After having wooed several hearts as Taani ji in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Anushka Sharma is super excited about her latest, Badmaash Company.
Tell us something about the script and your character in the film?
I was completely bowled over by the script. Also I was not told who had written it. So I was completely unaware, I was just given a script and told to read it. In fact, I had to read it on my way to London where I was going to for a few days. Once I started reading it and I couldn't stop till I finished. I loved it so much. I immediately called up Adi and told him I was doing the film. As for my character, Bulbul is unapologetic, by the way she speaks, by the way she dresses and by the way she behaves with everyone around her. She is aggressive because she is independent, she is straightforward. I think it’s great because she is not pretentious and calls a spade a spade. She is living alone in Mumbai aspiring to be a model. Any girl living alone who is taking care of herself would be able to relate to Bulbul. You need to be a bit of a man to live alone, and Bulbul is that.
How close is Bulbul to Anushka?
I think as an actor you should be able to play anything. I identify with a lot of things that Bulbul is. I am very straightforward. I cannot be pressurised, I do things my own way. So I identified with these things of Bulbul.
The film is set in the 1990s. What research did you do?
I spent about two months researching on the 1990s look, feel, the music et al. My computer was filled with photographs from all over the internet It's so interesting to be in another time, in another space. It was so much fun. In 1994 I was too young to remember anything from that time. I completely enjoyed the prep period of the film.
How was it working with the Ameira and Mamta, the designers?
I think Ameira is creatively blessed. We got along, so we used to talk for long and bounced off ideas each other. Even she had done some amazing research. I think she has done a great job, because it was important for us to look completely period. We had to bring that balance. She has done colors that were in, big chunky jewellery which was in at that time. So I think the movie in terms of the look, looks right.
How was it working with your co-stars?
This was my second film, and I was working with people closer to my age. So it was fun because we were travelling together, eating out, watching plays, and we did all of that! So we got along really well and had so much fun! And it is great because our relationship brought about a great chemistry and great dynamics on screen.
Working with Parmeet as a director?
For a first time director, he was very self-assured. He knew what he had to do; he did his homework, came on sets and knew what kind of shots he wanted. And he would go back with just that. His vision was very clear. As a person, he developed a rapport with his actors which is very helpful. Most importantly, he was breathing the film. He would never call Shahid by his name, or me or Chang or Vir. We would be out on the streets or at dinner and he would call us by our screen names! I think he was completely absorbed by the film, and the end result is great so kudos for that.
Tell us about the music of the film?
I really love the music.The songs are singable.Whether you’re off to work, or just on the highway you would enjoy it. The music had to have the flavor of the 90s, yet look contemporary at the same time. Another feather in Pritam's hat. I am very confident about the album. Its young, youthful and peppy. My favorite song is Jingle Jingle. Not because it sounds good, but because the time at which it comes. Every song in the film is taking the story forward.
How was it working in so many different disguises?
As an actor, it’s fun at the same time challenging to play in a different character within the characters you are playing in the film. I sat with Vidya dada and Ameira to try out different looks, and it was great fun. Finally acting it out was even more fun. I wish I could have done half the film in disguises, it was that much fun.
Have you conned anyone in real life?
I think I've been conning my parents into believing that they have made a great piece and I’m damn good! No I haven’t conned anyone, so it was great doing it in the film! And do it without doing it illegally, in different shots, different lighting! So yea, it was a lot of fun.
Did you gamble in the US and Bangkok?
No I didn't gamble. I think it was a tough schedule and we had a lot to do. So I decided to rest and just watch the other people in the casino gamble. I was afraid that if I started gambling, my crew would move on and I would still be stuck on the slot machines.
How was it working with Ahmed, the choreographer?
When you see the songs you will see that Ahmed has done a fabulous job again. The film is about four friends, and he has made the songs young, spunky and peppy. It's always fun working with Ahmed.
Any interesting anecdote you remember?
I won’t really talk about a particular moment in the film, but I really feel that this movie was an out an out learning film for me. Because in my first film I was very protected. At that time I didn’t feel it, but now I do. Apart from that this is an ambitious film, there is a growth in characters, relationships between the characters, all that really makes you a true actor. So I have really grown as a person in this film. I am really glad that this film came my way.
Do you want to talk about the intimate scene in the film?
People might think otherwise, but I can say that this (even thought I am doing it for the first time) is the most mechanical thing you can do onscreen. All you are doing is shooting a scene. All of us, the director, the producer, the actors have been honest to the script because it’s a great script. The more honest you are the better film you are going to make. So if the script requires a certain chemistry, or relationship between the actors, we have no option but to do it. And I believe that's the right approach to it too. I am an actor, I will do everything I need to justify a script and justify the character in the script. This particular scene, even though its spoken of as a 'kissing scene', is important to lay down the foundation for these people. The passion that they share, and the relationship they had. When you see the film you will see why it was needed. We had to show a certain degree to which the relationship had progressed.
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