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Sameera set to sizzle Sameera Reddy is sizzling in Ram Gopal Varma’s latest Darna Mana Hai, emerging from the disappointment of her first film flopping. Vickey Lalwani reports.
Can we begin from where the glamour lights entered into your life? Hmmm... I think it all began from Pankaj Udhas’ Ahista video which I did purely on an impulse I had turned down everything that had come my way till then. I was too introverted for words. After I heard the storyline and the fact that were shooting in Sydney, I agreed. When the song went on air, I was still in Sydney. After I returned, I was amazed. I remember going to a bookstore in Chennai and getting recognised as the Ahista girl! After that, what? I received a lot of film offers. I was still in college, and my dad wanted me to graduate. Somehow, he was not too keen that I enter the film industry. I too hadn’t made up my mind. I knew it meant a complete change of lifestyle, a 24-hour-a- day-seven-day-a-week job and no privacy. During that period you refused Yash Chopra’s Mohabbatein. I didn’t refuse Mohabattein.
Yashraj Films is too big a banner for any girl to refuse. There was a
talk of Preeti Jhangiani’s role coming to me, but I clearly conveyed
before it came that I wasn’t really ready. At that point of time, I
was still not sure whether I wanted to act or not.
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I met Sohail Khan at a party. Our families know each other. He saw me after a long time He asked me to screen test for his film. It was that simple. Next day, I trudged to the studio and the next thing I knew I had been signed for Maine Dil Tujko Diya (MDTD). How did you feel when you saw the first rushes of MDTD? I was blown over. I come from a non-filmi background. Everything looked accentuated. When I first saw myself on the big screen, I had to look away. My family, friends and everyone from the unit had come to see my work. I was dazed. But when the movie bit the dust? I’d be lying if I said that we all were not disappointed. But the movie I had been assigned was quite different from the one that was released. What next? People started behaving in a strange manner. Those who were earlier nice to me started looking through me. I went through a period of introspection. I fasted for 40 days, meditated with my guruji and trained in Kathak. I wanted to find my answers and I got it. Something from within told me that I should start studying the genre of movies which were clicking. I didn’t want my second appearance in a hackneyed project. How did Ram Gopal Varma come into your life? The script writer of Bhoot is a friend. He asked me if I’d like to meet Ramu. In 20 minutes, I had signed Darna Mana Hai. There was no screen test. I am on cloud nine. Ramu has acknowledged my talent. Your song Jo Dar Gaya... has become a rage. Are you expecting it to do it you what Khallas (from Company) did for Isha Koppikar? Comparisons are inevitable but unfair. You have been quite daring in the song... (Smiles). There’s nothing obscene or vulgar about it. It has been beautifully done. Dance is a form of expression. What’s your role precisely? I play a fearless girl who narrates the story. Ramu is said to get involved with his heroines. Comment. In this industry, there are rumours around every male and female who work together (smiles). You have bagged some prestigious projects... I’m doing Sanjay Gupta’s Plan. Also I am doing his Musafir, though he has yet to make a formal announcement. I’m also reading many scripts. Pooja Bhatt is keen to have you in one of her forthcoming projects. Right? Right. So far, we haven’t been able to meet on the date factor. But very soon, I will be working in some film of hers. She is a fabulous filmmaker. You stepped into Plan only after Isha Koppikar walked out of it. So what? The fact that Sanjay Gupta thought that I could step into Isha’s shoes is enough for me to know that I am also talented. But honestly, why should I bother about who was ‘supposed’ to do the role? What matters more—the conception or the output? I wonder why so much noise is being made about this. Is this the first replacement happening in Bollywood? The role in Musafir is extremely bold. Priyanka Chopra refused it. Are you ready? Depends on what view you hold. From my side, it’s just a character, it’s just work. You have really changed, haven’t you? Good for me! I had to. I’m discovering life. I am going out a lot more, meeting interesting people. My friends and I are quite capable of going to a discotheque and taking the place on our head. My confidence level has increased. My body language is more positive than before. TWF |
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SAMEERA
Reddy is yet another glamour girl who did not make it with her first
film but is not willing to give up. Exactly after a year, she launches
into her second innings in a new avtaar of a sexy siren, thanks
to Ram Gopal Varma who whispered in her ear Darna Mana Hai.
Excerpts from an interview: