In a career spanning over two decades, she has done varied roles that have found many fans. Now, with her kitty full and several movies releasing this year, including Blackmail, Dutta talks to Shalini Saksena about her role in Irrfan starrer, the book she has penned & how she hates the word ‘struggle’
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What is your role in BlackmailIJ
She is a crazy, mad and whimsical woman who is an alcoholic and treats her husband badly. It is a different take on women, not often seen in films.
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The movie shows a woman having an extra-marital affair. How do you want viewers to see the filmIJ
When you pick up a newspaper, you read about women having affairs among other articles. This film is a situational dark comedy where you see a different take changing the life of a man who finds out about his wife’s infidelity. He decides to teach the other man a lesson but it boomerangs on him. The movie has many layers. I want people to look at these layers and have a good laugh.
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How was the set atmosphereIJ
It began with a prawn party. Abhinay (director), Irrfan and I were listening to the script amid fun and food. Abhinay gave quirky ideas ideas. As an actor, it kept me on the edge as it was different from what I was doing. I respect directors who move differently. Co-actors were fun. Arunoday was a blast, most of my scenes are with him. We had some crazy scenes.
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This is the second time that you have done a role that is negative. Was this a conscious decisionIJ
I will not say that my character in Blackmail is negative. I never plan. I take up the role that comes my way instinctively. There was a time in when people would not give me a negative role as they felt I was sweet looking. I am glad this has changed and such roles come my way. Babumoshai Bandookbaaz was a sensuous negative role, Irada was a politically negative role. This one is about a situational stuck-up woman.
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Is there a character or genre that you would love to exploreIJ
I have given a lot of emotional performances. I enjoy comedy and romance. Fortunately, I am doing both. Someday, if Gulzar saheb chooses to make a movie, I would love to be directed by him.
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You have authored the book Me & Ma. What is it aboutIJ
I shared a special bond with my mother. She played many roles in my life and was my best friend. When I lost her two years back, I wanted to celebrate the woman who was in my life and who impacted me since I was two. She moulded my life and there were many anecdotes I wanted to share. When I sat with her in the hospital, I decided to write Me & Ma. It went the way I wanted it to go. I wanted Shabanaji to write the Foreward and Mr Amitabh Bachchan to release it and both happened. The book is doing well and it nice that it has found a connect with readers as my movies have done.
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Is it correct to call hatke films parallel cinemaIJ
There is nothing called parallel cinema. Cinema is not divided, audience are. Sometimes movies do well with both kind of viewers, like Queen or a Hindi Medium.
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How has the journey beenIJ
It’s been unconventional. After 20 years, I am now getting my best. Very few get what I am getting by way of roles. People are writing roles for me. At present, I am like a child in a candy store, having lots of fun while working hard in the industry.
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What about the struggleIJ
I have had my highs and lows which is part and parcel of the industry. Please don’t use the word ‘struggle’, I hate it. Use highs and lows.
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Can you please tell us about your upcoming projectsIJ
It is a mixed bag of roles. There is Fanne Khan with Anil Kapoor. There is Manto with Nawazuddin. There is another movie Ramsingh Charlie which is being directed by National Award winner Nitin Kakkar.