Her life, her rules

Talented to the core, the almond-eyed beauty Amisha Patel is a misunderstood girl and deserves much more than she has on her plate, feels VICKEY LALWANI after a candid talk

She is neither a starkid nor has a Godfather in the film industry. Whatever success and fame that Amisha Patel has achieved in the past three years, is surely the result of her hard work and perseverance.

Excerpts from an interview:

How satisfied are you at this point in your career?

Quite. I have done quite a few genre of movies in just three years time-Kaho Naa Pyar Hai (romance), Gadar - Ek Prem Katha (patriotism), Humraaz (thriller), Kya Yahi Pyar Hai (social) and Yeh Hai Jalwa (comedy) among many others.

Do you agree that star children have a readymade runway to take off?

Absolutely. They have the right connections and they get many chances to prove themselves. Their influential parents are a big asset to their careers. Unlike them, we are often considered as good as our last film.

Are you open to doing sexy films like Jism?

My image is such that filmmakers don’t think of me when they conceive bare-all dare-all roles. I am working with ethical people and not sleazy C-grade banners. Most of my roles represent a normal Indian girl. Well, I am not averse to exuding sensuality. The dividing line between sensuality and sexuality is very thin, but I can see it.

Isn’t that costing you some roles?

I will leave the film industry but will never say goodbye to morals, ethics and decency. Those who think that I have become an actress to keep my kitchen fire burning, this one is for you!

You are known not to do PR which is important to go ahead in Bollywood?

I don’t believe that PR helps one to go ahead. At the end of the day, an actor’s work speaks. PR might help to give just the first one or two films. Instead of wasting my time on a frivolous exercise like PR, I prefer to read, write, travel, attend cultural programmes and focus on my roles.

Recently, there were even rumours that you were shifting South?

Ridiculous. I have done two South films but that does not imply that I am shifting my base from Mumbai. Even Manisha Koirala, Tabu and Kajol have done South films. Did they need to move away with bag and baggage? Some unprofessional writer pens a gossip and soon it becomes the talk of the town.

Of late, why did you opt out from projects like Arranged Marriage and Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo?

In case of Arranged Marriage, it was a dates problem. The dates of Arranged Marriage and Elaan were coinciding. I had signed Venus’ film Elaan eight months ago and I had to give first priority to it. In case of Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo, I had some problems with the director Anil Sharma. I had done his Gadar- Ek Prem Katha and considered him as my family member. He treated me very badly. I would not like to elaborate on this, because he is not important to me anymore. One thing is clear - I will never work with Anil Sharma in future.

How do you react when you hear rumours about Vikram Bhatt and you being in love?

That’s one of the oldest rumours. I have stopped reacting to it.

You were said to be the cause of the break-up between your brother Ashmit Patel and his girlfriend Amrita Arora?

My family and I loved their relationship and none of us was ever opposed to it. I know where the fault lies. But I don’t want to say disrespectful things which would harm the person concerned.

Your forthcoming projects?

Mere Jeevan Saathi with Akshay Kumar, Humko Tumse Pyar Hai with Arjun Rampal and Bobby Deol, Elaan with Mithun Chakraborty, Rahul Khanna, John Abraham and Arjun Rampal, Nani (Telugu film) with Mahesh Babu and a few others which are still on the negotiation table.