Post by nisa on Apr 19, 2008 23:31:07 GMT 12
Ajay got sidetracked into acting: Kajol
Rajiv Vijayakar in a candid chat with Kajol about U Me Aur Hum, Ajay Devgan, little Nysa and more.
She’s the last of the female super-stars. And we would request the Aishwarya-Rani-Priyanka-Kareena brigade to not take that personally. And what do we mean by superstar? Well, apart from calibre and charisma there is the third 'C' - commerce. Kajol sells on her own and thus makes a difference to the film’s market-value and opening draw, come Baazigar in 1993 or her last release Fanaa in 2006.
She is effervescent, restless as she occasionally gets to her feet, answers a few queries standing and then plops down again into the plush office sofa. Volatile as per her widely-accepted image, Kajol somehow gives the impression that there will be no second chance if we ask her something she would not like to answer. Happily, every question is given thoughtful due and we proceed as smoothly as the cruise liner in her new release-cum-home production-cum-husband Ajay Devgan's directorial debut U Me Aur Hum.
Excerpts from an interview:
U Me Aur Hum is obviously special. But was the heroine’s role designed for you?
Actually, as the script progressed, at one point I said, ‘I am doing this film!’ Ajay agreed that I was the best choice! But I do not think that even subconsciously they had kept me in mind just because Ajay was the hero and producer-director.
Ajay wants to give a message through the film on love at first sight and the permanence of marriage.
I do believe in that too. This is the story of three couples, each in a different relationship. The film is about how we must work on relationships on a daily basis and how we usually stop doing that. And we have to work daily, not just on one Valentine’s Day! Man creates problems, but no problem has ever been bigger than man.
Any examples on how Ajay and you work at this?
If you give the right importance to your relationship you keep doing it. You can’t put a finger on something and say ‘I do this’ or ‘I never do that’.
Has Nysa’s arrival or doing the film brought a change in both of you as human beings?
Nysa’s arrival has made me calmer, happier. Ajay is a complete doting father, dancing to her tunes— sometimes literally! And Ajay and I have one more topic to talk about— Nysa! I think that our relationship grows every day.
But that’s it. The film’s message is not just about love between a couple but about every relationship— with your mother, sister or friend too.
Your next home production Toonpur Ka Superhero and Mr Khan are on the way. Are you now open to do more films again?
I am working on slowing down even more because I want to give still more time to Nysa. I want to be with her till her education is complete. Work is just a part of my life, it’s not a priority. I have never been ambitious anyway, like I will never turn director because I am too laidback. But I have goals beyond films. I need to become a better person. I have goals for Nysa and I am interested in what she is growing up to be.
And let me clear this misconception. I have not signed Karan (Johar)’s Mr Khan. I have not yet read the script and I will decide after I do so.Toonpur… is exciting because it is a mix of live characters and animation.
To come back to U Me Aur Hum, how do you rate Ajay as a director?
He’s very good indeed. Ajay wanted to be a director since he was…umm, maybe 8 years old? I think that he was sidetracked into acting! Still I think that he is a better director for having been an actor - and a very good one too. He’s worked very hard on the film. Ajay was very clear of what he wanted, and of course we had a bound script. And so he was very convincing on the sets.
Ajay and you have done seven films now, besides so many ads. But Rock-N-Roll Family is your first television show together. What made you guys take it up?
We have been offered shows in the past and we have come in as judges or guests on a few. But what we liked about the show was the concept and the family values in it. We especially liked the message that age is not a deterrent for anyone to contribute to a family's growth and achievements. For us too, family is paramount.
Your choice of films, happily, has always been mainstream cinema.
I have never believed in films being categorised, especially in this day and age when every kind of superb script is working at the box-office. But I hate morbid and dark movies, and I will never do films that I will not like to watch myself. That’s my choice!
There are over-hyped talents who come across essentially the same even in extreme roles like a terrorist and a simple village girl. But you essentially do the same role in most films and yet etch different and memorable characters. What's the secret?
Like I said, I have believed in all my films. I have always gone for strong scripts, my directors have worked on me, and my co-stars and everyone else have helped. (Narrows her eyes) Maybe I have also contributed a little bit too! I have always believed that every role has scope for a great performance. It’s up to you what you do with it.
After Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and you there has been no female superstar.
Why heroines, I think that the era of stars and star-system is over. Yes, there are a few heroes who sell, but they are the exceptions. The business has changed completely, so has the audience point of view. And change is important. Indian filmmakers are at their creative best today. So much young blood is flowing in, which is great.
You are perceived as being very moody, very mercurial. What has created that image?
Maybe it’s because I don’t suffer fools gladly, for I have no patience with stupidity.
Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/...8041262336.asp
Rajiv Vijayakar in a candid chat with Kajol about U Me Aur Hum, Ajay Devgan, little Nysa and more.
She’s the last of the female super-stars. And we would request the Aishwarya-Rani-Priyanka-Kareena brigade to not take that personally. And what do we mean by superstar? Well, apart from calibre and charisma there is the third 'C' - commerce. Kajol sells on her own and thus makes a difference to the film’s market-value and opening draw, come Baazigar in 1993 or her last release Fanaa in 2006.
She is effervescent, restless as she occasionally gets to her feet, answers a few queries standing and then plops down again into the plush office sofa. Volatile as per her widely-accepted image, Kajol somehow gives the impression that there will be no second chance if we ask her something she would not like to answer. Happily, every question is given thoughtful due and we proceed as smoothly as the cruise liner in her new release-cum-home production-cum-husband Ajay Devgan's directorial debut U Me Aur Hum.
Excerpts from an interview:
U Me Aur Hum is obviously special. But was the heroine’s role designed for you?
Actually, as the script progressed, at one point I said, ‘I am doing this film!’ Ajay agreed that I was the best choice! But I do not think that even subconsciously they had kept me in mind just because Ajay was the hero and producer-director.
Ajay wants to give a message through the film on love at first sight and the permanence of marriage.
I do believe in that too. This is the story of three couples, each in a different relationship. The film is about how we must work on relationships on a daily basis and how we usually stop doing that. And we have to work daily, not just on one Valentine’s Day! Man creates problems, but no problem has ever been bigger than man.
Any examples on how Ajay and you work at this?
If you give the right importance to your relationship you keep doing it. You can’t put a finger on something and say ‘I do this’ or ‘I never do that’.
Has Nysa’s arrival or doing the film brought a change in both of you as human beings?
Nysa’s arrival has made me calmer, happier. Ajay is a complete doting father, dancing to her tunes— sometimes literally! And Ajay and I have one more topic to talk about— Nysa! I think that our relationship grows every day.
But that’s it. The film’s message is not just about love between a couple but about every relationship— with your mother, sister or friend too.
Your next home production Toonpur Ka Superhero and Mr Khan are on the way. Are you now open to do more films again?
I am working on slowing down even more because I want to give still more time to Nysa. I want to be with her till her education is complete. Work is just a part of my life, it’s not a priority. I have never been ambitious anyway, like I will never turn director because I am too laidback. But I have goals beyond films. I need to become a better person. I have goals for Nysa and I am interested in what she is growing up to be.
And let me clear this misconception. I have not signed Karan (Johar)’s Mr Khan. I have not yet read the script and I will decide after I do so.Toonpur… is exciting because it is a mix of live characters and animation.
To come back to U Me Aur Hum, how do you rate Ajay as a director?
He’s very good indeed. Ajay wanted to be a director since he was…umm, maybe 8 years old? I think that he was sidetracked into acting! Still I think that he is a better director for having been an actor - and a very good one too. He’s worked very hard on the film. Ajay was very clear of what he wanted, and of course we had a bound script. And so he was very convincing on the sets.
Ajay and you have done seven films now, besides so many ads. But Rock-N-Roll Family is your first television show together. What made you guys take it up?
We have been offered shows in the past and we have come in as judges or guests on a few. But what we liked about the show was the concept and the family values in it. We especially liked the message that age is not a deterrent for anyone to contribute to a family's growth and achievements. For us too, family is paramount.
Your choice of films, happily, has always been mainstream cinema.
I have never believed in films being categorised, especially in this day and age when every kind of superb script is working at the box-office. But I hate morbid and dark movies, and I will never do films that I will not like to watch myself. That’s my choice!
There are over-hyped talents who come across essentially the same even in extreme roles like a terrorist and a simple village girl. But you essentially do the same role in most films and yet etch different and memorable characters. What's the secret?
Like I said, I have believed in all my films. I have always gone for strong scripts, my directors have worked on me, and my co-stars and everyone else have helped. (Narrows her eyes) Maybe I have also contributed a little bit too! I have always believed that every role has scope for a great performance. It’s up to you what you do with it.
After Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and you there has been no female superstar.
Why heroines, I think that the era of stars and star-system is over. Yes, there are a few heroes who sell, but they are the exceptions. The business has changed completely, so has the audience point of view. And change is important. Indian filmmakers are at their creative best today. So much young blood is flowing in, which is great.
You are perceived as being very moody, very mercurial. What has created that image?
Maybe it’s because I don’t suffer fools gladly, for I have no patience with stupidity.
Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/...8041262336.asp