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‘THERE’S A FEAR OF LOSING YOUR IDENTITY, IT’S SCARY’
Anjali Shetty
Actor Neha Dhupia wants everyone to work towards conservation of the planet as it troubles her that we will be leaving behind a world with so many issues for the next generation. There are little things that she has incorporated in her daily schedule, like water conservation and energy efficiency etc. “Simple things like, using water effectively for my bath as well as Mehr’s bath. So, she has a realisation that it is not something to be wasted. It troubles me that we will be leaving a planet that is deprived of basic amenities. I am not okay with it,” says the Tumhari Sulu (2018) actor, who was in the city to conduct auditions for an adventure reality show.
Neha adds that contrary to popular belief, Angad (Bedi, husband) and she lead a very normal life with Mehr. “She wakes up to bhangra with her daddy on a Diljit Dosanjh song. She doesn’t get everything she points her finger at. I use only wooden toys for her. I use hand-me-down clothes for her. She was introduced to a beach clean-up at a birthday party. So, every morning, she does want to pick litter during our walks. We are trying to raise a good human being and nothing else matters,” says Neha. She shares that they are not striving for a lot of things that “people may imagine them to be”.
On choosing her projects and taking work decisions, she adds that it is more about whether the work is worth staying away from her daughter for 12 hours. Neha explains, “There was a time when I took up whatever came my way. Now, my choices depend on what I would like to do and whether it is worth my time.”
So, is she conscious about her daughter questioning her choice of movies later? “Well, I believe that strong independent women raise strong independent women. So, I will try and set up as many great examples for her. But if she decides otherwise, it is completely her call,” concludes Neha.
Nishad Neelambaran
He has worked in a variety of films, but John Abraham has always been identified with his macho characters. Films such as Dhoom (2004), Force (2011), Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018), Satyameva Jayate (2018), Romeo Akbar Walter and Batla House (both 2019), have only carved a niche for him. The model-turned-actor, who ended the last year with Anees Bazmee’s Pagalpanti, talks about how actors need to be socially responsible, why it is fair to judge a movie by its box office collection, and more. Excerpts:
How do you switch from a serious role to a lighter one?
It’s tough. I did Pagalpanti after Batla House. I remember in the first few days of Pagalpanti, I went to Anees, and told him I need time. It took me two to three days to find my space. It is easy to impress people with action sequences... something I can do in my sleep. But making someone laugh is all about comic timing. Fortunately, I learned it early in my career.
As an actor, do you like to live with the character?
I do take the character home if I am doing an intense film. Like ACP Sanjeev Kumar, in Batla House, I lived with that character for a very long time. There is a fear of losing your identity at times, it’s scary.
It is 18 years since your debut, how has the journey been?
It’s been interesting. The best part is that I’m a very secure person. The language and audience of the films have changed, and today’s audiences accept the films I do.
Does the actor in you still get nervous before the release date?
Not at all. When I give the first or second shot of a film or when I sign up for it, I know the kind of business it will do. At times, I know it will be a sub ₹50-crore movie, but I’ll still do it.
Will we see you in the digital space any time soon?
I would find it, at least at this point of time, a little difficult to move into the digital space. I’ve made it very clear to people
As an actor, you of course want to get meaty roles which excite you. I get so many messages and phone calls from people appreciating my performance.
ACTOR
that John Abraham means large screen.
Do you think it is fair to judge a movie by its box office collections?
A film has to be commercially viable and that’s how the trade gauges you. But more than the money it makes, let me use the right term — return on investment (ROI). If I make my film for ₹30 crore and it makes ₹100 crore, it’s fantastic. But if I make my film for ₹200 crore and it makes ₹200 crore, it’s not really fantastic.
As an actor, how important is it to be socially responsible?
It is extremely important. We are a country where 60-65% of our population is below the age of 40. You are not just a model, you are a role model here. Say the right things and shut up if you don’t know what to say.
Do you feel the way women are portrayed in Bollywood has changed over the years?
Satyameva Jayate had an item song. Sometimes you have to do things according to what the film demands. I want to make socially relevant films, but we’re yet to come to a time when studios won’t say, ‘The numbers on this film are going to be this much if it’s a woman.’