With the recently released Robot making waves, Aishwarya Rai talks about what it was like working for the second time with Shankar who directed her for Jeans and now Robot. As for sharing screen space with Superstar Rajinikanth, she says what struck her was his amazing humility. Excerpts from the interview:
You have three major films — Robot , Action Replayy and Guzaarish — releasing back to back.
It was fun for the last two years while the films were being made. For anyone, that's the most exciting time.
You are the only married actress today who has had a consistent career in Bollywood.
I would like say “thank you” but it won't be right to take delight alone in this compliment. There have been many actors who have continued to work after getting married in different decades. In recent times, it had become a preconceived notion that leading ladies would probably not work after marriage but I never paid attention to this even when I was single. I choose to be in films as a professional. I don't go around asking people what their marital status is because what matters is that they are working in their chosen careers.
With Rajinikanth playing the title role in Robot , do you have a substantial role?
When I work on a film I am not myopic about my role; I see the film in its totality. After Devdas , I have been on this trip wherein I want to ‘experience' movies. Of course, my part is important; as an actor I have to be excited about my role, but what also counts is the experience of working with the filmmaker and the team.
What motivated you to sign on Robot ?
First, it was an opportunity to work with Shankar sir again, which has been an ongoing effort from both our sides ever since he directed me in Jeans . There were many beautiful ideas which we could have worked on but my schedule didn't permit it. Again, there have been efforts in the past for Rajini sir and me to work together. So when I got an opportunity to work with both of them and on something as technically advanced as Robot , I was more than happy because my dates too could be worked out.
Was it difficult to romance a robot?
I'm kind of spoilt for choices in the film, you will have to see how things correlate and who I romance and who romances me.
What were your thoughts on robots before doing this film?
We have always been subjected to a particular imagery and stereotypical form like the ones shown to us by the toy stores.
Films with special effects have the actors enacting their roles in front of a green screen. Did you find that amusing?
Shankar had to explain lots of things during Jeans because we were taking a technical step forward. It was a first for me and it was fascinating. But over a period of time, I have done so many films where we have acted in front of a green screen.
What did you like best about working with Rajinikanth?
I have seen Rajini sir's work, I have read about it, and seen how enthralled his audiences are with what he does. It was amazing to see him do that everyday and do it so simply. Many of our colleagues are those with whom we began our careers, but though Rajini sir has experience, he comes on the sets with amazing humility and quietly surprises you with his shots. He brings a smile to your face. In Robot , he had so much work every day, including the technical aspects, that it involved another level of commitment. I recognise him as a superstar. But as a person, he is so humble.
Was it difficult to speak in Tamil?
I would take down all the dialogues for the next day and prepare. Fortunately we had an amazing group of assistants. Rajini sir was cute — each time I delivered a dialogue he would remark, ‘What Tamil!' I would respond with, ‘Sir, don't do this.' I was all confidence till he said, ‘What Tamil!'
After Ravaan and Robot you must be quite fluent in Tamil.
I'm far more comfortable about working in Tamil today. I have travelled so much, the language falls easy on my ears; I understand and I respect it and would not risk a conversation unless I'm with a very forgiving group because on a set you learn dialogues that are already constructed for you. But I'm far more confident now than I was during Iruvar and Jeans , especially the latter.
Bollywood News Service
Published - October 09, 2010 07:50 pm IST
