Soha Ali Khan" src="http://www.india-forums.com/bollywood/images/uploads/soha_ali_khan_big.jpg" align="right" border="" hspace="5" vspace="5">Soha Ali Khan has no qualms in admitting that her role in Sudhir
Mishra's 'Khoya Khoya Chand' is, by far, the most challenging role in
her career till date, ever since she debuted in 'Dil Maange More'.
Sitting in Prakash Jha's modest office, Soha confesses that it is the
first time she has been able to get her hands on a role of a glamorous
woman. "As an actor, I had so much to do in the film, especially
because I play an actor in the film. The movie is based on a yesteryear
actor," she adds. Shyam Benegal's 'Bhumika' had Smita Patil playing a
yesteryear actor, too, and Soha watched the movie very closely, to
understand her character.
Soha plays Nikhat, an actor, who is in a relationship with a writer,
played by Shiney Ahuja. To get into the skin of her character, Soha
took up Kathak lessons from Nandita Puri. She also learnt horse-riding
and sword-fighting, to prepare for the action sequences. "Nikhat is a
complex character, who is far more mature than I am. I come from a very
protective family. Sudhir told me to adopt a bit of method acting to
suit the character, since it was the in thing those days," recalls
Soha. She also listened to a lot of music from the period. Jyoti Dev
went out of the way to teach her the Urdu songs from films like 'Sahib
Bibi Aur Ghulam', and others which starred Vyjayanthimala, Waheeda
Rehman and Meena Kumari. These are the actors that have influenced the
way Soha portrays her character, although she stresses that she is not
portraying any one particular star of the time.
Working with Sudhir Mishra at such an early stage in her career is an
experience by itself. "Sudhir Mishra etches his women characters very
well. I was not only happy, but also surprised because he had a lot of
trust and confidence in me, and my capacity as an actor. It was a
fantastic experience working with a director like him," she gushes.
Her role as Sonia, in 'Rang De Basanti', got her many accolades. The
film was a turning point in her career. "'Rang De Basanti' was an
important film to be a part of. It was truly an ensemble cast, and I
liked the character of Sonia," she says. She is now looking forward to
yet another offbeat film, 'Chauraheen'. The movie deals with three
different stories, each dealing with a different city. Soha plays a
lively, energetic, and intellectual person, who lives for the moment,
and is not philosophical. "She is almost like me in many ways, though I
am practical. As an actor, I am not in favour of exploitation, whether
emotionally or physically. I have done progressive roes in films like
'Ahista Ahista', 'Antar Mahal' and 'Khoya Khoya Chand' and aspire to
carve my own niche. I am glad I have had great opportunities working
with directors like Rituparno Ghosh and Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra in
their films like 'Antar Mahal' and 'Rang De Basanti' respectively," she
asserts.
There is another film, with Sudhir Mishra, in the pipeline, much to her
delight. There is yet another one with UTV, directed by Nishikant
Kamat, who directed 'Dombivali Fast'. "When it comes to making
decisions, I do it on my own steam, though I concede that I do listen
to advice from both my mother and brother since they know the industry
in and out. I am very much the same because I am grounded. I do not let
fame affect me in any way because I do not take myself seriously. Life
is short and hence I want to have fun. However, at the same time I also
want to be remembered as a good actor like my mother and brother. I
know that the camera records you for life," Soha concludes.
Jyoti Venkatesh(SAMPURN)
Copyright Sampurn
User Rating (1 Votes)
Views 2602
If You are a member of India-forums, Then You can also log in here.