Revealing clothes do not make
a heroine successful"

SHE looks more like a cute neighbourhood girl rather than a film star. The Delhi girl has become the nation’s newest heart-throb with her debut film, Kareeb.

Kareeb has not been a big hit like Dil to Pagal Hai but Neha has been appreciated for her acting and innocent demeanour. "She is the kind of girl one would love to fall in love with," says Vidhu Vinod Chopra, director of Kareeb, about his discovery.

Pushpanjali Sahu interviewed Neha recently and asked her about her life and work.

When did you think of becoming an actress?

I never imagined that I would become an actress. I had done some television serials to earn some pocket money. That’s all. It’s all destiny. I landed the Kareeb role because I was destined to get it.

How did you get this role?

Saurabh Shukla (who plays Bobby Deol’s father in Kareeb) was instrumental in my getting a role in Kareeb. He recommended my name to Vidhu Vinod Chopra. I was called to Mumbai for the audition test, after which I was signed for the film.

Your real name is Shabana Raza, so how come you become Neha?

The name of my character in the film is Neha. When we started to shoot for the film, Vinod kept on calling me Neha and Bobby, Birju, the name of the hero. Others also followed him. Vinod liked the film so much that he decided to give me a new screen name.

What changes have you noticed in yourself after Kareeb?

As a person, nothing has changed. There are some other changes of lifestyle until recently, I lived in Delhi with my parents. Now I have shifted to Mumbai. After I have started staying away from home and parents, I have become more responsible.

How many films have you got after Kareeb?

I have not counted them on my fingertips (giggles). Seriously, so far I have not signed a single film after Kareeb, because I’m very cautious. I have got to see what kind of roles I am being offered.

What kind of roles do you want?

I want to do simple, believable roles. In fact apart from the roles it’s important what kind of people you are working with. For instance, I loved working with Vinodji. The whole unit of Kareeb was like a family. There is no pressure on you.

But all producer-directors are not Vinod Chopra. Most of them are businessmen and they exploit the heroine to mint money. How would you cope with the demands of the film industry?

I fully agree with you. That’s why I said besides the role I would be looking for a banner or director where I would feel comfortable to work in. No revealing or exposing for me. In Kareeb, throughout the film I wore salwar suits. Still I was appreciated. Revealing clothes do not make an actress successful.

How alive were you culturally during your college days?

I was into sports, sprints and relay races.

How close do you feel to the Neha of Kareeb?

In the film, Neha’s relationship with her mother is like that with a friend. I share a similar kind of relationship with my parents.

Neha’s values are perhaps my values. Like Neha’s mother, my parents too have brought me up with the same kind of values, love and affection.

Name: Vinod Khanna. Birth: October 6, 1946, Vinod Khanna started his career in Hindi films as a villain. His first film Man Ka Meet was released in 1968. Som Dutt (Sunil Dutt's brother) and Leena Chandravarkar were in the main lead. Vinod Khanna played as villain. A Subha Rao was the director of the film. It was also first film of Som Dutt and Leena Chandravarkar.

Vinod Khanna also acted as villain in Aan Milo Sajana (1970), Elaan (1971), Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Pritam (1971), Rakhwala (1971), Ek Bechara (1972), Anokhi Ada (1973), Pathar Aur Payal (1974) and Chowkidaar (1974).

During the period (from 1968 to 1974) he also acted as hero, side hero and supporting actor in so many films, but did not succeed. As a villain his films were super-hits.

But slowly he stopped playing villain and turned himself as a complete hero. Then he did Gulzar's Achanak, in which his work was appreciated.

After the success of Gaddar (1973), Kachchey Dhaage (1973), Haath Ki Safai (1974) and Imtihan (1974) he established himself as a hero.

His other hit films are: Hera Pheri (1976), Shankar Shambhu (1976), Nehle Pe Dehla (1976), Khoon Pasina (1977), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Hatyara (1977), Parvarish (1977), Inkaar (1977), Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Daku Aur Jawan (1978), Qurbani (1980) and Bombay 405 Miles (1980).

In 1982 he left the film industry and joined the (Osho's ashram) at Pune. He remained there for five years (from 1982 to 1987).

After that he rejoined the film industry. His comeback was welcomed. The first film after his comeback was Insaaf (1987), which was also a hit. However after his comeback he was never as successful as he was in the earlier period. Only two films Chandni (1989) and Farishtey (1991) were hits. The remaining 27 films were flops.

In 25 years of his career in Hindi films he has done 120 films.

In 1994 he launched his own film Himalayputra as a producer. In this he introduced his son Akshaye Khanna. After three years Himalayputra was released in April, 1997. It bombed at the box office, but Akshaye Khanna's work was appreciated. After the success of Border (June, 1997) Akshaye Khanna became a real star.

Before the recent general elections Vinod Khanna joined politics and was elected as M.P. from the Gurdaspur constituency on the BJP ticket.

— R.K. Verma