Amisha Patel interview

‘Vikram has brought stability in my life’

What makes you positive about ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’?
Priyadarshan and I have always wanted to work together. Somehow it never happened. With this film, we broke the jinx. I began this year on a positive note by shooting with him.

Why are you doing such few films?
In the first few years after ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’ I was not choosy. Todayenjoying being selective. I’d like to do comedies (post ‘Honeymoon Travels Pvt Limited’) and even exploit my potential as a dancer. I am a trained Bharat Natyam dancer. My soul comes alive when I dance. I’d also like to explore dark genres. I’ll be doing a Yash Raj film to be directed by Kunal Kohli. I want to do one film at a time and get my look and act right.

Are you satisfied with your career?
I didn’t use the shortcuts to success. I can proudly watch my films with my grandchildren. I came in at a time, when there were star children all around. But I made a place for myself without making any enemies.

What’s the one truth you’ve learnt along the way?
Though creative people are said to be ruled by their hearts, at the end of the day, this is a business and you are a commodity. You have to remember that a bright new tin will move you off the shelf eventually. You have to accept that you are not immortal and that ultimately you will just be a picture on the wall. Now I don’t take the terms ‘Good Friday’ and ‘Black Friday’ seriously. Apart from cinema, I want to envelope life through travel, books and other things.

A gold medallist in Economics, do you regret chucking up academics for films?
Everyone comes at a crossroad in life. But one thing I do know—no profession brings so much love. I am too restless for a 9 to 5 job. Being an actor takes you to people’s homes and hearts.

Have you given marriage a thought?
I am too selfish about my career. I don’t have the selflessness and commitment for marriage. I am too busy to give of myself to another person. I do not want to take a responsibility, which I am not prepared for. I don’t want to give failure a chance because I am not ready.

What has Vikram Bhatt added to your life?
Both of us are not comfortable talking about our relationship. The sanctity of a relationship is between two people. But he has been rock solid by my side and brought stability in my life.

Tell us something about your favourite person—your grandmother.
My granny (Susheela Patel Gokhale) and I share a striking resemblance to her. She has brought me up. She often says that to follow the path of truth is difficult, but one has to. She’s my sister, my mother and my brother. From Madonna to motherhood, I can talk about anything with her.
"I love cutting cakes, popping open champagne bottles..."
The one friend who makes it a point to meet/wish you every single year on your birthday?
“So many friends do that. Sanchita, Prachi, Shalu, Tejal... and their respective spouses. We are the inseparable gang of girls and it’s a riot when we get together.”

The one thing you just HAVE to do on your birthday...?
“I love cutting cakes, popping open champagne bottles, having my friends sing for me at the top of their voices. I’m like a child in a candy shop. All my friends have outgrown ‘birthdays’, but I seem to still enjoy mine. It’s exciting and I properly plan for it even till today. I usually begin looking forward to the special day a month before and I remind all those near and dear to me to plan my birthday. I also tell them what I’d like to have for a birthday present. No formalities with them whatsoever!”

So what are your plans this year?
“I’m working all day. I’m going to be shooting for an ad-campaign with Priyadarshan. Then later in the evening there are plans to visit a lounge. Let’s see. Actually, we’ve already had some celebrations – dinner at friends houses and all that. My friends call this Ameesha’s Happy Birthday Week. I like to ease it in and the ease it out. So pre-birthday celebrations, birthday celebrations and post-birthday celebrations is ideal!

So what are the presents you have received this year?
“Till now, a Louis Vuitton bag, a lovely phone, a pair of designer shoes, a huge bottle of pink champagne that can feed a party of 40 people!”

Any memories of birthdays celebrated in school?
“My birthday always fell in the summer holidays. And during that time we were usually in London, as we were there visiting my uncles and cousins. So, as a child, I’ve always celebrated my birthdays in either Paris or London. In school, I usually celebrated it on the first day of school after summer vacation.”

The most interesting return gift you gave away to your friends when you were younger would be...?
“Beautiful pens, which had my name on it. I remember in standard five, we were allowed to write in ink pens. No more pencils for us! So I gave everyone in class an ink pen with my name and birth date imprinted on it in gold. Also, I am all candy pink. I love that colour and hearts and all that. So, yes, I’ve had my fair share of Barbie and Ken birthdays...oh, I’ve done all of that!”

The most ‘ideal’ gift you’d like to receive this year?
“May God give my grandmother immortality! I wish for blessings for myself and my near and dear ones, and yes, a mind-blowing script! I want to do good work, and right now don’t quite crave for anything materialistic!”

Any surprise birthday parties?
“Yes, when I was 21. I was in Annecy, France, attending summer school, when my uncle arranged a party for me over the weekend around my birthday and even had some friends from Bombay flown in. He took us to a 5-star French Hotel, a lavish place frequented usually by rock-stars. Unforgettable!

Ameesha’s favourite birthday suit...oops birthday dress, we mean?
“There was this cute pink frock that I had, and with it was of course matching shoes, hanky-pin, ribbons... And every year I wanted to wear it on my birthday. I of course outgrew it, eventually!”

Have birthdays changed post your actress status?
“Not quite. Yes, I receive flowers from colleagues from the film fraternity, but celebrations are kept within my circle of friends. It’s a very private moment, when I let my hair down. So I don’t like to make it a grand wedding reception sort of event.”

Marriage? not now: Amisha
Amisha Patel is making no bones to admit she is in love but would check her compatibility with the partner before walking down the aisle. The actress speaks to HTTabloid about her idea of a relationship.

With Emraan Hashmi getting married to her girlfriend and Ash-Abhi getting engaged, it seems marriage has become a buzz word in film industry. What do you think?
I do believe in the institution of marriage but I am not in a hurry right now. I still have to do lots of things. But before getting married, I would prefer to check how compatible my relationship would be with the person I'm tying a knot with.

Does that mean you prefer live-in relationship over marriage?
There is nothing wrong in living in. It provides a platform to check the compatibility in your relationship. When you live in with a person, you know him as much as he knows you. There is no scope for cheating or false promises. After a few years, if both agree to live together for whole life, one can proceed to get married. So, I think I will also check my compatibility with the person before tying knot with him.

What if he is not compatible? Will you leave him.
It’s not going to be a one-sided affair. It’s better to have broken relationship than broken marriage. So, I don’t have any problem in walking out of that relation. I don’t want to suffocate and spoil my whole life and the same thing applies to him also. It’s a matter of mutual understanding and commitment. As long as this commitment exits, relationship lasts.

So, you are finally in love with someone?
Yes, I am in love and it’s a wonderful feeling but let me keep it to myself. I am enjoying every moment of it but it will transform into marriage only when I realize that both of us are committed to each other for the whole life.