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'My heart is in Bollywood'
Preeti Jhangiani, to the celluloid born
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She seems convinced that her girl-next-door look is alluring. But there is more to Preeti Jhangiani than meets the eye.
She was launched in a Yash Chopra vehicle Mohabbatein.
A deluge of offers later, Preeti Jhangiani was climbing her way up the success ladder, till she fell ill. Rumours about her bloated face hit the industry. Producers dropped her like a hot potato, and films with Mahesh Manjrekar, Pahlaj Nihalani were no longer hers.
To her credit, she shrugged them off, passing those offers as their loss.
Jhangiani spoke to Arti R about her second film Awara Paagal Deewana due for release on June 21.
Tell us about Awara Paagal Deewana.
I am very excited about my role in Awara Paagal Deewana. I play Preeti, a young girl who falls in love with a man (Aftab Shivdasani), while she is married to another (Akshay Kumar). But I do find happiness at the end of the film. Though it is a multi-starrer, I would not have signed the film if I felt that I would be overshadowed. I play the female lead and have enjoyed working in the film.
In my first film, Mohabbatein, I played a very subdued, innocent girl. But here I play a girl, who lives in the lap of luxury but leads a very prim and proper life. She goes to fancy lunches and dinners, knows how to handle herself and act like a lady.
What was the atmosphere on the sets like?
Initially, it was very awkward. Fresh out of Mohabbatein, there was a lot of curiousity --- whether I could act, whether I would be able to perform this role.
My first scene was with Aftab, in Bandra (the northwestern suburb of Mumbai). The scene is like this: Aftab is scared of me initially. But later, we start liking each other and finally end with a love song. It was quite difficult --- the scene had a lot of dialogues. But it went off really well. I know Aftab quite well --- we had done a lot of ad films together, so my first scene was very comfortable.
Sunil (Shetty) and I became great friends during the course of the film. I did not have many scenes with Aarti (Chhabria), but Amrita (Arora) and I get along like house on fire. She is from the same college (Jai Hind College, Mumbai) and the modelling world. So we had a lot in common.
Which was your favourite shot in the film?
The climax, with the monster trucks, in Muscat. The action sequences are done by the same team who worked in Keanu Reeves' The Matrix, Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible and Cameron Diaz-Drew Barrymore-Lucy Lui's Charlie's Angels.
It was a very exciting to work with such a huge crew. I am also doing some stunts. It made me realise how much hard work goes into it!
How different is it working with Aditya Chopra and Vikram Bhatt?
Both Adi and Vikram explain scenes in great detail. Since they are young, they think very radically. But that is where the similarity ends. Vikram listens, incorporates suggestions. Adi is fixed. Once he has his script in his hand, he will not bend to any suggestions, which can have its pros and cons.
Vikram is the best director now. Once you see the film, you will realise why.
Tell us about your experience in Mohabbatein.
I worked very hard on Mohabbatein. Everybody told me I would get stuck with the bhabhi kind of roles, but that did not happen. Luckily, my expectations from the film worked out. The biggest compliment came from Karan Johar: he said I am a fabulous dancer.
I love acting and dancing. Mohabbatein gave me a taste of both. Mohabbatein was the best training school I have had. All the eight months of dancing helped me when I had to match my steps with Govinda in Waah..! Tera Kya Kehna. The training has even changed the way I walk.
I am lucky I did not get stereotyped in the typical Indian mould, given Mohabbatein and Chui mui si [the Rajshris] video. I remember when I was working in the video, all [director] Kunal Kohli had to do was say, "Preeti, give me expression 1. Now expression 2!"
Today, I am where I am because of Mohabbatein.
You worked with newcomers in Mohabbatein and established stars in Awara Paagal Deewana...
There is always a lot to learn from your costars. In Mohabbatein, we were like kids --- stumbling and learning. We had our teething problems. But I really enjoyed working with Govinda --- he always helped me rehearse with my scenes.
What happened with the Mahesh Manjrekar film (opposite Bobby Deol) and the Pahlaj Nihalani film you were due to act in?
After Mohabbatein, I was unwell for eight months. I gave up on almost all the films I had signed on. There was a lot of negative publicity and rumours in the industry. It upset me, but I cannot blame them. Nobody knew anything and I chose not to clarify my stand.
Tell us about your films down South...
I have done three Telugu films, a Tamil and a Malyalam film. My Telugu film Narsimha Naidu (opposite Balakrishna), did really well and ran for over 100 days. I remember when we were shooting, Balakrishna (superstar N T Rama Rao's son), was invited to give a small speech at a hospital. His impromptu speech stunned me. That is the kind of confidence the stars possess down South.
I enjoy doing films in the South because they get over quicker. They are technically sound and planned to perfection. I even got a hang of the language. But my heart is in Bollywood. Despite all the hitches and snags, I enjoy working here.
What are your future projects?
I have four films releasing this year: Vikram Bhatt's Awara Paagal Deewana, Manoj Agarwal's Waah..! Tera Kya Kehna, Ravi Devan's Annarth and a film by Glenn and Ankush.
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