NOT AFRAID OF BEING OUTSPOKEN: BIDITA BAG
Bidita Bag opens up to NIKITA WADHAWAN about her first big movie after a long struggling period, dealing with failures and her outspoken attitude
How different is it working in Bollywood and regional cinema?
Actress Bidita Bag is extremely excited for her first commercial movie after struggling for over 10 years. For the modelturned-actor, it was a golden chance to bag the lead role in her upcoming film Babumoshai Bandookbaaz after actor Chitrangda Singh left the film. Chitrangda had complained about that Kushan’s used to say things like, “Tange ragdo aur sex karo” during her intimate scenes with Nawazuddin. Unperturbed by repeated comparisons to Chitrangda, Bidita says, “Whatever she did is good for me. This role is meant for me.” Excerpts from the interview:
Your first Bollywood movie is releasing soon. How does it feel?
It feels great. Although this is not my first Bollywood movie. I have been part of other independent Bollywood projects. This is my first commercial Bollywood movie and that too with Nawazuddin Siddiqui. I am looking forward to that part.
How was the experience of working with Nawaz?
Before we started shooting, I thought that he would be a very boring and serious person, but he is not. He is a very energetic, down to earth and an encouraging person. He even cracks a lot of jokes, and tries to make the environment friendly. It was not difficult for me to work with him, he was very supportive. The most important thing is that our mental frequency matched. Irrespective of what scene we were doing, whether it was romantic or funny, because of our comfort level, it become effortless.
What did you learn from Nawaz as an actor?
Nawaz and I have a similar story. He was struggling for 20 years I was struggling for 10 years. We have a lot of common friends and we were bitching about them. That was our favourite thing. But more than acting, his life lessons were more educational. So, I used to ask him how he dealt with failure, depression, joblessness and his answers were also unique.
Before Babumoshi… did you ever go through depression?
Yes, I went through depression. I was flooded with offers, but after my first film flopped all the offers vanished. My health deteriorated. Luckily, I came across positive people who encouraged me to live a healthy lifestyle. I read positive books and travelled which helped. We should practice to be happy.
Were you apprehensive of bold scenes?
I had a kissing scene in my first Bengali film as well, which was eight or nine years back. I had the courage and boldness. But this film is set in a rural background and it wouldn’t look real if we had a French kiss in the film. And I had never seen Nawaz kissing on screen (laughs). But it was fun to see him kiss on screen. Also, I had full trust in the director that the scene will be shot aesthetically and it was.
What went through your mind with the censor board’ s reaction to the film?
It was mixed reaction. This is my first commercial release and we all have been working hard on the project. A film is like a building and if you remove one pillar the whole building collapses. It is a very rooted story where people are very grey, manipulated and they do use such words. We have reflected our society and justified the use of everything in our film.
You are doing a role which Chitrangada Singh was supposed to do. So, were you apprehensive when you knew she was offered the role first?
Initially I was, but when I read the script I was very sure that I have to do this role. When I reached on set & saw Nawaz performing I was even more charged up and forgot all this. I don’t think anyone will miss Chitrangada. Whatever she did is good for me. This role is meant for me.
You are very outspoken and people in this industry don’t appreciated outspoken actress. Are you afraid people might take your frank attitude as an insult?
Let them feel bad, I know what I am saying. I take full responsibility of my words. I am ready for any kind of backlash and eventually people will know that I am saying the truth.
You took a sly dig on Radhika Apte about her working in Bengali cinema, do you not like that she is working there?
No, I think she is a very versatile actress and I love her. But if she can do Bengali films even I can do Marathi films. All I am saying that language shouldn’t be a barrier. I don’t mind screen space with Radhika, even don’t mind doing a lesbian scene with her. Budget is the main difference. Regional films have better content, but the good thing is that many regional directors are also working in Bollywood. So, content does not lack in Hindi cinema. Actors and directors should not look for money they should look for story.
What would you prefer doing: Regional or Bollywood masala?
If the story and the people are good I will do any movie. This world is my village.