By Malati Chopra: T-Fare Online
Correspondence: gayfareonline@gmail.com Attn: Malati
She ruled the hearts of millions for over a decade and then just disappeared off the face of the earth last month. There were many speculations about her whereabouts - from Fiji to France! T-Fare Reporter Malati Chopra was able to finally track down the actress and find out what exactly she's been up to.
TTO: There was huge controversy surrounding your “disappearance.” Now that you have resurfaced, would you care to enlighten us on your exact location?
Malini: I am so disappointed with the press calling my relocation a “disappearance.” The truth is that due to personal reasons related to my family, I decided to relocate to Colorado. The only reason I did not announce the move is because I was concerned about paparazzi stalking Rahul and myself. I had applied for a business visa to the US over a year ago, and once that was approved I quietly made the move.
TTO: Colorado is a state that is bigger than many countries. Could you please tell us where you are specifically in Colorado?
Malini: Absolutely not. I am tired of being stalked by paparazzi and even if I can put up with them, my son should not have to. I can only say that I moved to this particular area mainly based on the high quality of elementary schools here. Vancouver has schools with very low standards and this was just not acceptable for me. Also, relocating to Colorado allowed us to be in close proximity to our rental properties in Arizona and New Mexico.
TTO: How will this move affect your career in Trollywood?
Malini: It should not affect my career at all. Mata ki kripa se I had a super hit with FASHION and strengthened my position in the industry with a solo blockbuster DOSTANA. I will continue to be selective and work only in films that give me something different to do as I don’t want to bore my fans. But I will have the same workload as before. I never believed in doing more than 2 films at a time and right now my hands are full with Marvinder Johar’s Lajja and Kanti Raaj’s next. Once Lajja releases, I will consider other offers so this move will not affect my career in any way.
TTO: AL Bhansali has stated that he did not consider you for Darr because of your unprofessionalism. How could you be so ungrateful to rub your maker the wrong way?
Malini: Mr Bhansali is not just my producer but my maker. I would not be where I am today if it was not for him. With all due respect to his talents as director, I believe he has made the wrong choice for lead actress in DARR. I have seen the film many times and the role just does not suit the actress that he has chosen. Kiran’s role requires a sensuous girl that has an innocent sex appeal. I just cannot imagine the actress he has chosen in this role for 2 reasons. First, she does not have the body to carry it off and second, she is always covered from head to toe in every film. My fear is that she will do the same thing that she does in each film again in Darr and the film will bomb. One more point I want to make is that while I gave a blockbuster in a solo actress film DOSTANA, the actress chosen for DARR has given a super flop when she did a solo actress film GAYAB. As far as being unprofessional, I have already explained why I did not announce my move. If protecting your child and privacy is unprofessional then so be it!
TTO: Kanti Raaj is also on the list of those that you rubbed the wrong way. You signed his film and left him in a lurch.
Malini: Raaj and I have given the 2 biggest blockbusters in Trollywood – RACE and Dostana. I value my relationship with him as he has shown respect for my talent. I have so much trust in him that I told him I will sign his next film without even hearing the name of the film. I said “I don’t care what role you give me but we have to make our hat trick film!” He has signed Summer Pandey for his next magnum opus which is going to be either Ek Tha Tiger or a suspense drama which has 2 lead actresses in parallel roles opposite Summer. There’s no question of leaving Raaj in a lurch when I have given my word to him. If he felt insecure about my commitment to his film, I offer a public apology. He is the most successful director in Trollywood and I could never even dream of betraying his film or his trust.
TTO: There are rumors of your fallout with the Malhotra family. How could you separate Rahul's grandparents from their only grandkid?
Malini: As I have said, I will not comment on what I consider to be a personal family issue. Whatever the issue is, you can trust that we will work in out in privacy. All of us Malhotras have far too much class to air our dirty linen in public.
TTO: There are rumours also linking you to wanted crimal Richa. Are you associated with her in any way?
Malini: It's an insult to be asked this question. I do not associate with criminals. You should ask this question to those that partied, wined and dined with her and are only now trying to distance themselves from her. I have nothing to do with that con woman. I hope she's put behind bars where she belongs.
TTO: How are you planning to support yourself in the US?
Malini: Durga Ma has blessed us with enough to live on. I am a very humble soul but Rajiv (bless his soul) left Rahul with a good enough estate and since I am his caretaker, I am entitled to withdraw enough from his estate to survive. We realize that we don't take anything with us when we die, but are doing our best to live a decent life. Durga Maa ki kripa se we hope to find a nice house with a big yard soon for Rahul to play in. A good quality of life and education for my child is all I pray for along with the peace and happiness of all my fans. I wish each one of them a happy and prosperous year ahead as well as Happy Guru Poornima.
