Line of Beauty- Rekha

Q-1: So what is that attracted you to your role in Sadiyaan?

My instincts! Sadiyaan is a heart reading story about old world values.Its especially relevant in todays times when they are being eroded. They need to be put into practice. The film looks ate different aspects of the parent-child relationship and family bonds. Its about people who have lost a lot in life, but they still retain their spirit, their humanity and family values. That appealed to me. Also the environment in which the movie is made is important to me. There should be respect and reverence for filmmaking, also there should be an understanding of how actors should be treated. With colleagues like Rishi Kapoor, Hemaji and a director like Raj Kanwar, I had that environment.

Q-2: How relevant is a story about old world values in todays times?

Its a film based from the 40s to the 60s. But the message it conveys is timeless. And its relevant today more than ever. Also a lot will depend on how the story is presented. And I think Raj Kanwar has shown that he has the ability to do it. He has based being a typical emotional Punjabi, he has written the script with much love. Incidentally, I play a Sardarni, a first for me and it was an interesting experience. My dear friend Neetu Singh Kapoor is a Sardarni, so I drew on many of my memories of her mother for the role.

Q-3: Interesting Rishi Kapoor, your onscreen husband, plays a Sardar once again after Love Aaj Kal. So what was the experience like working with him?

Its always fun when hes around. He used to pull everyones leg, mine and Hemajis in particular. Whenever Hemaji and I would talk in Tamil, hed take off on us and declare. Yahan sirf Punjabi boli jaayegi (Only Punjabi shall be spoken here) On the sets, hes such a natural, its a joy to see hum at work. The way he responds to your lines is an inspiration; he lifts your performance to another level. Hes the perfect co-star, he never tells you what to do, just convey it through his eyes.

Q-4: Hemaji and you share a long time bond, dont you ?

I absolutely adore HemaJi. Though shes older to me, I feel very protective about her, she has vulnerability and innocence that makes me wants to cuddle her and protect her. Above all, shes so normal and believe me, thats such a rare commodity today. She still breaks into innocent giggles, which is so endearing. What I love mot about her is that she has realised all her dreams. She has directed a film, she has become a producer, she dances so beautifully and performs on stage, she promotes art and culture and she has two wonderful children, shes really done it all. Even her involvement in politics never ceases to amaze me.. she has done that with such strength and dignity.

Q-5: And how is she on the sets?

I must say that she amazed me all over again. While she is as graceful and beautiful as ever, she has grown by leaps and bounds as an actress. She plays a Pakistani and her Urdu accent was flawless. She has played her role to the T.

Q-6: Shatrughar Sinhas son Luv makes his debut in the film, was he overawed by the presence of three stalwarts on the sets?

Ive seen Luv in diapers, so we were very protective about him. Rishi used to give him a lot of advice. But he once confessed to me, Im so scared of hum, maam. And I told him, Good! There should always be one person youre scared of. I have carried Luv and Kush in my arms, and here I was listening to a touching story of a mother-son relationship and Raj Kanwar told me that he was thinking of casting Luv as the son. He said it would be Luvs first screen mom. I didnt have to act at all. The emotion would come straight from the heart. And I have to say this: what a well brought up child Luv is! He speaks shudh Hindi; hes so respectful and infused with Indian culture. Of course being a young boy, he has his iPod and all that but he has a very traditional core. He could well have been the reincarnation of the original Luv from the epic Ramayana.

Q-7: But what do you think about his acting skills?

I was pleasantly surprised to see that his acting style is very underplayed. Also that his style is different from Shatrujis. Hes very much his own person. I like that hes very conscientious too. Even f a take was Okayed, he would want another one. I can do better, hed say, welcome to the club. I told him. Actors always feel that they can do better than the final take.

Q-8: Shatrughan Sinha has always delighted in taking pot-shots at you. Didnt that colour your attitude while working with his son?

Oh God, this question sounds like a gossip magazine. This is Filmfare were talking about. Firstly, Ive never had differences of opinion with him. I didnt consider his remarks as pot-shots towards me. If one has known Shatruji for as long as I have then you would know that its his childlike sense of humour which has absolutely no malicious intent. I always do what my heart says. Whenever I have met him, hes always been consistent. Otherwise, how would I have done Khoon Bhari Maang with him? Also his home production, Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai, which is to be released shortly. Weve worked together. Its my nature; I dont focus on the negative, So if he says something, which sounds rude to another person, its only his warped sense of humour. Everybody has a point of view and everything is subjective and relative. Men will always be boys. Besides you should focus on the positive. There is so little time to love, where is the time to hate? You dont get time to meet your loved ones. The whole world loves me, theres barely time to return their love. So why should to return their love. So why should I return about these trivialities?

Q-9: And how was it working with Raj Kanwar?

He is really the coolest guy. His favourite line is Koi gal nahin ji (no problem). Whatever the crises, even if the earth shook under his feet that would be his reaction. So shooting with him was a no-stress affair. I have nothing but happy memories of working on this film. The performances of mine that I remember are the ones that connect to me emotionally, that bring back the happy times with the people I worked with. Sadiyaan is one of those films. For its conviction and simplicity, yet the effective way in which Raj Kanwar told his story. I just pray that people will remember this role of mine too.

Q-10: what are the things you discovered about yourself when you faced the camera this time around?

I believe I was an actor even before I released I was one, not only because of my genes but because I think each and every one of us Is an actor in our own right. Sometimes you act as a daughter, sometimes you act like a client, sometimes as an employee. Sometimes you act like a enemy even when youre not. Sometimes you have to be. I think that its the prerogative as a human being because this entire world is a stage and we are all just puppets whose strings are handled by somebody up there. I believe that. So nothing has really changed for me. And may I add thought acting comes naturally to me. Its not necessarily easy.

Q-11: It doesnt come easily? You could have fooled us.

No its not easy to be a friendly when you dont want to be. Its not easy to be an enemy when you dont want to be in that sense acting is difficult. But you cant help but the human beings. Just as you cant deny death and you cant deny birth, you cant deny that acting is just a word. We are all performers. Sometimes you perform for vanity, sometimes you perform to soothe someones soul and sometimes you perform for monetary reasons, for livelihood.

Q-12: Have you ever performed for monetary reasons?

Thankfully not. To start with I was bestowed with, not a golden spoon in my mouth, but I had treasure and luxury and there was decadence of being not royalty, but I had very very classy parents and they brought me up with such values. Koi kami nahin thi. (There was no dearth of anything.) Im not talking about opulence and affluence; ours was a very middle class family environment even though my mom (late actor Pushpavalli) was a star. But I was instilled with very very strong Indian values. That is what is represented in Sadiyaan too, which is what appealed to me.

Q-13: So does acting become a chore for you after all these years?

No, never; is going to a mandir a chore? Never, never if that were the case I wouldnt have lasted here for so long. And not just survival, Ive never believe in survival. I have believed in living every role, Ive believed in living every moment of my life. Merely surviving is not my forte.

Q-14: So tell what drives you after all these years to give your best and to look your best in the business?

Nothing needs to drive me, I just am. Because I just cant help but be myself. I dont believe Im any more or less unique than my fellow human beings, the only difference I think is that Ive found the tools to be able to tap into my strengths. And Ive been using them for the past 30 years and thats a long time to practise. I dont think about it. This is me. So why would I want to think about it or analyse it? But let me tell you, which will make a difference. When you dont try too hard to be something youre not, everything falls into place Basically, I m a very grateful person. I focus on the things for the now. That makes a difference. And mainly it is also because I have been a late bloomer in every area. As a human being, theres sense of wonderment ever now, vulnerability is not a vice anymore for me. And its slowly dawning upon me that there are so many more possibilities.

Q-15: Would you say that Sadiyaan is your comeback film?

See there we go again practically, every five year there is a film of mine and it said that its my comeback film. They said after Ghar when Khoobsurat was released. Then came Muqqadar Ka Sikander, and the critics said Wow! Shes arrived big time. And when Umrao Jaan got the recognition after my National Award, that too was my comeback film. And after Khoon Bhari Maangs phenomenal success, they said shes arrived once again. Arrey arrived from where? Then when Aastha was released after that, they said the same thing. After five years when Lajja came believe it or not, they said..

Q-16: Comeback film?

Exactly, you said it! My last release Krrish was of course of tremendous success but I certainly dont consider it my comeback film.

Q-17: Thats because the curiosity value about you is alive even today. Dont you think so?

Its not intended to be that way. Of course, people say why dont you do more films? You should be seen more often. I dont deliberately create this mystery, ke main thoda thoda dose deti hoon (I give in small doses) like a time release pill. I literally take-up every film that comes my way. Except when I instinctively know that this person is talking advantage of me and is using my name, mere kandhe pe banduk rakh kar mernewali baat (Hes shooting from my shoulders). I will not succumb to such tactics, in my case, timing is the key. I believe as and when its needed things will be bestowed on me, be it film or otherwise. Because at the end of the day, its not just about the movies, its not just about the movies; its the experience that I carry in my heart and relish.

Q-18: How would you analyse yourself on screen today?

Believe it or not, I actually cringe when I see myself on screen. Not that Im critical or even have an opinion. Its just that my stands are very high. Like my performance in khiladiyon ke khiladi was not up to my standards but you guys loved it and even gave me the Filmfare Award for it. I enjoyed working in Kudiyon Ka Zamaana but the whole world including the critics tool it personally and shredded the file to bits, they asked me, Maam how could you do a film like that? I say as an actor every film is my baby and Im equally proud of it. Even if my child turns out to be handicapped I dont believe in disowning it. Its my responsibility for life. I will nurture it, protect it and will stand by it for life. Because its my sweat and blood, its my joy, an integral part of me. Also my gurus in this craft are stalwarts, the best in the business. So I better live up to the expectations of my predecessors and fans. I think 40 years is a long time in the same profession. So its a huge responsibility to give nothing but my best. Im terribly humbled by the reaction of my loved ones which makes me want to be better than the best.

Q-19: Would you say this sense of joy and wonderment is what keeps you so alive, so young?

Most certainly, but mind you it comes very naturally to me. Its not like I bombard myself that today I have to create a sense of wonderment in me or make an effort. I know its all there inside me and from time to time, say in a within me. Then I find that the force intervenes and makes me rise like a phoenix. The key is the the intention should be pure then be rest assured that the results will be pure magic, many a time while switching channels, I catch some film of mine randomly playing on television and Im like, Yeh shot kab diya tha. Not bad yaar. Because people have given me so much unconditional love that I feel I must love up to it. One must not demand respect but must be able to command it. Ive always believed in earning that. And thats tough which is why I cant imagine myself charging a fee for cutting ribbons.

Q-20: Why not? You are a legend today. And youve earned the right to utilised your name. Dont you think?

You cant put a price tag on a true artiste. You cant market true emotions. Thats like selling your soul. Thats not me. Having said that, I am well aware that I possess the power to make a difference and my word carries a lot of weight. Like Id rather inaugurate something just for personal relations. But not otherwise, Im still in the process of discovering various mediums to share my creativity and thoughts, but ones incentive is not only monetary for sure. Like I dont need to endorse a wrinkle cream just because theyre paying a phenomenal amount. People like my mother, Indira Gandhi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle are my inspiration. Look at Dillip Saab. He hasnt done a single ad or TV serial till date. And how much hes revered even today. Unbelievable. I want to be like Dillip Kumar.

Q-21: What do you think of the present generation actors?

Its a new generation. There are a whole lot of youngsters whom Im so proud of. Im really envious of them because they are way ahead of what we used to be at their age. We used to be so hilele dulele (clueless) we had no clue of what we were doing. It took us a good 10 films to get our beariungs. Im so proud of Bebo (Kareena Kapoor) and thw ways she conducts herself. And for that matter Vidya Balan. She shone in her very first film, without any godfathers or film background. Fantastic! Look how Ranbir was carried the Kapoor legacy forward. Ive so much to learn from them.

Q-22: Who among the present girls reminds you of yourself?

None. Thank God I am not reminded of myself; they are way ahead of me. Look at them in their first and look at me in Saawan Bhadon. Of course, they all have their uniqueness but the plus point is that they are also my forte. They know how to market themselves. It comes naturally to them. I cant do it. I am shy; my nature comes in the way. Todays world functions on networking and all that. But then theres another section of youngsters who are the wannabes, the whats-in-it-for-me generation. Who lack the patience and want to make it big making all the wrong choices. That kind of desperation can be fatal. Sadly they chose the wrong path and the repercussions are deadly and the price is too high to pay. The lessons easily learnt are easily forgotten. But I dont believe in preaching, I believe in sharing. I believe in making people joyous. There is no end to the quest for creativity. There is no end to originality.

Q-23: You embody all this.

Its very gracious and generous of you to say that. I havent even reached the tip of the iceberg. And its not my humility speaking. Its my reality. Thats the way I see it. Dont get me wrong. Im well aware of the power that I exude. You know its never too late to change. When I was 30 I said Im mature now and will dress up soberly. I never thought I will wear so much jewellery or Ill wear these modern clothes, herve leger dresses and become a fashionista at this stage for me, age doesnt feature in my life. Its a number and even time doesnt feature in my life. Its important for practical purposes, to get from point A to point B.

Q-24: How do you retain your positive attitude?

Thats the way I am. Remember, positive energy is the key. Preserve all positive energy and repel all the negative energy. You do your best and leave the results to nature. The more you practice, it becomes more of you. Its the typical example of practice makes one perfect. Like the saying, Apne mann ka hot oh achcha, nah o to aur bi achcha (if things happen according to your wishes its good, if they dont its better). Coz He knows best.

By Anuradha Choudhary