"I will act, but only on my terms"

A t a time, when every film on the marquee was laced with violence, and vulgarity was rampant, there came a very clean and romantic film called Maine Pyar Kiya.

The film, with its lilting songs and clean romance, not only proved the biggest grosser of the year, but also triggered a trend that saw a spate of feel-alike films hitting the marquee in rapid succession.

The film also gave Bollywood a new icon - Bhagyashree. Of course, fame had earlier beamed on her when she proved a hit in her first television serial, Kachchee Dhoop, produced by Amol Palekar.

Unlike other foundlings of fame, though, Bhagyashree turned her back on fame just when it was all ready to install her as its newest darling, and opted for marriage and the anonymity of a housewifely existence.

She was still flooded with offers, but accepted only those offers that had starring roles for her husband as well. Some producers did try to pair the two, but even Bhagyashree's box office appeal was not sufficient to outweigh hubby Himalay's immense non-appeal. And fame moved on to crown other favourites.

Learning her lesson, Bhagyashree has finally given up on her insistence that she will work only with her husband, and is now back with a film opposite none other than Vinod Khanna's son, Akshaye.

Souten Ki Souten, the film in question, is being made by the Saawan Kumar Tak, and stars, besides Bhagyashree, the likes of Mamta Kulkarni and Manisha Koirala.

The star on the verge of her comeback spoke to Sharmila Taliculam of Rediff On The NeT . Excerpts:

Bhagyashree, you gave up on films. So why the comeback?

I never gave up on films. When I got pregnant, I took a break to have my child and take care of it. Now I am back, that is all.

Again, you had announced that you would act only opposite your husband - now you are paired with Akshaye Khanna?

No, I had not taken any decisions to work only opposite my husband. People just drew the wrong conclusions. The statement I had made and I still stick to, is that I would not do any intimate scenes with any other hero. If people read between the lines and thought that I would not do films with other heroes, it was fine with me. I didn't have to give any explanations to anyone.

You mean there are no intimate scenes in the film you are doing with Akshaye Khanna?

See, what I mean by intimate scenes is that I have set myself some limitations. There are some types of scenes I will do, some I will not. Obviously, since I have signed this film, it is because I am sure that the scenes I have to do in it fall within the parameters I have set for myself.

Tell me, What are these parameters you have set for yourself?

Apart from not doing intimate scenes, the most important factor at the moment is that I won't be exposing at all. Secondly, having two children to look after, I can't be doing one and a half or two shifts everyday. I can't go for long outdoor shoots. These are things which affect me personally, so I have these parameters.

Don't you feel that you are sacrificing your career by having such limitations?

I personally feel that the question of sacrifices arises only when you don't have your priorities right. I always had them right. My home is my first priority, my career is not. So I don't feel that I am sacrificing anything. I enjoy acting and I would like to keep on acting provided that my conditions are met.

Saawan Kumar Tak's films have not been doing well of late. Didn't that fact bother you when you decided to do his new film?

The script suited my requirements, fell within the parameters I have established for myself, so I accepted it. Also, Tak is known to make clean, family-oriented subjects and I don't think there is any vulgarity in any of his films.

What role will you be playing in the film?

Well, it's like this, the film is about extra-marital relations, I play Akshaye's wife. The shooting will begin next month.

How does it feel to be working with Akshaye Khanna?

I think it will be alright, as long as there no ego hassles. Then it would be stifling to work together. But if it's comfortable on the set, then it doesn't matter who you work with. I have no problems working with newcomers…

Will your husband continue to act in films with or without you?

There are a couple of scripts which we are considering. Let's see how it works out.

To get back to your decisions about intimate scenes, won't they affect your career?

I have never been overly ambitious. I am here because I enjoy acting and I shall enjoy it only if it suits me. I want to work only on my conditions. I don't have to prove anything to anyone.

You say you will act only in films that suit you, are such films easy to come by?

Yes. I am getting quite a few good films, but as I stated earlier I can't take up too much of work because of my children. I can't work thirty days a month. So I have to reject a few too.

How many films do you plan to do a year?

Not more than three or four films at a time, at the most. I don't think more than that is possible.

This film you are doing, 'Souten Ki Souten', doesn't that mean 'mistress of the mistress' or something like that? What is it all about?

Well, I obviously can't reveal the storyline. I can only tell you that the story is good, each character is justified.

Your first film was a superhit. Don't you sometimes feel that if you would have given more attention to your career you would have been right on top?

Maybe, but then I wouldn't have got married. I wouldn't have had children. So where would that life go? I am very much of the old school of thought, marriage and children are important for me and career comes second. And I don't believe in getting married and having children after thirty. You are too old to enjoy your children then.

Does Bollywood have a place for a married woman, with children, do you think?

See, I have a certain image, a positive one. People don't think of me as glamorous or modern, roles are written for me with that in mind. Sure, the recent trend is towards exposing and vulgarity, but that is okay, the roles I get are in keeping with my image, so I'm not worried about the rest.

Your sister Madhuvanti has signed a film, 'Do Aakhen Barah Haath'. What are your thoughts on this?

Frankly, it is difficult to last in this industry on your own terms and conditions, very few people do it. So far, I have never faced the sort of problems that are supposed to be common in the industry, but I do hear about it. And I am naturally very protective about my younger sister. I wouldn't want her to go through anything like that. Having said that, I also think career decisions are best made by yourself, because whatever you decide should be something you are happy doing. So she is doing what she wants, and I will support and help her all the way.

Has she asked you for help?

No. The three of us have been brought up to be very independent, and we know that we are there for each other whenever the need arises. I don't think she needed any kind of help or advice. We just guided her as to the ways of the industry, the basics.

She apparently has no problems about exposing, what are your thoughts on that?

I would say that in this world, it is each to his own. Today, everybody is so individualistic and they know what they want to do. So whatever decisions she takes, the rest of us can only tell her what we think, the final decision is hers alone. It is her life, and she should lead it the way she wants to.

If your daughter wants to become an actress…?

As I said earlier, you can't stop anybody from doing anything they want to. As a mother and an actress, I would just advise and guide her. Though I would prefer it if she gets into a profession like medicine or something like that.

You started your career with television. Do you plan to act in more serials?

At the moment I am anchoring a show called 'Yaadon Ke Rang'. I will be doing a serial with NMZ, that's Mukul Anand, Nitin Manmohan and Zee together. It's called 'Bhavna', and it is based on the life of an actress and the shooting will start shortly.

Do you prepare a lot for your various roles?

No, I don't prepare at all because I feel if one has seen a lot in life, one gets to understand the different emotions that one is expected to portray. It is not very difficult. I think the most difficult role one could play is that of a mad person, and I cannot forget the way Rakhee played it in 'Basera' and Sanjeev Kumar in 'Khilona'.

Finally, what plans do you have for your future? Apart, of course, from acting and managing the home, hubby and kids?

I want to start something for the orphaned and the handicapped children. I am not yet sure how I am going to do it, but I will, someday. I just don't want to do superficial work like giving donations and such, but be actively involved in their day to day life. Perhaps make it a duty for myself, you know. Also, I would like to go and spend some time with the aged, maybe twice a week, so that they feel wanted. I will take out some time in the future and do this, definitely.

Bhagyashree's photographs : Jewella Miranda
Bhagyashree and Himalay: Pradeep Bandekar.