Raai Laxmi,
till now was known to most of us as the beautiful South Indian actress who was
linked to MS Dhoni. Now, she has grabbed headlines as the leading lady of
one of the boldest films in Bollywood set to hit screens this year, Julie 2.
The film became a talking point after the makers splashed a bikini-clad picture
of Laxmi on front pages and also because former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani
(who rallied against kissing scenes) became its distributor. In a candid
interview, the actress spoke to us about onscreen nudity, censorship, casting
couch, Dhoni, marriage and lots more.
Raai Laxmi In A Blue Swimsuit In Julie 2
Excerpts:
You were last
seen in Akira in a cameo, how did Julie 2 come to you?
In fact, I had
committed to Akira after Julie. It just happened that Akira released first and
Julie got a little delayed because of the multiple schedules and the weight
fluctuations I had to go through for the role. So officially, Julie 2 is my
first full-fledged Bollywood film. It is my 50th film and I was looking for a
commercial script to mark it.
Were you
comfortable with the fact that it is a franchise associated with a heavy dose
of sex?
That was my worry.
Julie had already created a certain impression and I knew that people would
expect the same from Julie 2. But when I heard the script, I realised that it
is nowhere close to Julie. It is a genre which requires some skin show but it
is not just because you want to show your body, it is just that its script
demands it. With the trailer and the teaser, the sex quotient has been ramped
up but the film has a message and a lot of substance. It is a thriller with a
good story. The reason why I wanted to do this film is because I think every
girl would relate to it and I too connected to some of the situations shown in
the film. There are many scenes which will make women go, ‘Yes this has
happened to me.’
Could
you give us an example?
Not just the
casting couch, they have shown a full life of an actress who achieved stardom.
You too may
have come across some indecent proposals in the industry?
I
thankfully was one of the lucky few who got an easy entry into films. I was
only 15 when I did my first film down South. I was a baby, I had no idea about
the industry I am getting into, I did not even know the language. The filmmaker
who introduced me was a father figure, he knew my family very well.
So, nobody
has tried to take advantage of you?
Casting couch is
not the only hurdle that every girl faces. But yes, if you are beautiful, it is
bound to happen. Frankly, you can be told to compromise in any industry.
It is just that because we are actors, we are highlighted in the media. No
doubt, I have gone through situations, where people have indirectly sent me the
message that this is your space--- if you want to be in it, be in it; it is
your choice.
Raai Laxmi In Julie 2 Trailer
Did you lose
films when you did not respond to those suggestive messages?
Of course. I
lost out on a lot of offers. You don’t get the right vibes and immediately know
that something is fishy. It was in that space where the intention was unclear
but it was distinctly uncomfortable and you are too scared to even ask
questions. So, it is better to stay away. If you continue despite your doubts
the person may think that you are playing along. I
was fortunate enough that I had an identity at a very young age and my career
was not affected too badly by this. But I have witnessed it happening to many
people.
Pahlaj
Nihalani, the former CBFC Chief, who is distributing the movie, famously
demanded that kissing scenes should be shortened in many films. What is your
take on censorship?
It is not in my
space to speak about censorship. But coming to Nihalani, I only knew him after
he came on board as a distributor.Julie 2 has got an A certificate. We
would still have got the same certificate if Nihalani had been in office today.
So
has the film got any cuts?
The trailer had
a few cuts and then the film had a few cuts. The way I see it is that Nihalani
played the role when he had to, and there are certain norms which he was
supposed to follow and he had to be within certain lines. I am no one to
question why he did what he did because as I said, he was doing his job.
Raai Laxmi Poses For A Photo Shoot
When it comes
to films, should we still stay within those lines or change our outlook?
If you see the
kind of web series which are being made in India, it will be clear that there
are no limitations here too. Because digital content is not censored, people
are experimenting and pushing boundaries. I think India has welcomed these
changes. However, there is still a certain set of audiences who do not want to
see such things and that is why there is so much halla bol happening. As a
youngster, I would love to watch something new and exciting which is true to
the script. If a person has to be naked in the scene then he/she cannot be
wearing clothes. If you have to be naked, you have to be naked. But I would not
appreciate if it was a forced act. For example, I enjoy watching Game Of
Thrones. I want to see everything the character goes through, otherwise I would
be disappointed. The youth is welcoming but there is a certain set who feels
that it is “too much” for our culture. But th objecting audiences have to
change. For example, my parents. They are from a different generation and I
would think twice before I showed my film to them. But now, they have to accept
what I do because the youth is changing.
Did
you show Julie 2 to your parents?
My father
has seen the film. We have never discussed how he feels about those
sequences because we do not share that kind of bond. But he appreciated the
film, the way it has turned out.
You
said that if a script demands nudity, there has to be nudity. Will you ever do
a nude scene?
I wouldn’t be
comfortable doing it because I am not prepared for it, my mind will not accept
it. It is all in your mind. Like nudity is acceptable in many places abroad,
where people walk around without clothes. It’s all about your culture and your
mindset.
But then, you
never know. Today I may say no, tomorrow I may do it because it
has become common and acceptable. In our country, it’s still not acceptable but
people want to see it. It’s a very weird space to be in. The youth wants to see
bold content but they cannot talk about it or they will be judged.
Ex-Lovers Mahendra Singh Dhoni And Raai Laxmi
Also, there
has been a lot of discussion about the length of kissing scenes which are
shown on screen. Does it make a difference if it is 7 seconds or 15 seconds
while lips lock?
If it is a
kissing scene and you only show a peck, then the whole meaning and feeling will
not translate onscreen. When the public finally sees that scene, they will feel
cheated.
So, you do
not believe in cutting the lovemaking scenes short either?
I don’t think
anybody wants to waste footage. If you drag a kissing scene and keep rolling,
eventually the people watching it will get bored. No one will do that
deliberately. But if there is a long scene and that is what the filmmaker
wants, you are only ruining his vision. Nobody watches films to see such stuff
per se, they would then rather watch porn.
This
interview will be incomplete without talking about my favourite cricketer and
your ex M S Dhoni...
Who’s
he?(Laughs)
You
had said that your association with Dhoni is like a stain which won’t go away
for a long time?
This needs to
have a full stop. It was a long time ago, he is happily married now, he has
kids. Everybody knows everybody in today’s world and you may end up with a
person tomorrow whom you don’t know today. It is the process of life
and certain things don't work out, and then you have to move on.
Hmm... were
you crestfallen when it (the relationship with Dhoni) didn’t work out?
It was not in
that space and the media wrote about it before that.I have dated four other men
after that but nobody is talking about them. It’s about Dhoni, just because it
is sensational news.
Are you
saying that you were not dating him?
It is not about
dating or not dating. But people had quickly taken it to a level that I was
going to get married to him- and that was simply not true. The hype got us into
an awkward space and that is why I do not talk to the media much about thus--
but I am talking a bit now. I do not want to speak about him in detail because
I respect him a lot.
Raai Laxmi In Julie 2 Poster
What's after Julie 2?
Hopefully, I
will be well received in Bollywood. I am here to act and entertain. Bollywood
has given me a lot of warmth and love. Let's see where Julie 2 takes me.
You dated
four men after your association with Dhoni, you said. Are you seeing anyone
right now?
I am single and
only in a relationship with my work right now. I am enjoying being single right
now.
How
important are relationships and love?
It’s an amazing feeling,
having someone in your life who loves and respects you. It is great
to have someone to go back home and cuddle with. Love is something that you
want to have but it gets into a bad place when you have different priorities in
life.
Coming back
to the four men. How do you deal with heart-break?
As actors, we
all have personal lives which we keep away from the media and public. And I
wouldn’t want to share so many details of my life. Dealing with personal
setbacks is not easy but I have to keep myself preoccupied. Sometimes you can’t
even focus at work when you have a heart-break but you fight out those battles.
If I am idle, I am the weakest person when it comes to love.
Raai Laxmi Looks Pretty In A Maroon Gown
How about
getting married?
I am not in a
space where I can say that I want to get married soon. Being in a relationship
is not always about getting married.
I think I have told you everything and I
don't know why.
Image Source: instatrix, southreels, twitter/iamlakshmirai, instagram/iamraailaxmi, actresshotstills & youtube/triumphtalkies