Actress Rimi Sen, who ruled Bollywood in early 2000's with her back to back films like Hungama, Baghban, Garam Masala, Dhoom, Deewane Hue Paagal and Phir Hera Pheri disapperaed from the circuit after her journey in TV reality show Bigg Boss 9. It's been 10 years Rimi has not acted in films and has instead turned producer.
Now, the actress is willing to make a comeback in the industry and she spoke to SpotboyE.com at length about the reason of leaving the industry and what convinced her to make a comeback. Read on;
What made you quit films?
I was doing quite well 10 years back but I was only being offered comedy movies. And I was looking for my creative satisfaction which I wasn't getting out of the movies which I have done. I wanted to work in projects with directors like Shree Ram Raghvan, Soojit Sircar, Neeraj Pandey. But I didn't get. So it was a concious decision from my side to stop. I wanted to change the trend of me doing comedy movies and furniture roles.
What made you turn into a producer?
I stopped acting but I didn't want to leave the industry completely, that's why I thought to turn producer and get the creative satisfaction which I was craving for. I can make my kind of movies by being a producer. Waise bhi front of the camera jaane ke liye mujhe koi itna ambition nahi tha. Acting was not my passion, I was doing for money but slowly that interest grew in me. When the interest grew and I got serious about it I started looking for projects which did not happen.
But you have also been part of films which were not just comedy?
Yes, I did films like Johnny Gaddaar and Sankat City but unfortunately those films didn't do well at the box-office. So, my journey in comedy films and commercial films remained sucssesful than these sensitive movies. But I wasn't looking for that kind of sucsess.
Then what made you keep doing such films then?
Money was the only reason. As the only thing I know is acting. By doing all these films, I was making a lot of money and that was the time I was working for my survivial. And then when I got satisfied on that part I started looking for satisfaction as an actor. Although by doing those films, I am satisfied mentally, physically and monetarily.
What is the reason of you wanting to make a comeback?
Because of these OTT Platforms, I feel the age limit for actresses have increased. Initially, the actresses had a age limit of 30-35 after which they used to start getting not worthy and side characters. But the time has changed now and age is not a barrior anymore. Also, all the characters are equally important. Pehle sirf ek character important hota tha baaki sab aise hi hote the. However, today I see the content is made in such a manner that all the characters have importance in the film and series. I feel with digital platform, there is lot of work and girls have longer age to fit in the roles. And that too good roles. Before good roles were not written for girls. And very few used to make a woman-centric film and even if that used to be made it didn't work commercially. That time people were scared to make woman oriented movies but now I feel that gender discrimination has disappeared. I feel sensible content is being made and all have equal opportunities.
What was the reason for you not getting the kind of roles you were looking at?
Firstly, I started my career with a comedy film so, they type cast me there. But most importnatly my PR was zero at that time and that didn't work in my favour. I used to not go and approach people for work. It was important to be in people's mind if you want to work with them and for that you had to go and meet people which I never used to do. That time my thought process was acting is just like hard work you are getting money for something you just had to go and perform and that's it. But in these 10 years, I realised not just acting but any profession is not just about you going and giving your shot and earn money, you have to meet so many people in life and you have to handle them accordingly.
Like?
Like you have to behave good with them and handle their ego. You cant be rude or diplomatic to them. You can't tell them anything directly that can hurt them.
So your attitude was the reason?
I was young and immature, it was like my way or high way kind of thing with me. Because I really didn't know how to handle people. Mujhe logo se baat karna unko handle karna nahi aata tha. But now, I have realised it's important to know how to handle people. At the end of the day, you have to live in the same society and you can't hurt anyone. One has to know how to be cordial with everyone.
Now, when you want to make a comeback what all are the things you have worked on yourself?
I have changed a lot and I think this change has come for my betterment only. I never cared about my body that time. I never went to the gym, I used to eat anything, didn't follow any diet. But now I have learnt how to take care of myself. I have started understanding my body and mind.
How did you manage 10 years without working?
I used to do a lot of events. I also produced a film Budhia Singh- Born To Win which also recieved a national award. I am working on a couple of projects as a producer and will announce about it, if everything gets finalised. Now, if I do acting it will be just for my creative satisfaction and not money.
Are you in discussion with anyone for a project where you will get to act?
Not yet but I am sure when people will learn that I am ready to make a comeback as an actor things will come to me. People are looking for good actors and I am hoping that they will consider me.
Actresses from your time have managed to sustain in the industry though...
Yes and the only reason was their PR which was really good. Hardwork is not the only key to have a long life here, you need to have a strong PR and lobby here, which I didn't have at that point of time.
Image Source: Instagram/subhamitra03
Image Source: Instagram/subhamitra03