Vidhushi Mehra
After giving a remarkable performance in movies like Aisha, No One Killed Jessica, Saat Khoon Maaf and Bajate Raho, Vidhushi Mehra, wife of famous designer Nikhil Mehra of Shantanu Nikhil duo, has her hands full with some interesting films like Fugly, A trip to Bhanghar and Dum lagake Haisha. She chats up with SANGEETA YADAV about her upcoming movies and how theatre is still in its nascent stage in the country
‘Want to come up with karaoke night’
Tell us about your upcoming movies — Fugly and A Trip to BhangharIJ
In Fugly, I’m playing a journalist who takes a stand and fights for the injustice. But she is also manipulative when it comes to getting her stories done. She is a game changer and brings in a twist in the story. All the characters in this film give out a message including mine. A Trip to Bhanghar is a mystery story rather than a horror film where I have play a tantric. Both the roles reflect shades of grey and slated to release May 2014.
How is Dum lagake Haisha shapping upIJ
I’m currently shooting for it in Rishikesh. The story revolves around the life of a small town couple — Prem and Sandhya who overcome their fears in their life, be it of English as a language or dealing with an overbearing father. It’s a nice story around relationship.
What genres of movies you enjoy watching and doingIJ
What today’s audience enjoy the most and I also love to do are real time stories that mirror the true world through a fictitious story. Not a realist cinema but a fantasy world which takes the audience away from their mundane problems and yet relates to them.
What was the most learning experience in BollywoodIJ
I’ve been fortunate to work with many actors and directors, who I have looked up to. Bollywood is diverse and is open to new talent. A lot of raw talent comes from different background and that gives flavour to the movies. There is a lot of acceptance now for all types of artists. The biggest misnomer in Bollywood that superstars are untouchable, have an expensive lifestyle and live in a dream world where they can get everything But it’s actually opposite. Superstars don’t consider themselves glamour. They are very regular people like you and me.
Any wishlistIJ
I used to sing a lot but had to stop due to other commitments. Now I’m considering exploring something on this front as well. I’m in talks with Shiv Karan Singh, the founder of Smokeys BBQ and Grill to come up with a karaoke platform where we'll be bringing amateur singers and involve other people to have a fun evening.
Behind the success of your husband Nikhil Mehra, how much of your effort has gone into itIJ
We are a winning team. Fashion and film industry go hand-in-hand. It’s a very confusing for us sometimes because whatever we do, it’s for other people and it requires a lot of assurance that whether we are doing, is it correct or not, and would it click with the audience. When I look for clarity, Nikhil directs me on the right path and vice-versa.
You have been associated with theatre since the age of four. Has the industry progressedIJ
It’s a beautiful medium which instantly connect you with the audience, gives you live feedback and prompts you to improvise. It’s just that theatre artists are never been paid well in India. It’s a great platform but the challenge comes when we have to convince the sponsors that we can generate very good revenue out of it. In Hollywood, actors go to theatres to brush up their acting skills. It’s really a reputed platform. But in India, this is not the case. Actors like Naseeruddin Shah and others are actually working towards the development of this platform. If more actors from Bollywood can come and support the platform, that will improve the theatre field.