Sunday, October 19, 2003


‘Main Madhuri Dixit nahin banna chahti!’
Avinash Kalla

Antara Mali has perfectly imitated Madhuri’s jhatkas in the film’s dance numbers
Antara Mali has perfectly imitated Madhuri’s jhatkas in the film’s dance numbers

THE Mast girl is cruising along the Road to success and is all poised to be in the Company of big league stars. Not just a star, this sizzling beauty dreams of becoming nothing short of Madhuri Dixit. Antara Mali reveals what it was like playing Madhuri Dixit in Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon.

Was it difficult playing Chutki in Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon?

It was a great challenge to portray someone who’s so well-known. This is what made me go for the film. No other actress has ever attempted such a role. No one has yet portrayed another actress.

During filming did you at any time wish you were as big a star as Madhuri Dixit?

Not at all. With due respects to her, I don’t want to be Madhuri Dixit or anyone else for that matter. I have my own identity. Right from the days I entered movies, I was clear in my mind that I’d be Antara Mali and won’t imitate any star.

If not in real life how was it like being Madhuri Dixit on screen?

To be in the shoes of one of the greatest actresses of our times was very thrilling. The film has been a great learning experience and I have certainly grown as a performer.


What sort of preparation went in for playing the character?

I watched Madhuri’s movies over and over again to imbibe her mannerisms, her style and her body language. I tried to exactly imitate her footsteps for the dance numbers which was the most challenging of all tasks.

Why is it that even after giving some moderate hits like Road and Company you aren’t seen often on screen?

There are many offers but I don’t want to become stereotyped by doing the same kind of roles. I only say yes to films that are different and give me creative satisfaction. Money is no temptation. The only criteria is meaningful roles.

Why is it that you are mainly seen in Ram Gopal Varma’s films?

Simple. He offers me work that others don’t. These roles are creatively satisfying and non-repetitive. In Mast I was a starry-eyed girl in love, in Road I was an aggressive young lady on the run, in Company I played the wife of a jhoppad-patti underworld don and now I am playing a village girl who wants to be Madhuri Dixit. If anyone else offers this kind of variety I’ll take it.

What do you think is your USP as an actress and what keeps you going?

My USP is that I don’t believe in limiting myself to any particular kind of role or any form of expression. I am open to any kind of challenging role and don’t mind working my guts out portraying a multi-dimensional character.

Which are your forthcoming films?

Currently I have two projects in hand. There’s a science fiction film, again by Ram Gopal Varma, called Gayab and the other one is Gulal, a political thriller that is being directed by Anurag Kashyap. Both are shaping up quite well.

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