Patcy N in Mumbai
The women of Ram Gopal Varma's Department are quite the sexy lot.
We've seen the gorgeous Nathalia Kaur in the item number.
Now, we take a look at the film's leading lady Madhu Shalini.
This is Madhu's first Hindi film, and she seems super excited about it.
Madhu speaks to Patcy N about her challenging gangster role in the film, starring Bollywood heavyweights like Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt.
How did Ram Gopal Varma approach you for Department?
Ram Gopal saw my pictures on the internet and also scenes from my Tamil film Avan Ivan in which I played a simple girl-next-door.
The internet photographs were completely different from my role in Avan Ivan. He liked the contrast -- that I could look like the girl-next-door and also have the rough look that he wanted for his film.
'I am a huge fan of RGV'
How did you react to the offer?
I am a huge fan of RGV. I have seen all his Telugu and Hindi films repeatedly. I would keep telling my friends that one day I will work with Ram Gopal Varma and they would laugh at me.
When I was first approached, I did not believe it. I thought somebody was playing a prank. When I went for the audition, I couldn't believe that this thing was really happening: I am doing my first Hindi film with my favourite director and a star cast with Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt!
Tell us about your role in the film.
I play a gangster. It is a very rough, very menacing and challenging role.
'I would sit in front of a mirror and practice my lines in different ways'
How did you prepare for the role?
When I was initially given the brief, I looked for references regarding body language but I did not find anything.
There was nothing in Indian cinema from where I could pick up anything, so it was a big challenge for me to do this first-of- its- kind role.
I had to create the character, the body language and the attitude. I would sit in front of a mirror and practice my lines in different ways. I practised thoroughly for one-and-a-half months
Finally, on the first day of shooting, after I gave my shot, sir (Ram Gopal Varma) comes up to me and says, 'I want this in the same tone throughout.'
Do you have any scenes with Amitabh Bachchan?
I have no scene with Amitabh Bachchan in the film and haven't met him yet.
My scenes are mostly with Sanjay Dutt and I have fight scenes with Rana.
'Sanjay Dutt help me out with my scenes'
How was it working with Sanjay Dutt?
I have seen Sanjay Dutt's Vastaav and Khalnayak so I had a certain image of him, but when I met him, I found him to be extremely sweet.
He doesn't behave like a star or throw starry tantrums. He is exactly the opposite of the characters he played in Khalnayak and Vaastav.
Did Sanjay Dutt help you out?
Yes, he did help me out with my scenes. In one scene we were shooting near Haji Ali, I kept getting stuck at one word. It was a mental block, and I just couldn't say that one word properly.
After seven takes, I was extremely nervous. Sanjay Dutt just laughed and said 'it is okay, take you time, chill'. Most actors I know would be very annoyed if their co-actors don't perform well.
'I am very fluent in Hindi'
Can you speak Hindi?
I am very fluent in Hindi; in fact, I have dubbed for this movie.
Have you worked with Rana Dagubatti before?
Rana is a good friend but we haven't worked together in a South Indian film.
It is strange that Rana, Laxmi Manchu (who also stars in the film) and I are from the Telugu industry but we haven't worked in any Telugu film together. Our first film together is a Bollywood film.
'Rana told me not to do any risky stunts'
Was it easier with so many Telugu-speaking people on the sets?
Language has never been an issue with me. We had lots of fun. It was a hectic shoot, with a hectic schedule, but it was chilled out.
It was also exciting because the camera techniques were new to us. Normally, we shoot with one camera but here we shot with multiple cameras. We were also shooting on MP5, which was quite challenging.
I am glad that the Hindi industry is welcoming us.
How was it working with Rana?
Rana is a great actor. I have a fight sequence with Rana, can you beat that?
During the shoot Rana kept saying, 'I hope you don't get hurt.' He told me not to do any risky stunts. I did most of the stunts myself.
'I don't think it is right to say he has lost the Midas touch'
And working with Ram Gopal Varma?
RGV is my favourite director. It was a pleasure working with him. All big directors can have flops. Sometimes ridiculous films become hits and sensible films flop.
Last few films of RGV has not worked, do you think he has lost the Midas touch?
I don't think it is right to say he has lost the Midas touch. He is not on the same wave length as the audience sometimes.
I think he is an intelligent filmmaker who does everything with great intensity. He is calm and brilliant.
Which is your next Hindi film?
My next film is also with RGV. Its working title is Bhoot 2. It is a horror film. It is not a continuation of Bhoot, but a completely different story.
'I have done my work and my work will speak for me'
If you get more Hindi films will you shift base to Mumbai?
I will shift if I get more offers.
It is said that many heroines are upset with Ram Gopal for promoting only Nathalia Kaur.
I don't think so. RGV is just promoting Nathalia. I don't think any one of us is upset. I have done my work and my work will speak for me.
'My parents were very supportive'
Tell us about yourself. How did films and modelling happen to you?
I was in the tenth standard when my aunt sent my photographs for a local beauty pageant. I got a call from them saying that I was selected. I didn't even know who had sent the pictures! I won that contest and that's how I started doing lots of modelling.
My getting into movies was not planned. I did lots of commercials in print and that's how filmmakers got curious and wanted to know who the new face was and that's how I got film offers.
Your parents are professionals, your mother an advocate and your father a businessman. Did they approve of your giving up your education for films?
I am a trained dancer so they thought that I would become a classical dancer. They knew I would never become a doctor or engineer. They knew I would pursue art as my career -- dance or fashion designing -- but not films.
Initially, they were worried because of what they had heard about the industry. But once I started modelling and acting, they realised that it is not at all bad. It is all about how you take it further, so they were very supportive.
'I am very picky and choosy about the work I take'
You haven't done many films in the last six years. Why?
I started my career in 2006. I am very choosy about the work I take. In this industry you can become so desperate that you sign every offer that comes your way.
I wanted to take it slow and steady as I started very young. I had age on my side and didn't have to worry that I was growing old. I wanted to wait for better opportunities.
But I did make some mistakes. I chose two wrong films. I thought they would work for me, but they didn't. It's all part of the job.
Once I started doing a lot of Telugu movies, Tamil directors started noticing me and that's how I got my first Tamil film. It didn't do well but a film with Bala called Avan Ivan changed my career completely.
Any more offers in Bollywood?
I have got two more Hindi film offers. I am considering one and it is not from RGV.
What next in the south?
I am working on the Telugu horror film Poga.
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