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'Even if your film is a hit and you're not appreciated, you're dropped like a hot brick'

Mahima (Click for bigger pic!)

Why did you change your name from Ritu to Mahima? Was it done at Subhash Ghai's insistence?

Not at all. As it is I wasn't too happy with my name, so when Subhashji asked me if I wanted to change my name, I was more than ready for it.

Secondly there was a Ritu (Shivpuri) already present in the industry and I didn't want to be confused with her. Subhashji said that he was happy with Ritu but if I wanted to change it, let it be with an M, because the letter M has always proved lucky for him.

After going through several names we settled for Mahima because it was not a common name and it also had a nice meaning. Mahima means God's greatness. Anyway this has come as a blessing in disguise for me because whenever someone calls for Ritu I know it's a friend and if the call is for Mahima I know it's official.

Subhash Ghai's films are marketed with a lot of hype, but that seems to be missing with Pardes. Is it a deliberate ploy to underplay expectations after the Trimurti debacle?

I don't know the reason for it, but I think it's good. Y'see, hype can be beneficial in a certain way but on the other hand, it also builds up lofty expectations and makes it more difficult for the film to succeed.

I guess Subhashji had a bad experience with his last film Trimurti and didn't want to repeat the experiance. Not that I am complaining. It's good because there hasn't been any unnecessary gossip or nasty stories about the film. Also it's not as if the film hasn't had any pre-release publicity.

Now that Pardes is almost ready to hit the theatres, things are moving on the publicity front.

Now that Pardes is ready for release, has the experience been a fulfilling one?

Oh yes, absolutely. Working in the film was so much fun. One got to learn such a lot. Subhashji is a great director. So relaxed, so much at ease. You don't get the feeling that you're involved in a project which involves such a lot of money. The whole thing was like a picnic. We didn't have to worry about a thing, everything was taken care of. Working for my first film was so wonderful that I hope it hasn't spoiled me for the future. I hope my future films also have such an atmosphere.

Did you always plan on becoming an actress? Would you have pursued this career if this opportunity wouldn't have presented itself?

I would be lying if I said that I always dreamed of becoming an actress. I certainly had no such plans. But once I started modelling and did it for almost three years I realised that I couldn't do this for the rest of my life.

(Click for bigger pic!)

Films were the natural next choice. But I didn't want to jump at just any offer. Even when I did my first Pepsi ad I started getting offers. I was in a boarding in Darjeeling and at the time I felt that I was too young to embark on a career in films. So I decided to bide my time and wait for the right opportunity to come my. And when it did I guess I grabbed it with both hands.

It is surprising that you opted for Pardes when you had other fabulous offers too.

Yeah, it's true that I was offered other films. When I did my first Pepsi ad with Aamir (Khan) itself I started getting offers. But as I told you I wasn't ready for it. I was offered Mani Ratnam's Aasai, Nagarjuna's Ninne Pelladatha but at the time I was in school and didn't know if I even wanted to be in films. As for Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Kareeb, by then I'd already signed Pardes so I felt its better to concentrate on one film rather than take on too many projects.

Is it true that you haven't signed any other film apart from Pardes? Isn't it kind of risky?

Yeah, I haven't but I'm going to start signing them now. I don't think its risky. Even if Pardes doesn't do well that's okay. Akshaye Khanna's Himalaya Putra didn't do well, but he's doing well. Other newcomers start off with a major blockbuster, but that's no guarantee that they'll survive.

Even if your film is a hit and you're not appreciated, you're dropped like a hot brick. So one can't say anything out here. It all depends on destiny. So I'm not worried. I don't want to make any hasty decisions and the regret them later. Anyhow I feel Pardes will do well.

It's a very well-made film. Now that I've waited so long what's the point in rushing into things? Also I'm a great believer in God. I think whatever he has decided for me will be the best for me in the long run. If he wants me to stay in this line, nobody will be able to throw me out and if he doesn't nothing I do will prevent my departure from the film industry.

Even though Pardes is complete, why does Ghai insist on reshooting so much? Isn't he clear of what he wants and he doesn't? In fact, it is well known that he keeps shooting till almost the premiere of the film.

That's not true! Subhashji is very clear about what he wants. We haven't reshot anything. The songs are all shot in America, Mysore and other places, they can't be re-shot. Only one or two things of Shah Rukh are remaining. But that's because he recently broke his leg and couldn't shoot.

(Click for bigger pic!)

Other than that nothing is remaining. I don't know how these rumours generate? I've even read somewhere that he wasn't happy with me because I kept muffing up my lines. It's all rubbish! Subhashji doesn't insist on sticking to lines. He gives his actors a free hand because he wants them to perform naturally. He says one should do what comes spontaneously. So he doesn't give us more than two takes. As for shooting till the premiere, I think it is just empty talk, there's no truth in it. In fact, Subhash Ghai is so certain about what he wants that it is uncanny.

How satisfied are you with your performance in your first film?

Umm, I don't know. I've seen the rushes and I feel that I've done fairly well. But more than that I think the movie's nice. I'm over-critical about my performance but everybody in the unit feels that I've done a good job. Now it is left to the audience. Their judgement is what matters, what difference does it make what I feel about myself. I hope I'm appreciated.

See it's like this. When I see an actor I think he's fabulous. But the actor himself might feel that he could have done much better. It's a personal opinion. All in all, I guess I'm okay with what I've done in Pardes. And remember it is only my first film. I still have a long way to go before I can become an accomplished actress.

Let's stray a bit and talk about your personal life. It is being said that you are involved with the other hero ofPardes, Apoorva.

What rubbish! There's nothing like that between us. We're just friends. Just because we were both newcomers, we had a lot to share but beyond that I guess since one is in this field one has to get used to such rumours. But let me categorically state that it's not true. As of now I'm not seeing anyone, when I do I certainly won't have any hesitation in talking about it.

It's not that I'm image-conscious or anything like that. I think it is perfectly healthy to have a boyfriend. But it has not happened as yet. That's okay. Right now I'm too busy concentrating on my career to bother with such distractions. But I have an open mind. If it happens I won't run away from it.

Life would be perfect if one can balance one's personal and professional life. I hope to do that. Let's wait and see if I manage it. I take things as they come. I believe in the take-it-easy policy. There's no point worrying about things that are anyway not under your control.

So don't worry, be happy.