As we prepare for the biggest production in BPP history, we present an exclusive interview with Malini Malhotra who plays supermodel Shonali Gujral in BPP's FASHION. Watch this space in the next few days as we present intimate interviews with Natasha Rai who plays supermodel Meghna Mathur and Monisha Rai who plays Janet Sequeira.
Q. We have all seen your million dollar pentouse of Horse Shoe Bay in a video that your family posted online. But isn't it true that until a few years ago, you worked in the custodial department?
As I have said before, I was married into the prestigious Malhotra family and everything I have today is theirs. I have never denied my humble beginnings and in fact I am very proud that I have come a long way. I will not comment on whether I worked in the custodial department because I don't want to belittle people who work hard in custodial or any other type of services. To me, whether you are working as CEO or a janitor makes no difference. I don't know why the press is obsessed with our penthouse and material posessions. To me, it is just a house. Because I am so tired of all the press reports about my "penthouse" and since we now have a child, you will be happy to know that we will soon be selling our home. We are looking for a kid-friendly house in West Vancouver with a big backyard that Rahul can play in.
Q. How can you afford such an expensive home?
The reason I don't like to talk about my wealth and good fortune is because it is all unimportant to me. When people show off their wealth, it really disgusts me. Marne ke baad insaan kya leke jaata hai? I have seen some bad times in my life and whatever I have today is a result of my bhakti and blessings from Durga Ma. One day when I am gone, I hope to be remembered for being a good friend, wife, sister and maybe even a good actress but never for being a rich snob. That is just not me.
Q. Many reporters have observed that in your real life you always start acting like the latest character that you are playing in you movie. As an example, when you played Devdas, you started behaving like Chandramukhi and when you did Race, your daily outfits were very glamorous and westernized. What's with this obsession to your filmy roles?
I am a born actress and feel like in order to do full justice to my roles, I must feel the character I am playing. So, I like to dress like my character in my daily life. When I was playing a glamorous role in Race, I lost 35 pounds and was wearing cocktail dresses and evening gowns because I wanted to make sure that I would fit into the character and into those dresses! Race released and both critics and fans said that I stole the show. I think it's very importable to be comfortable in playing your part. I would never play a role unless I could do 100% justice to my character. And I would definitely not wear a tight fitting dress if I didn't have the body to carry it off! The camera never lies and if I put on weight, everyone will be able to see it. Currently, I have gained 10 pounds and am going around the city in temples and discos in very humble attire because I want to fit into the character of Chandramukhi again. When my film releases, I don't want people to say "she looks beautiful" or "she looks skinny." That is not important to me. I want everyone to say "she looks like Chandramukhi." That is important for me as an actress.
Q. In this industry, they say that you are known by your last release and your last release "We R Family" was a flop. People who have seen the sneak preview of FASHION are only praising Natasha Rai and newcomer Monisha Rai is the most in-demand actress of all the top producers. Do you still feel like you are the numero uno actress?
Everyone has got his or her place. I want to have my own place. I have no interest in siting in another person's seat. All major actresses from Sridevi to Madhuri and Malini to Natasha have given flops. My hits are mine. Whether it was "KANK," "LCMD, " Silsila," "Devdas," or "Race." Even in TGI's "We R Family," my character was well appreciated for its own merit. Ultimately no one star makes a film succeed. Only the reputation of the production house runs. I have been the favorite actress of the audience in every poll and of the critics in every review. Despite "We R Family," BPP offered me the first choice to play any character in two of their upcoming films. If this doesn't make me the most in-demand and number one actress, then I don't know what does!
Q. Without any further adieu, could you please announce your upcoming films and the new films you recently signed?
My fans have been anxiously waiting to see me as supermodel and showstopper Shonali Gujral in FASHION and they will not be disappointed as the film will be releasing within the next few days. I am so glad to be reviving my favorite character of Chandramukhi in the next saaga of Devdas. During the last few months, I have been going around town in humble attire to research and fit into the skin of this character. Finally, I am very excited to announce that I have just signed on the dotted line to play one of the lead parts of Janki in BPP's "LAJJA." I was initially hesitant because there were so many characters in the film. But when I heard the story, I fell in love with Janaki's part! Lajja is based on the plight of women in our community as seen and experienced by the lead character Vaidehi (Manisha Koirala). The movie mocks the double standards of men in our community that treat us like dolls without caring for our feelings. The fact that the four women's names (Maithali, Janaki, Ramdulhari, and Vaidehi) are all versions of Goddess Seeta, the ideal Hindu woman's name, is a message in itself. I have always done roles that I believed in and identified with and although this is a multi starrer, I am sure we will all look back at "Lajja" one day with a great sense of pride. It is a powerful female-centric movie.
Q. There are rumors of an open war between you and Natasha Rai. In fact it is common knowledge that you cannot stand each other and that there was a big clash when you ran into her at Bang Bang Bollywood night club recently. What's your version of the story?
The media loves creating stories that two actresses are either best friends or that they can't stand each other. In reality, we are not friends or enemies. She has extended her hand in friendship to me several times on email and in person but I have politely declined. I am not interested in being friends with her and I have said this many many times. It is true that she did approach me again at the event you mentioned but we were very cordial to each other and she even bought me a drink. So, there was no clash as you are suggesting. We don't have to be good friends to work together as we are both thorough professionals and have always had a comfortable working relationship. As a co-star she is a lovely lady and all our films together have been hits. In fact my fans keep joking that I should put her in my wedding picture to ensure that my marriage will be a super hit! It would be silly for Natasha or myself to let personal differences get in the way of a beautiful professional relationship. She's a highly talented and hard working actress and when you work with someone like her, you are always improving your own talents. I definitely look forward to making many more hit films with her as long as she keeps her personal life separate from her professional life.
Q. Where do you go from now? Have you considered finding someone and settling down or are you going to remain a widow?
Rajiv left us more than a year ago and I am now slowly getting back to normal. His memories will forever be in our hearts but for the sake of my loved ones and my family, friends and fans, I have to move on with my life. If I keep obsessing over his death, I will also die within months. I am focusing all my energy on raising Rahul right now but I am open to the possibility of finding that special someone again. My father in law says I used to be a Malhotra daughter in-law but now I have become a Malhotra daughter. I think that pretty much sums up how I feel about my current state and my future. I will do whatever my family decides is best for me. I will blindly marry whoever they choose for me. My love, trust and faith in them is blind and unconditional. I will even marry a tree if they want me to! (laughs)
