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PIX: The Hottie Who Thinks She's A Nerd

Nandana Sen will return to the marquee this week with Ashwin Kumar's The Forest.

The gorgeous actress, who will turn 45 this August (according to wikipedia), chatted with Rediff readers, along with her co-star Ankur Vikal, and discussed their chemistry in the film.

Here's the unedited transcript for those who missed it.

Mark asked, Hi nandana, you look absolutely stunning in all your movies.
Nandana Sen answers, Thanks! How are we all doing today?> :))

jay asked, hello were u comfortable with those hot scenes in the movie
Nandana Sen answers, it was totally comfortable cos ankur and i got to really love each other in the best possible sense!

Lalkesh asked, How r u doing Jodi No. 1
Nandana Sen answers, jodi number one going great and VERY excited to be with you guys! do you PROMISE to come see jodi number one make out in The Forest? :)

divya_nair asked, Nandana any plans to enter a reality show?
Nandana Sen answers, no. i keep being asked but the reality of life is quite entertaining enough for me, thanks! i don't need to be on a show to get real, you know? :)

som asked, Hey nandana, is raja sen (rediff) your relative?
Nandana Sen answers, no but he is one of my best friends!

ram asked, you look beautiful when you are looking raw, and untamed
Nandana Sen answers, gotta be raw and untamed if you're playing a man-eater, right? :)

Debojyoti asked, Congrats Nandana for all ur success!Coming from a highly educated family how do you cope up with film industry??what is the difference between two?
Nandana Sen answers, though i love my work as an actor, both in films and in plays, i've always been a nerd rather than a 'hottie'. all my life i've bn reading books and writing poems. so i often feel i don't fit into the film industry here at all, though it has bn very good to me.

'I'd love to work with Mr Bachchan again'

fan2u asked, @ Ankur what are your forthcoming movies?
Ankur Vikal answers, going off to namibia to work in the mines with Kolaveri Dhanush tonight..working as an auto rickshaw driver from banaras in june, producing an erotic film post for Gunda films, working on an american film after that....and so on and on.

ram asked, ankur what was the chemistry like working with nandana, how good is she in acting?
Ankur Vikal answers, Working with Nandana was an absolute delight! She is an extremely intelligent and a beautiful actor. One tends to get better and easier if one gets to work with someone as talented. 

rupanjan asked, HI, Nanadana I love your acting, I want to know about what you want to do after retirement.
Nandana Sen answers, Thanks so much Rupanjan. I think I'll always divide my time the way I do right now, between acting in films, writing, and the Child Rights work I do with the various nonprofit organizations I work with closely (RAHI, Operatin Smile, NCPCR, etc.) That work in fact is what's closest to my heart, in many ways

Muqadus asked, Your performance in BLACK was awe-inspiring. Are you doing any movie with BIG B?
Nandana Sen answers, Thanks so much! I'd absolutely love to work with mr. bachchan again, and so would Ankur! love, N and A

Suman asked, Hi Ankur- what kind of international projects are you working on? Are you doing any hollywood films?
Ankur Vikal answers, Hey Suman! Working on two American films later this year. Worked on one recently in NY called Blemished Light.

'I am a fool for love'

Kabeer asked, Dear Ankur, Are you associated with Theatre, like Nandana was sometime ago? It would be a pity when talent is wasted in unenthusiastic roles in non-descript films.
Ankur Vikal answers, Kabeer! I am a trained Architect who studied at the National School of Drama. Work with Naseeruddin Shah's Motley since 2000 on a regular basis. I rue the fact that we have no real notion of training or Riyaaz. We are a country obsessed with bleached dynastic mugs.

RIZWAN asked, WHICH ONE U PREFER , ARRANGE MARRIAGE OR LOVE MARRIAGE
Nandana Sen answers, Hey rizwan. i am a fool for love but if you were to arrange a marriage with ankur, i'd agree in a hearbeat! :))

Mohan asked, Hi Nandana, when will we finally see the release of Rang Rasiya? Also, will it be uncensored?
Nandana Sen answers, Rang Rasiya was passed by the censors, without any cuts, the first time around. It is a politically charged true love story on a topic i am very passionate about -- freedom of artistic expression. It was a courageous film for Ketan to make and I am glad is has got such acclaim and popularity in festivals, many prizes, and is FINALLY going to release this summer! 

'Rang Rasiya is finally releasing this summer'

sujoy asked, Good afternoon... Best wishes for the film `The Forest.' Why your film is releasing so late? But I think it may be good for the film as well, since over last two years Indian audience has become more mature and diverse.
Ankur Vikal answers,  you are absolutely right. there are films being made about things other than the usual love stories. This story is about a man eating leopard and about friends who get caught in the forest

jay asked, hello were u comfortable with those hot scenes in the movie?
Ankur Vikal answers, sure because we got to know each other so they were funny and a breeze. the angry scenes where we are upset with each other were more difficult.

Zero asked, How will your summarize The forest in one sentence. What exactly is the USP of the film , which you think will hook the audience?
Ankur Vikal answers, the forest is a tightly structured racy thriller with an ecological message about animal poaching. what i like about the film is that the animal rights message is contained rather than being in your face. i find this technique more powerful than films that push the message or issue on the audience and focus little on story or character.

'The Forest is a racy thriller'

gtyth asked, Are you aware that your movie is releasing in this IPL season. Do you think its a risk ??
Ankur Vikal answers, no! one is not competing with the IPl that is only from 7 to 11

Manoj asked, hi. ankur & Nandana.. wish u all the best for ur new coming movie..
Ankur Vikal answers, thank you so much. please see it

divya_nair asked, Ankur is this film similar to Junoon starring Rahul Roy?
Ankur Vikal answers, Rahul Roy turns into a werewolf if i am not mistaken. here no one turns into anything else. the leopard remains a leopard and we remain human beings. why the comparison

Suman asked, Ankur, you are such a brilliant actor. How come we don't get to see you playing lead roles in more films?
Ankur Vikal answers, I am playing a lead role in this movie as i do in every other film. and thank you for the compliment. hope i can live up to your expectations

'The film kind of chose us'

divya_nair asked, Ankur what have you learnt from Naseeruddin Shah. can you share it with us
Ankur Vikal answers, dear divya thank you for this question that i answer every time. i have learnt is riyaz and self awareness

Alas asked, Hi Ankur & Nandana, how are your expectations from the movie? Since, this is an off beat film, are you looking at awards or box office collections?
Ankur Vikal answers, it has already been to two festivals. ideally one is always looking at both since film making is the most expensive art form in the world

vicky asked, What made you both to choose this film?
Ankur Vikal answers, the film kind of chose us. ashwin watched me in missed call and that is why he gave me the script to read. i liked it

Suman asked, Ankur, how is this role different from your role in Slumdog Millionaire?
Ankur Vikal answers, In SM i play the villain and over here i get to play the reluctant hero

Tushar asked, Nandana your are a fabulous actress
Nandana Sen answers, Thanks so much, guys! Ankur and I had a lot of fun chatting with you, and cant' wait for you to see our movie. Remember it releases this Friday so PLEASE see it on the 11th! and tell us how you feel. Bye for now! twitter@AnkurVikal twitter@nandanadevsen