Mumbai:
Hitherto-good boy Tusshar Kapoor will be seen in a bold avatar, complete with a kiss and a lovemaking scene in Dirty Picture, where co-star Vidya Balan will play Silk Smitha
Q.You have been cast in Dirty Picture, which explores the Silk Smitha story. Did you know the 1980s actress at all?
A.I have grown up watching her songs as my father (film star Jeetendra) has done so many films in the South. She played the cabaret dancer in so many of his films such as Jaani Dost, Akalmand, Hoshiyar etc. In the early 1980s, we would visit Annapurna studio where huge dance sets would be put up and Silk Smitha would be a regular face. But I never interacted with her then. I was too young.
Q.What is your role in Dirty Picture?
A.I'm playing one of her love interests. He is a stabilising influence in her life. He is climbing up the ladder of success, and is clear that he wants a normal relationship despite her unconventional life. Milan sir (director, Luthria) asked me to see Shyam Benegal's Bhoomika to get ideas from Amol Palekar's role, though in that film he had some shades of grey.
Q.Is it true that you have some bold scenes with Vidya Balan, who plays Silk Smitha? Isn't there a liplock as well?
A.We have a volatile and passionate relationship in the film. Yes, Vidya and I are going to lock lips and there is also a lovemaking scene in the film. We are going to make it as realistic as possible; she had a number of lovers in her life. Normally, people say they will do it if the script requires it ... here the script really does demand it.
Q.Will you be comfortable getting intimate before the cameras?
A.Of course I will be comfortable. Once you are in front of the camera, you have to lose your inhibitions. It is not that you get aroused; at that moment all you want is for the shot to be okayed. Doing a kissing scene is like doing an action scene -- it's part of your job. I'm confident. (Laughs) I hope I don't get cold feet when I actually do the scene.
Q.Have you met up with Vidya Balan to discuss the sequence?
A.I know Vidya socially. When we meet at a party, we talk a lot. She is very easy to talk to. But we haven't discussed the film. Milan has said all the actors will have a workshop for the film.
Q.Do you think she has the sensuality required for the role?
A.We often misunderstand people for the characters they play. It happened with me when I played Bhuva in Shootout At Lokhandwala. People see me as a comic actor, but I also have an aggressive side. Vidya has done sober roles, so I guess her doing Dirty Picture will also become the USP of the film. She is a fine actress and has a lot of sensuality which people have not seen on screen.
Q.Why did you wait 10 years for your first kiss and lovemaking scene onscreen?
A.I never planned my career. I have to prove myself in every genre of film and thankfully someone thought of me as Silk Smitha's lover.
Q.Wasn't that someone your sister Ekta, who is producing Dirty Picture?
A.I never interacted with Ekta on this film; Milan sir informed me about Dirty Picture. When I was in Las Vegas in December, Milan wanted to meet me. We discussed the script and I was on board. He then informed Ekta. In our company, it is the director who takes the casting call.
Q.You have been cast in Dirty Picture, which explores the Silk Smitha story. Did you know the 1980s actress at all?
A.I have grown up watching her songs as my father (film star Jeetendra) has done so many films in the South. She played the cabaret dancer in so many of his films such as Jaani Dost, Akalmand, Hoshiyar etc. In the early 1980s, we would visit Annapurna studio where huge dance sets would be put up and Silk Smitha would be a regular face. But I never interacted with her then. I was too young.
Q.What is your role in Dirty Picture?
A.I'm playing one of her love interests. He is a stabilising influence in her life. He is climbing up the ladder of success, and is clear that he wants a normal relationship despite her unconventional life. Milan sir (director, Luthria) asked me to see Shyam Benegal's Bhoomika to get ideas from Amol Palekar's role, though in that film he had some shades of grey.
Q.Is it true that you have some bold scenes with Vidya Balan, who plays Silk Smitha? Isn't there a liplock as well?
A.We have a volatile and passionate relationship in the film. Yes, Vidya and I are going to lock lips and there is also a lovemaking scene in the film. We are going to make it as realistic as possible; she had a number of lovers in her life. Normally, people say they will do it if the script requires it ... here the script really does demand it.
Q.Will you be comfortable getting intimate before the cameras?
A.Of course I will be comfortable. Once you are in front of the camera, you have to lose your inhibitions. It is not that you get aroused; at that moment all you want is for the shot to be okayed. Doing a kissing scene is like doing an action scene -- it's part of your job. I'm confident. (Laughs) I hope I don't get cold feet when I actually do the scene.
Q.Have you met up with Vidya Balan to discuss the sequence?
A.I know Vidya socially. When we meet at a party, we talk a lot. She is very easy to talk to. But we haven't discussed the film. Milan has said all the actors will have a workshop for the film.
Q.Do you think she has the sensuality required for the role?
A.We often misunderstand people for the characters they play. It happened with me when I played Bhuva in Shootout At Lokhandwala. People see me as a comic actor, but I also have an aggressive side. Vidya has done sober roles, so I guess her doing Dirty Picture will also become the USP of the film. She is a fine actress and has a lot of sensuality which people have not seen on screen.
Q.Why did you wait 10 years for your first kiss and lovemaking scene onscreen?
A.I never planned my career. I have to prove myself in every genre of film and thankfully someone thought of me as Silk Smitha's lover.
Q.Wasn't that someone your sister Ekta, who is producing Dirty Picture?
A.I never interacted with Ekta on this film; Milan sir informed me about Dirty Picture. When I was in Las Vegas in December, Milan wanted to meet me. We discussed the script and I was on board. He then informed Ekta. In our company, it is the director who takes the casting call.
