When the tables turn and it
hits home, it really hurts.
When did Amisha Patel
become Sakina for Gadar?
The day I signed the film. From
the 500 girls selected, only 22 were screen tested. My audition lasted 12 hours!
We had to enact some key scenes
without knowing the entire graph of the film. I had to be spontaneous. I had to
dance, had to change into costumes, to look the period. My process of thinking
started then.
When I eventually was signed
on, I had 20 sittings with the director where we worked on hair, costume,
make-up and body language. I was given books on Lahore and Islam to read and
movies to watch.
I also visited Haji Ali,
watched how the people prayed, as part of my study of the Muslim culture.
I did a lot of research.
We used to sketch diagrams of hairstyles we liked. From the six finalised, there
was a specific one, which looked best.
A series of sittings with my
wig-maker Kailashji followed. He tried to give me the Nargis-Madhubala, look,
but I ended up with my own hair, all curled for the movie.
It was a long journey prior to
the shooting; they were sittings with my writer Shaktimanji who would run me
through the role of Sakina, we'd cover even costumes and color combinations
beforehand.
The first scene that I actually
did was the one where I'm already in Pakistan. At that point in the film, I'm
already a mother and I tell my father "Hum Hindustan nahi jayenge, khat
nahi likhenge, telephone nahi karenge, hum sirf intezaar karenge".
It was tough to channelise my
thoughts to post-interval, separated and confronting my father.
And this was a year before Kaho
Naa...Pyaar Hai had even released. I returned to the Simla portion of the school
and college, later.
When I donned on the costumes
and make-up and walked onto the set, I wasn't acting, I was Sakina. For most of
the scenes, I did not use glycerine.
I think what helped me, were on
the locations; the atmosphere created was very authentic. My director and
producer had faith in me, I wasn't a star, I didn't have a Kaho Naa…
What did you assimilate
about Islamic culture and Pakistan from the books you read? How did they help
you?
What I essentially learnt was
that Islam and Hinduism preach the same thing.
Many preconceived notions that
I had about Islam, were cleared.
I interacted with lots of
Pakistanis, when I studied in America and became the best of friends. A high
hypothetical geographical line in a map, doesn't make you different people.
We eat the same food, speak the
same language; they love our Hindi movies. I am not ashamed of playing a
Pakistani girl, I love the Muslim culture. I felt a kinship, found an
understanding with them. It felt absolutely foolish to point out differences,
that was the most amazing revolution I ever went through.
How did the character
of Sakina affect you?
It affected me deeply.
When you understand Islam
culture, you'll know that the body language of their women is unlike that of
bold Punjabi women. A Muslim girl's eyes are always lowered, she is softer, she
possess an understanding, that only culture can give.
A Hindu girl from an affluent
educated background would perhaps speak to her father directly, but a Muslim
girl bow her head down, in respect. That angle, made all the difference to my
character.
What does Gadar - Ek
Prem Katha mean to you?
Gadar - Ek Prem Katha has been
my heartbeat, my breath, my passion, my life for the past two years.
How would you compare
Gadar and KNPH?
KNPH was a very different film.
You can't compare it with Gadar.
I played myself in KNPH, a
college kid who had been through heartaches and crushes.
Gadar called for perfection. I
couldn't walk onto the sets not knowing what I was going to wear and pull on a
pair of jeans. Gadar was a very big film...we shot at original locations with
huge crowds.
KNPH gave me a platform, an
acceptance, it made me popular. Gadar has marked me as an actress. It have been
compared with Madhubala and Meena Kumari...that alone is a big feat. KNPH will
go in the portals alongside Dilwale... and Dil To Pagal Hai. Gadar has a
different niche. It goes down along with the Mughal-E-Azam and Pakeezah.
Not every actress gets what I
have managed to, in their second film. You don't see period films or classic
films like this made every year. You won't see another Gadar for another 20
years. KNPH was a candyfloss film of today, full of colour. Gadar was true
reality.
Why the long break
between KNPH and Gadar?
I was committed to Gadar before
KNPH was released. For all ethical reasons it was to be my second film because
they had signed me on. I walked out of many films, for Gadar. But I couldn't ask
for a bigger hit, could i?
Weren't you afraid that
the long sabbatical would erase you from public memory?
If your work is good, it
doesn't matter if you do only film. Aamir does one film a year and he's more
famous than any other.
But Aamir has 15 years
of stardom behind him?
That doesn't matter! I'm
starting a new trend. But, I feel one good film is worth more than five which
don't do anything for you. I will have three to four releases, this year,
though.
You've had three upto
now KNPH, Badri and Gadar. And scored with all of them. Does this pressurise you
or does it make you over-confident?
I feel lucky. I have gotten
used to having hits now. People keep tagging me as a lucky charm for their
films.
But, I know my little bubble
will burst soon and I will be snapped out of my dreams. I'll take that in my
stride as well. All I know, is that I am blessed. I didn't have a big banner
backing, Anil Sharma was written off as a director; Sunny was a little too old
for me.
When you think of Sunny,
you don't think of a love story. When you think of Amisha Patel you don't think
of her playing a mother to a five-year old. Also we were catering to a mass
audience. But we went ahead and did it and it worked. I took the risk because I
had conviction and it worked like magic.
And no, I am not
over-confident.
Do you think you have
never really been given your due?
As long as the dark horse is
winning, I don't see the problem. The public will give me my due.
It would have been tougher if I
had the backing of a Subhash Ghai or a Yash Chopra banner. That would have given
them half the credit for the success.
When you have everything
working against you and yet you beat every record, you feel real victory.
What is your definition
of acting?
Acting is reacting, feeling,
being. It's about reacting to people and being sensitive to emotions. If you are
a sensitive person you can be a better actor. Acting can't be taught. There
isn't a right or a wrong.
Did you read the
original story for Gadar? Did you see Shaheed-E-Mohabbat?
No, I didn't.
It was an inspired story. I
didn't want to go into the film with some pre-conceived notion. I knew that I
had to put in my own homework not someone else's effort. I could have watched
Shaheed-E-Mohabbat and been that girl but I didn't want to. I wanted to make
Sakina an original. It was my decision.
Compare your stints
with Hrithik, the latest craze and Sunny, the seasoned actor as actors.
Hrithik has a long way to go.
He has a lot of learning to do. He will improve with every film. He is still a
newcomer, he still is my buddy.
Sunny is a superstar. A
National Award winner with 18 years in the industry. But he made me feel so
comfortable. He was never insecure about his role.
Is this part of the
journey or is this the destination? Is it going to be movies now?
I don't know. I don't
know tomorrow. I am doing well, now. That matters most. I have been accepted, I
have been loved.
I have an 'A' grade on my
report card. I might see an 'F' on it tomorrow and then I might just have to
exit gracefully.
Have you seen Lagaan?
No, I haven't. My parents have,
and in many ways they thought it was better than mine and in many ways they
thought my film scored over it.
But, they said that the two
could not be compared. Lagaan is an entertainer Gadar is a serious film. But I
am happy that the film did well because Aamir is my favourite actor.
Other
Interviews :-
- "
I
respect Sunny. But there's nothing on between us"
- Amisha
"Gadar
- my heartbeat, my passion, my life !"
"Comedy
Zindabad, Amisha seemed a natural with
comedy in Suno Sasurji."
"Salman's give a damn
attitude" - Amisha Patel
"Press
meet of Gadar."
- [
Exclusive Photos ]
Hrithik-Amisha
together again
Amisha
is really actress #1
