Excerpts from the conversation that followed:
It's twenty minutes to midnight, but we won't hurry...
Sure. Ask what you want.
Did you imagine that Masaan will become a more important milestone in your career than Gangs Of Wasseypur?
Neeraj Ghaywan (director) asked me if I would do the film since he was a first time director. I was convinced with the subject and immediately said 'yes'.
Fine, but that didn't answer my question...
(Laughs) Look, you are in the media. So, you are gauging a different type of response. My life is still the same (pauses).
Go on...
Okay, I am feeling great that the film is running to packed houses even after three weeks. I am very happy for myself. It's a nice feeling.
Was it a nice feeling doing that extremely bold lovemaking scene in the film? Did you have any apprehensions?
No, I didn't have any apprehensions. I know Neeraj since quite some time. I trust him.
Still...
(Interrupts) The scene isn't vulgar. To me, it is simply two people in the act. There is no hold up on a kiss. The camera doesn't zoom in to capture close-ups. You get drawn into that dingy, tacky hotel room... those bed sheets, curtains. I didn't get scandalised.
But that guy's movements... Wasn't it a sort of first in Indian cinema?
You have to show that, don't you? We wanted it to look real. Gone are the days when a man and woman sniffed each other's neck to depict that they are having sex.
Was it easy to watch that sex scene with your family?
My parents saw the film in a screening in Delhi and I was around. Koi khush toh nahi hota hai ye sab dekhkar. It wasn't an easy moment. We are Indians.
You said somewhere that 'a film like Masaan does not pay'.
Yeah, paise nahin milte lekin baki sab kuch mil jata hai.
You mean that such a film pays relatively less...
Kam milte hai, aur kabhi hum nahi lete. It will be unethical on my part to elaborate on this. Sometimes, we all do films for the passion to tell a good story. Let me tell you what an enjoyable experience Masaan has been. We even shot chronologically. Like for one, Vicky Kaushal (the film's male lead) and I, who meet only in the last scene in the film, never met on the sets before that scene was actually shot. And mind you, it was shot only towards the very end of the final schedule.
Have you raised your market price after Masaan?
(Laughs) Depends on the project. I am reading scripts. Moreover, I have films like Jiya Aur Jiya, Main Aur Charles, Aur Devdas and Cabaret in the pipeline. They are all in post-production stage. Let's see how those fare (short pause). Should I think of raising my market price?
Acting is your profession...
Yes, acting is my profession and not my hobby. At the same time, I also know that my films don't tend to have the budget to fulfill all the needs of a person staying in Mumbai. But yes, I am doing one commercial film now, it's Pooja Bhatt's Cabaret. As of now, I am going to take a short break and indulge in some travel. I start the next schedule of Cabaret by end of this month.
You'll go to France to meet your boyfriend Franck Gastambide (French actor-director)?
I have never said that Franck is my boyfriend and we are having a great time. I have said that it's difficult to have a relationship across continents.
Aren't you still in touch with him?
Yes. I am.
Is it possible that you develop a relationship with him?
Frankly, I haven't thought about this. He is quite busy. It's a small world. We are connected by technology but there's only a certain amount that technology can do. I think I will be able to talk on this after my holiday.
Then you'll take a call?
It's not a job offer that I'll have to take a call.
You both are attracted to each other, isn't it?
All good-looking people are attracted to each other in the film world (short pause). I am saying this to be cheeky. The fact is that I really don't know what to actually say in reply to this question of yours (laughs shyly).
You also said somewhere that 'you are very responsible with your body'. What did you mean by that?
Either you are a person who is okay with giving your body to everyone or you are just responsible. I think I am responsible.
Lauren Gottlieb (Welcome To Karachi, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa) was the first choice for Cabaret...
Yes, she had even signed the film. I don't know what happened after that.
What did Cabaret's director Pooja Bhatt say after seeing Masaan?
She gave me a big hug. She is not known to produce such type of films but she has a very open mind.
Did you ever have a formal training in acting? You are a brilliant actress...
I wanted to act and I came to Mumbai. I did a couple of auditions and was told that I don't know anything. I got a complex. I didn't go to FTII or any acting institute. After some time I started working with Barry John. I got a minuscule role in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and then didn't get work for 18 months. I started attending workshops- be it in Parel or Pondicherry.
Did your parents get worried when you told them that it's Bollywood for you?
Yes, but they supported me.
It's 20 minutes past midnight. My last question: Did you ever feel that it's not happening for you?
Woh toh abhi bhi lagta hai kabhi kabhi (laughs). Every actor has moments of self-doubt.