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Soha: I am a shy person and I don't wear revealing clothes

Soha Ali Khan does not have many hit films to her credit but that doesn’t affect her. In fact, her last hit was Rang De Basanti, way back in 2006.

Of course, she’s been seen in critically-acclaimed films like Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns.

Now, Soha wears a bold look for her new film, Mr Joe B Carvahlo.

In this conversation with Sonil Dedhia, Soha tells us why flops don’t affect her, why she wears a bikini in the film, and the difficulties of dating an actor.

An actress wearing a bikini has always existed in the industry, but whenever it happens, it creates media hype.

The only time an actress should wear a bikini is when she is near a swimming pool or a beach.

There should be some connection with the water and then it looks natural.

In Mr Joe B Carvahlo, my character wearing a bikini is justified.

This is the first time I am wearing a bikini. I am a shy person and I don’t wear revealing clothes.

I like wearing swimwear and I like swimming. So I was very comfortable wearing a bikini in the film.

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'I never saw Arshad yelling or screaming at anyone on the sets'

How was working with Arshad Warsi?

It was real fun. I had seen his work and I knew he was a good actor.

He has a great sense of humour and doesn’t take himself too seriously.

I never saw him yelling or screaming at anyone on the sets. He kept the environment cheerful and contributed in his on way to the film.

'Kunaal gets jealous when I romance another actor'

Your boyfriend Kunaal Khemu is doing a cameo in the film. Was it planned?

It was Arshad’s idea. He knows Kunaal; they worked together in Golmaal 3.

Kunaal comes in towards the end of the film where everyone from the cast is present.

Arshad thought it would be fun to have people who are not part of the film.

It’s just a blink-and-you-miss-it role, but I hope he gets noticed (smiles).

Preity Zinta has said that two actors cannot be in a relationship because there can only be one narcissist in a relationship. Do you agree?

(Laughs). I disagree.

It’s not easy at all. But today relationships in general are not easy.

Everyone in today’s generation is a narcissist. An actor just has the license to do that and be temperamental and slam doors and break vases.

We do that a lot, but I think there needs to be a balance. When I am being the diva then Kunaal can’t behave like a king.

What are the difficulties of dating an actor?

Managing mood swings, managing each other’s schedules.

It would be ideal if both of us could work at the same time and holiday at the same time, but it never happens.

There are times when I am in a good mood but he is not in a good mood because his film hasn’t done well or for some other reason, and vice versa.

And of course watching someone you like romancing another person on screen is never fun.

So you get jealous when Kunaal romances other actresses?

Kunaal gets jealous when I romance another actor.

I do get jealous but I don’t show it (laughs).

'I doubt audience response to certain films, which aren't really good but become blockbusters'

Did you analyse what went wrong with your last release War Chhod Na Yaar?

No, I don’t look back and analyse things. There is no point since we are not going to make the same film again.

I make myself feel better my thinking that I have work in hand and there is another release lined up, and I move on.

I feel bad for Faraz Haider (the director). It was his debut film. He is a brilliant director and I hope he gets a second chance.

The concept of War Chhod Na Yaar was unique but it was a little amateurishly depicted.

Do you doubt yourself when a film doesn’t work?

A film not working is heartbreaking.

I sometimes doubt the kind of films that are being made in our country. I also doubt the kind of audience response to certain films, which aren’t really good but become blockbusters.

People want to see entertaining stuff and that is exactly the kind of film that is getting made.

'There are some films that I shouldn't have done, like Shaadi No 1'

Why were you not able to capitalise on the success of Rang De Basanti (RDB)?

I don’t think my performance in Rang De Basanti was amazing.

It was a special film and it was an amazing film in itself.

It touched many people’s hearts.

I have done more films after RDB where I have given a better performance and have played some really good characters.

But there hasn’t been a film as special as RDB.

Apart from Rang De Basanti, you have not acted in mass entertainers. You have stuck to smaller films.

I don’t have a great strategy when it comes to films. I choose from what is offered to me.

I agree that I have chosen some wrong films, but I feel my choices are becoming better.

For me, the budget of the film or the location is secondary. I just look at my character. If I feel I can do justice to it, I agree to do the film.

In hindsight, I feel there are some films that I shouldn’t have done, like Shaadi No 1. Everything is an experience and you learn from it.

'I don't want to do films for money but I don't mind cutting ribbons for money'

Abhishek Bachchan said recently that an actor is as good as his last Friday release. Has it been the case that your film has flopped and you have been short of work?

There is a lot more pressure on heroes than heroines.

Our films are hero-centric and a hero commands the box office opening.

The budget of the film is also determined by the hero.

For an actress, visibility is more important than commercial success because the blame for the film not doing well goes more to the hero than the heroine.

You say visibility is more important than commercial success, is that why you walk the ramp so often or is it the money?

Completely the money aspect.

I am an independent working woman. I am not obsessive about money but I have a particular standard of living, which I want to maintain. I don’t want to depend on anyone to do that.

I find this way of earning money is painless, where someone pays you to just dress up and walk the ramp or endorse a product which you believe in, or just cut a ribbon and earn some good bucks (smiles).

But if I don’t work in films, no one will call me to walk the ramp.

I don’t want to do films for money but I don’t mind cutting ribbons for money.