Mahima Chaudhary
After keeping a low profile in Bollywood post marriage and motherhood, Mahima Chaudhary is back and making her TV debut with Ticket to Bollywood on NDTV Prime. She chats up with Deebashree mohantyabout her role as a mother & mentor
‘Have no idea how to multitask’
You are back on TV after a long time. How does that feelIJ
I have been associated with the glamour world and have a general idea of what all is hot on TV but still I feel a lot has changed in the entertainment industry. Almost 60 per cent is for the better but we still need to work on some basic issues. Amicable working environment and a handsome pay package are the best things to happen to the industry. However, gender biases continue.
Personally, I feel the time was right for me to take up this project and do something that I enjoy doing. Being a mentor is a task but I have some experience in this and I shall try to put that to full use.
Mentoring a Bollywood reality show, the stakes must be very high...
The time was right, the opportunity was good and the production house was one of the best, so I didn’t have to think much before going ahead with the show. We have shot in Bhopal, Chandigarh and Delhi and it has been an incredible journey.
I’ve met a variety of people and everyone had something interesting to share about me so I was always entertained. I was surprised to see that people still remember me and my films. Pardes, for instance, was a phenomenon. I wish I had connected with my audience before.
What is the level of candidates that you have seen thus farIJ
Each one is an ubharta hua talent but Delhiites are very aggressive. They know how to conduct themselves in reality shows and are more aware about the happenings in the industry. Their confidence on stage is to die for. Sadly, the Bhopal and Chandigarh candidates needed that little push to come out and perform. let’s see how the show pans out. We are expecting to get a full house of talent from Mumbai as well. It is going to be a tough competition.
How have you maintained the work life balanceIJ
I have not actually. I feel I am failing miserably. I just cannot multitask. So, when I am with Aranya my daughter, I cannot think of anything but her. I don’t even take calls. And when I am shooting, I don’t call up home to enquire about her from time to time. I have never been a hands-on mother but I think I need to master this art of multitasking pretty soon.
As an actor what do you make of the current crop of actors in the industryIJ
It is an interesting mix of talent and hot bods. Although, I feel they haven’t been trained properly and lack originality but the standard of films has not dipped. Most actors get away with silly acting because of an excellent script or a well directed film. They have a lot of opportunities to exploit as well. During my time, first-timers had no other option but to make it count in the very first instance. Otherwise it would be a struggle.
What kind of scripts would you consider nowIJ
I haven’t given films a thought as yet. TV allows me a certain kind of freedom which a film doesn’t so I am going to stick to TV for a while. Having said that, I don’t have the time for saas bahu dramas and other shows which run up to 1000 or more episodes. I would prefer a short film to this anyday.