Ques : You are at the crossroads of your career but you will not accept ornamental roles. there are not many roles of substance written for actresses like yourself. Right?
Rani : I do not think that Bollywood actors have a short shelf life. Look at Amitabh Bachchan. He has been around for four decades and is still going strong. He still has films that revolve around him and the reason for this is simple. Amitji has kept himself abreast of the times and he is open to doing roles that suit his age. Likewise, I think actresses too can continue working all their lives if they are willing to change with the times. Today if I am doing fewer films, it's because I choose to do less. My audience understands the kind of cinema I do and they follow my work closely. Nothing in the world can tempt me to do inconsequential films because if I do that I will only be offered those. I choose my films carefully and I repeat that's the reason why my audience gets excited with the cinema I associate myself with.
Ques : So you are saying that there is no shelf life for the Bollywood film heroine?
Rani : Listen I will change that. I wouldn't like to sit at home and rear kids forever. Someday my kids will grow up and have a life of their own and then what? I think they (the kids) should always know who they are born to so I will never give up. I do not wish to deprive my fans of my work nor do I wish to deprive myself of acting. Yes, if I lose the plot someday then I will pack my bags and leave. But for as long as the director behind the camera says: 'Rani, that was good' or 'Rani, I loved that shot'... I will go on.
Ques : Would a Dirty Picture or Heroine excite you?
Rani : Frankly, no. Both these films revolve around the film industry. When I am playing a character that is based on the film industry, I would want to project it the way I have seen things. Even when Zoya Akhtar offered me Luck By Chance, I refused because of the same reason. There is a tendency to sensationalise films that are based on our industry. But it isn't just about controversy and sensationalism. There is also hard work, focus, dedication, too. I know no one wants to see this side because it is boring. But I would like to do a film keeping this other side in mind. Coming back to The Dirty Picture, Vidya Balan was brilliant in it and I know Kareena will rock it with Heroine.
Ques : When you are not working you are rarely seen or heard. Is that a deliberate thing?
Rani : I do not feel the need to be seen and heard everyday. I'm happy that despite being out of sight, I still manage to occupy the mind space of my fans. I subscribe to the view that if you are an exciting actor, then the fans' last memory of you is the last film that you have done.
Ques : There were reports of you planning to turn director.
Rani : I have no plans to become a director in the near future. The role is one of humungous responsibility. He/she is the one who takes people from one shore to the other. The shore could be choppy or calm. But as the captain of the ship, he still has to land it safe. A director has to get the best out of the talented crew he has without upsetting anyone. I do not have the kind of temperament to take on that responsibility.
Ques : Digressing here, but one hears that you make the most amazing Tiramisu in Bollywood...
Rani : I discovered baking way back in college because I'm a Home Science student. However I didn't pursue my culinary skills because my father had a phobia about me being around fire. Three years ago, quite by accident, I tried baking. My first attempt was disastrous. But I did it over and over again, till I excelled. Also my father was a little more lenient because it did not involve a direct fire. So here I am...baking some amazing cakes, cookies and making the most sought after Tiramisu in town.
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