Sunday, June 15, 2003		In The Spotlight

Lara’s new Andaaz
Lakshmi Menon

WITH Sunil Darshan’s Andaaz, yet another beauty queen is following in the footsteps of Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai. Former Miss Universe Lara Dutta is paired with former Miss World Priyanka Chopra in an "unusual love triangle" with Akshay Kumar wedged in between as the hero.

"I play a tomboy who is somewhat of a dada in her neighbourhood," she informs. "The character goes through various emotions after falling in love while there’s another woman in the wings. I deliberately chose to essay a role of this nature rather than put on a glamorous act."

Soon after the Miss Universe title, Lara has been associated with a variety of high-visibility commercials projecting her as a thoroughly westernised, seductive model with a mind of her own. Darshan apparently was taken in by one such advertisement of a motorbike and had checked with Akshay on her.

"At that time, there was another film I was supposed to do with Akshay which did not take off," she narrates. "So when Sunil called Akshay, Akshay suggested he speak with me directly. Soon enough, I got a call from Sunil. he called me over to read the script. I was selected and barely four days later, I was facing the camera."

The ramp-to-reel story might appear predictable enough, but Lara’s Andaaz connection seems to have been fashioned as much by destiny as design. Not that she is complaining - the lady’s role in film, after all one that is close to her heart.

"It is almost as though I am playing myself," she exclaims. "I can completely identify myself with the character I play, as I have grown up being known as a tomboy in real life. I used to boss over the kids in my neighbourhood. Those memories came back as I did the film."

Lara’s forthcoming films may not be a cakewalk though. But then, she counts herself lucky to have such "competent" directors as Apoorva Lakhia (Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost). Madhur Bhandarkar (Aan), E. Niwas (Bardaasht) and Vikram Bhatt (Jurm).

"These are not run-of-the-mill potboilers," she points out. "Even as I am much too new and not in a position to be choosy, I have tried to work towards creating a niche for myself, distinct from that of other heroines. I know such things take time. But I am in no hurry. I have just started."

So what kind of films does she choose?

"See, I don’t choose nor do I accept what comes my way," she clarifies. "I usually go by the script and the team I am to work with-whether I could really fit into the scheme of things. With no film background whatsoever, I have no option but to feel my way around."

She elaborates on why she does not even have a role model to tailor herself on, although since childhood, she has been a fan of Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. She isn’t as familiar with older Hindi stars and classics as she is with Hollywood potboilers.

Little wonder, her ambition is to work for a Bond film, a prospect that had sparked off wild rumours recently. Papers reported that Lara, along with Aishwarya Rai and Preity Zinta were short-listed as the leading ladies of the next 007 film, till the producers in London scotched all such speculation.

"Well I don’t want to say anything about it because there have been times when I have spoken about things that have failed to materialise," she hedges. "All I will say is that it would be great to be a Bond girl and I wouldn’t mind being cast opposite Pierce Brosnan."

For the moment though, it is back to the grind in Bollywood’s studios. MF