DLD‰‰†‰KDLD‰‰†‰DLD‰‰†‰MDLD‰‰†‰C 8 MATINEE MASALA DELHI TIMES, THE TIMES OF INDIA TUESDAY 12 AUGUST 2003 Raghu Romeo directed by Rajat Kapoor; it’s heard that this film Maria sets the ball rolling has been selected for screening at e saw the lovely Maria her talking nineteen to the dozen the open-air theatre at the Piazza W Goretti spinning in action in front of the camera. She’ll use Grande, in the non-competition Gracy Singh: Miss Perfectionist at the World Cup held earlier this all the energies for proving her section at Locarno International year in South Africa. Well, she’s histrionic abilities instead. Film Festival 2003. Finally,Maria URVASHI ASHAR Every actor has their back and this time you won’t find Maria is starring in a film titled has set the ball rolling again. own way of portraying What’s your role in the a particular character. film Gangaajal? For me, I can’t swim. I Gangaajal is a film based probably would have on police and society in which played another sport or I play a police officer’s wife. indulged in some other What made you want to adventurous activity do this role? like horse riding or I found the story unique. It something, to bring out is based on true-life incidents the character.I and also conveys a very im- am scared portant social message. Also, of water commercially I think it will be and so appreciated. there’s Prakash Jha had said no rea- while Ajay Devgan is a vol- son for cano of energy, Gracy is an me to actress whose potential has- wear a n’t been tapped. Do you bikini. think he, as a director, has In- managed to tap your poten- dustry ple say you are averse to ex- part of the film. It was a pleas- tial in Gangaajal? peo- posing and that you work ure to work with Honey Prakashji is a perfectionist by your own rules. Do Irani. If a film sounds prom- and it has been very helpful you think this is ad- ising, you go on to accept it for me as an actress to have versely affecting and give it your best shot. I worked with him. He’s a very your career? don’t get carried away with sensitive director who under- In fact, its work- hits or flops. stands emotions, and the way ing wonderfully for Which film, according to he has projected subtle emo- me. I am being of- you, will be your next big tions of life is amazing. fered roles which Lagaan? There was a controversy may have been of- I have finished shooting for around you declining Har- fered to more es- four films. And, of course, I ry Baweja’s Qayamat. tablished ac- will want every film of mine What’s the real reason? tresses. I am get- to be a Lagaan. Qayamat was offered to ting strong char- With controversies be it me. I have no problems acters to portray the Kim Sharma controver- working with anybody. and I consider sy or the Qayamat contro- When I came to know that that to be a very versy at such an early stage the dates weren’t coinciding, big achievement. of your career, would you I didn’t take the project fur- Coming to Armaan, say that your journey so far ther, so much so that I didn’t they made you cut your has been a struggle? even go on to read the script. waist-length hair to For all the things that go wr- Neha Dhupia was made shoulder length for the ong, its the price you pay to be- to wear a bikini and walk film, and to top that, the come an actor. I try to ignore out of water. Would you film didn’t work at the them and focus only on my wo- have done that had the box office. Do you regret rk. I don’t even know Kim Sh- script been ok and if the the decision? arma. Its just a name for me. dates matched? I am very proud to be a (Filmfare Online) t last, some male mo- lection instantly for a televi- dels with attitude! sion style programme. The A Style watchers starved army’s loss was the ramp’s of exciting eye candy on the gain, where they modelled for ramps collectively heaved a top Delhi designers including sign of relief at the Lakme MUCH! Ashish Soni, JJ Valaya and India Fashion Week when Ravi Bajaj. In an industry Rohit Gudda Bal’s de- where male models often get signs came on. Not because22 propositioned, did they ever his was an all male collection, face the casting couch? “It ex- but because a few of the men ists,” says Ajay,the older of the displaying that collection two by 11 minutes. “It’s very brought back the joie de vivre much there, but you should sorely missing from the cat- know how to handle it.’’ walk in the intervening time “If asked, you always say that the Marc- Milind- Arjun, ‘no’,” Vijay adds. Dino-John quintet left it. Why did they shift to Mum- Among them — 24-year-old bai from Delhi, where they twins Ajay and Vijay Balhara were doing the pick of ramp who didn’t think much of saun- work, along with editorials for tering out on head ramp, and top fashion magazines, music curling their tongues at the au- videos and ads? dience, Robbie Williams style. “I want to act in films,” Ajay The signals sent lets on. “I already out — fresh, look- did a bit of theatre at-me-I’m here. Twins Ajay and Vijay Balhara in Delhi, and I’m And they left an open to offers impression, says are lighting up the staid male here.” Vijay mea- the industry. nwhile, wants to “They are catwalk scene with much needed become a fashion promising, pizzazz, reports Gauri Sinh designer,but he’s they’ve been reg- followed his ular rampwalk- bekar. “But acquiring to get in touch by a brother to Mum- ers in Delhi, but the kind of aura, say, mutual friend. Work bai to model now the Mum- an Arjun Rampal had for male models on the some more, and bai audiences when he walked out on ramp isn’t as much as commercial have noticed ramp will take time.” for the women, but the work is better them at the fashion week,” says The twins got into modelling two matter-of-factly state that in the city. “I’ve been advised top coordinator Vahbiz Vach- around four years ago when for the right male ‘look’ there is to model for another two years ha. “It’s interesting to watch fresh out of NCC, training to plenty of work. by people in the industry, and them because they’re twins,” get into the army, they were Bal was so impressed that he I’ve followed that,” he con- says ace lensman Atul Kas- given Bal’s number and asked took them on to model his col- cludes. Single but not ready to mingle! HAMIDA PARKAR lean and mean performance is being talked about. ‘‘I guess action roles suit me because I day Chopra seems to be taking his ca- am tough looking.’’Quite a change from the reer slow and easy and not rushing to scheming Sanju in Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai. Ujoin the rat race. ‘‘I guess I do have the ‘‘Sanju was a bittersweet character but still a luxury of waiting because of my family back- positive one,’’ he replies. ing. I mean, I am lucky enough to be able to do In the recent past, Uday has received posi- that. Its not just about being an actor or hav- tive feedback for his special appearance in ing a career; I should enjoy what I’m doing,’’ their home production Mujhse Dosti Karoge. he says candidly. ‘‘Actually, I didn’t expect much since it was a He may not have to worry about earning special appearance. But it was reassuring to his bread but he does have his insecurities, he be liked along with stars like Hrithik admits. ‘‘Since my films come at long in- Roshan, Kareena Kapoor and tervals, each of them is a make-or- Rani Mukher- jee. I watched the break one for me. But I’m prepared film in the theatre. And the for it. A little insecurity is good in or- audiences’ positive reaction der to excel.’’ to my ap- pearance in Saan- Does he feel he is perhaps wli si ek ladki felt nice. It re- judged too harshly be- i n f o r c e d my belief in my- cause of his family self,’’ he smiles. background, be- So work is the cause he gets so primary concern many chances? in his life. Is that ‘‘There are so many the reason why he’s other talented peo- still single? ‘‘Yes, that’s ple who don’t get a right. Actually, I’m not chance at all,’’ he mentally prepared at this point in says earnestly.‘‘And life to be in a relationship. Even if I I don’t mind being really fall in love with someone, I judged harshly. At would end up hurting the other person. It least, I’m being would not be fair to the girl or to me. So I judged! At least I am worth choose not to. But you never know what will something because of my happen tomorrow,’’ he confesses.