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Juhi Babbar raring to go
How does it feel to be an actress and be recognised? It feels great. It feels good that when I go somewhere, people recognise me and start whispering my name. But I have always been used to being pointed out as Raj Babbar’s daughter. Now that I am trying to create my own identity, it feels good. Did you choose this profession because your father is an actor? I would be lying if I say
that I never wanted to be an actress. But I was always in two minds
about joining acting as I also had an inclination towards fashion
designing I was always in awe of my father and wanted to do all that he
had done, which obviously included acting. I was unsure and confused
about whether to join the National School of Drama or go to NIFT.
Ultimately, I joined NIFT. Since theatre was being pursued in my own
house, I started designing costumes for my mother’s theatre group
EKUTE. Since then I’ve been doing small roles in her plays. I did
around four plays with her. Then this film came my way. |
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Look, fathers do have reservations as they are protective about their children, especially girls. They do not like their girls to work in an unhealthy atmosphere. My father also had his share of reservations. But when he saw me act in Begum Jaan, he was convinced that I could deliver the goods. That’s when he decided that he will make a film for me. Considering that the role was written for Smita Patil. Did you feel nervous about stepping in her shoes? Smitaji was one of the finest actresses our industry has ever produced. Originally, the film was to star dad and her so, to play a role that was meant for her is a privilege but that doesn’t lessen the pressure on me. What’s your role in the film? The film is a love story. I play the role of Amrita to whom everyone says: Kash.... Aap Hamare Hote, be they friends, that father, the mother or the lover. Everyone wants the girl to be his or her. This is a film which everyone, right from a small kid to an old man, can enjoy. What is your forte: comedy, emotions or romance? I am comfortable doing all these genres and Kash Aap is a mix of all: comedy, romance and emotions. But I would say that I am more comfortable doing emotional sequences. How was Sonu Nigam roped in as the lead man? Since originally, my father was supposed to play that role, it was difficult for him to zero down on anyone. He had already rejected at least 30 boys. Then someone suggested Sonu’s name. Adesh Shrivastava who was doing the music for the film, suggested that we actually meet up with Sonu. We did and things just fell in place. I believe that you all had major hassles shooting the film? Actually, dad had finalised some, locations in Canada for shooting. But when we reached Canada, there was incessant rain and we were confined to our hotel rooms. Since the bad weather was supposed to last for 20 days more, we just left for Vancouver. We literally shot the film searching for locations while travelling in our bus. Then 9/11 happened and there was chaos. Omji was stuck up in London and Sharad Kapoor in New York. Luckily, everything worked out well and we had a grand 58-day schedule. How comfortable were you dancing and running around trees considering that you have done serious theatre before? Dancing for a film is not as easy as it seems. It is a specialised job. I have done serious stuff in theatre but I have also danced in a folk play and also done some light drama. So, in a way, it was not difficult to adjust to that. |
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YOUNG,
glitzy and bubbly is what Juhi Babbar is all about. All set to make her
debut in Ravindra Peepat’s Kash...Aap Hamare Hote opposite Sonu
Nigam, Juhi is a bundle of nerves as she makes her debut. However, she
is confident that her portrayal will establish her as an actress of
calibre. In an exclusive interview, she speaks about her entry into the
film industry.