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Smiley Suri, the pretty petite girl, had left her mark as an actress in her first film KALYUG. Inspite of being from the Bhatt camp, she preferred to prove herself independently. Now her next film YEH MERA INDIA (YMI), directed by N Chandra, is ready for release on 28th August 2009. Another film DOWNTOWN, directed by Andalip Sultanpuri with a new hero is also on the floors.
Tell something about your character? How did you prepare for your role?In Y.M.I., I am playing a totally different character than that of Renuka of KALYUG. Renuka commits suicide after facing sexual harassment. My character Asha in Y.M.I. also goes through the harassment but she fights backs with the people and the circumstances. She is very sweet simple Maharashtrian girl and works in a call center. But she is very strong and unwilling to give up or accept defeat.
What is your look in the film?This is the story of 24 hours. Since I am a simple middle class Maharashtrian girl, I’m wearing Salwar Kamiz at work. But in 2nd half of the day I’m with my boyfriend played by Purab Kohli. So I suggested to Chandraji to let me wear long skirt and top. He liked it and accepted it. So there are only two changes in the entire film.
Title is, YEH MERA INDIA. It suggests nationalism. Comment.There are five different stories in one movie. All are inter connected and influence each other’s life. People from different places come together as one story eventually. While watching it you will definitely think that this kind of situation and reactions can happen only in India. You will walk out with the feeling of pride at being an Indian. It’s the story of people and their reactions. It is not about patriotism but it will invoke the feeling.
How was the experience working with such a talented director like N Chandra? What did you learn from him?Well Chandra ji is a very experienced director, so naturally my exposure to his style of acting has been really very big learning curve. He prefers to enact the scene for his actor. May it be me or any other senior actor.
Most of the directors are known for their temper. Is N Chandra also prone to such tantrums?On the contrary, he is so patient with his artiste and he really pampers them like a baby.
You have worked with two directors. What is the best about both?As an actor I have worked with three directors by now. Mohit is young and very intense about his projects. He is totally focused on the story while shooting. Chandra ji is also very focused but takes it slightly easier. He would enact the scene and then let us take off from there.
Who are the other co-stars in the film?We have five different stories dealing with different issues in the film, so we have huge star cast in the film and all of them are great actor. Anupam Kher, Seema Biswas, Rajapal Yadav, Purab Kohli, Shivaji Shinde, Parveen Dabbas, Rajit Kapoor, Parizad Zorabian. But in my story I am playing main protagonist and Purab is my love interest while Rajit Kapoor is playing my boss.
Now a days, link up between lead pair is so common. Anything brewing between you and Purab?No baba. No link ups. We are great buddies but that is all.
Is there any song in your film which is related to India? ‘phir bhi dil hai hindustani’ type?No we don’t have any song like that but yes we have one background song which comes on particular time in the each and every story.
Why is there such a long gap after your first film? Why were you not seen in any of Bhatt film?I was getting offers of same lovely sweet simple girl of Kashmir which I have played in KALYUG. I had no intentions of getting type cast. So I preferred to wait instead. When YEH MERA INDIA came, I accepted and the film was shot a little while back. It has taken little longer to release. Another film DOWNTOWN is on floors. As for not repeating Bhatt camp, they don’t really repeat their heroines. I was no exception.
Any future project you are working on after this?After this DOWNTOWN is coming starring me opposite a actor, Rati Agnihotri, Vinod Khanna and its directed by Mr. Sultan Puri who has directed Salman Khan and Urmila Matodkar starrer movie JANAM SAMJA KARO. Few other projects are under discussion.