses can really hit your confidence sometimes,” says Pallavi, who has been part of films such as Besharam (2013) and Hawaizaada (2015). Rukh’s character was supposed to die. But while working, we felt Madhuri’s character must meet the same fate, as that would add to the plot and appeal.” After Anjaam, Rawail again wanted to work with Shah Rukh and Madhuri, but says he never got script that was good enough for both of them.

Only Shah Rukh’s character was to die in the end. But, we felt Madhuri’s character must meet the same fate RAHUL RAWAIL, FILMMAKER

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