2011 has not been kind to Malini Malhotra so far as new polls suggest that arch rival Natasha Rai is running shoulder to shoulder with her at the numero uno spot. After ruling the industry for almost a decade, her position is being threatened. We caught up with her to see how she feels about this new development in her career and to get an update on her strategies to stay on top.Q: You made headlines recently by refusing several big films like NoOne Killed Sashi and 7 Frauds Maaf. Isn't it true that you are too scared to work outside the BPP banner after the debacle of We R Family?
Malini Malhotra: By the grace of Durga Maa I have spent almost 10 years in this industry so I am not scared of a few flops. Hits and flops are part of the business as none of us are perfect. Honestly, these kinds of roles that are being offered to me, I have to think hard before taking them. Initially I liked the concept of these films but after reading the script, I realized that it was very mean spirited. And I realized that I was just going to be used in these films to make very personal attacks against a well known trollywood personality. Once I realized this, I did not want to be part of this "circus atmosphere" and therefore rejected these films. I have a responsibility towards my fans and I can't do random things. I have to do a role that catches people's attention but not roles that disrespect my colleagues. If my fans love me so much, the least I can do is to come out with good, entertaining films for them. I keep hoping and praying that I get scripts which are different so that I can take up those films. As an actor I want to be seen more so if StarZ® or any other production house has challenging roles for me, I will be delighted to consider these offers. However, I will not allow them to use my name to make personal attacks on anyone!
Q: Until just a few months ago, you were the undisputed numero uno actress in Trollywood. However, all that seems to have changed now with your contemporary Natasha Rai running neck to neck with you. Do you think your time on the top is over?
Malini Malhotra: Honestly, only my fans can answer that question because they are the ones who will determine how long I can stay on top of my career. All I know is that I take each one of their comments very seriously and I have vowed to always do different types of versatile roles so that they do not get tired of seeing me! With regards to Natasha, in the past she has always had the same look and expression in every film but I congratulated her for Fashion as I believe she has shown some improvement in this film. But I don't like being compared to her or anyone else because we all have our own different approaches to our roles. For me, Fashion was not a beauty contest and if it was, my look would have been completely different. Fashion for me, was a film where I was required to look like a supermodel and show stopper Shonali and I believe I have played my part very convincingly. I can't speak for the other actresses but critics and fans all agree that I looked very much like a top notch model in this film. I can only hope that Mr. Bhansali appreciates my work and offers me his next directorial venture - Darr.
Q: Could you please announce your forthcoming films?
Malini Malhotra: In my next film Lajja directed by Marvinder Johar, I play the lead role of Janaki, a classical theater actress. This is very much like Seeta maa kind of role in this film. This character exposes the hypocricy of men in our society who treat us like glamour dolls with no feelings. Just yesterday BPP and I reached an agreement and I can now announce that I have been signed by Kanti Raj Shah to play the lead opposite newcomers Farhaaz Khan and Summer Pandey in Dostana. Initially I was shocked when Kanti was searching for a new girl for Dostana after our last film RACE had become the biggest blockbuster in Trollywood! I felt hurt that he did not come to me directly, even though he had loved my work in Race. I expressed to BPP that I would even accept an item number in Dostana as Kanti's first film Race meant so much for me. I knew that any part in this film would do wonders for my career. I found out later though that another actress had been offered the beautiful item number in Dostana and even though she was also part of Race's success, she rejected the offer. I cried like a baby in the temple and by some miracle, I landed a role in Dostana - not the item number but the lead role.. Jab bhagwan deta hai to chappad phad ke deta hai! I am absolutely thrilled that Kanti came back to me for Race but I should also clear the air that Chameli had to leave the film for personal reasons. She is a beautiful girl but perhaps this was the wrong time for her to enter Trollywood as she is just coming out to her family. After Chameli left, BPP was anxious to start the film quickly and signed me on since I was even willing to do an item song for them. I think when you are sincere and loyal to your producers and directors, they really take notice. I am confident that with Dostana, I will wow the crowds and consolidate my position in this industry.
Q. Dostana stars Farhaaz Khan and Summer Pandey, who are both younger than you. In addition to this, the role you are playing is that of a young girl in her early twenties. Are you sure you will be able to pull this off?
Malini Malhotra: When I used to play homely Indian characters in GMM, Devdas, KANK, LCMD and Silsila, no one could have believed that I can pull off glamor girl roles like Shonali. But after Race and now Fashion where I played a supermodel, I have proved everyone wrong. I can do anything I put my mind into. And if you liked me in Race and Fashion, you will love me in Dostana, where I am going to do the unexpected and take my new glamourous image to a completely new level. I think that age is nothing but a number. As long as I am in great shape, I will always look young. That is the one big advantage of being petite.
Q: There are rumors that you charge a hefty fee to StarZ and work pro-bono for BPP. Why the double standards?
Malini Malhotra: Firstly, I am a BPP discovery and am very loyal to this production house. Whatever our personal differences, I am professionally bound to them as they introduced me and gave me a platform to display my talents. I can never dream to reject their films - even if it happens to be an insignificant part or even an item number. As an example, I was not the lead protagonist in Race but did it solely based on trust since I knew that BPP will always be fair to me. I have always expressed willingness to do anything that they offered me, without even hearing about the role. This is just the kind of humble and well grounded person that I am. I can never be arrogant as to walk out of their films since I appreciate how they launched my career. Secondly, unlike BPP, StarZ is not a non-profit production house. So, it is only fair that if they are making thousands of dollars from my films, then I should get my share of those proceeds.
Q. Which actress do you consider to be your biggest competition in Trollywood?
Malini Malhotra: I think Deepika Parajuli really took me by surprise in We R Family. Although the film didn't do well, her work was well appreciated and I could not believe how amazing her acting abilities were. She has already bagged the Tfare Awards for 2010 and I think people are really going to be surprised when they see her in Lajja. She is one actress I believe that has what it takes to reach the top. She has the right body, looks and attitude to succeed. We R Family may not have done well but remember that from Sridevi to Madhuri and from Juhi to Rani - all their first films were disasters. Wait for Lajja and you will know what I am talking about.
Q. But what about Natasha and Monisha Rai?
Malini Malhotra: Oh, I thought you were asking me about "actresses." If there is any "act" in actress, then Deepika is my only competition.
