"Tauba Tauba is a planned career move" - Payal Rohatgi 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, October 12, 2004 - 02:43 IST
She was a face in a slew of multi-starrer until Tauba Tauba. With the titillating flick in theatres, hot bod Payal Rohatgi has earned herself a solo hit. The hottie wears her burning sensuality with a casual air and makes no bones of being a part of the sizzle mela.
In denim shorts and a sunny tanktop, Payal steps up the heat at IndiaFM. The seductress chats us about her upcoming sizzlefare and tells us why she is happy riding the sex-n-skin wave.
Tauba Tauba, Men Not Allowed and Laila. After a non-starter, you have piled a string of releases.
There is a severe competition between star kids and rank rookies like me. Hence, I took a wait so that I get roles that have something for me as an actress. Tauba Tauba is a solo-starrer and so is Laila. Hence it feels wonderful that filmmakers are offering me meaty roles that compliment my glamorous image.
After working with big banners like White Feather Films, why have you back stepped into smaller production houses?
Yes. I have been part of multi-starrers like Rakht. But you need to take risks. The fact is that hot films are currently finding favor with the masses. As a newbie, I have to go with the trend and cater to the masses. Hence, films like Tauba Tauba and Laila are a planned career move. But I assure you that once I find market acceptability; I will play to the gallery.
Ek Choti Si Love Story had a similar plot. What do you think makes Tauba Tauba different?
For starters, the title itself. Tauba Tauba is a fun title. Another differentiator is that unlike Manisha in Ek Choti Si Love Story, I enjoy and respond to the boy's attention.
In Tauba Tauba, a young boy is attracted to a teacher. Have you had a similar crush on your teacher or professor? Did you pursue it?
[Giggles] No. My school had strict lady teachers. So there was no chance of pursuing a love interest in any male professors. A simple and quiet child in school, my teachers will have a huge shock when they watch me on screen!
Does Tauba Tauba have tremendous shock-value?
Yes. The promos display shock-value. And going by the initial that the film has fetched, I am glad that the promos were cut with a sensational value attached to it.
How were your co-stars Amin Gazi and Mona Lisa to work with?
Amin is an extremely talented boy. He has worked in Lagaan and Hungama prior to this. The other lady Mona, well she plays the dark character. But I didn't have too many scenes with her.
Any awkward moment while filming?
Hmm...There is this one sequence where I had to give a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to Amin. And that was a bit embarrassing. The scene is one where I am in the pool, taking a swim and the boy walks by. I ask him to join me. And Amin to impress me, without knowing to swim jumps into the pool and almost chokes himself to death.
I then have to save him with a mouth-to-mouth. During the shooting, I was throwing orders at him, “You look that way, the camera comes in through here, I am going to hold you like this...' I got to bully him all the way. And all that the poor guy did was nod his head and say 'Yes Payal...'
'Men Not Allowed' deals with lesbianism. Do you personally advocate homosexuality?
No. I don't endorse homosexuality. I guess my upbringing and environment has something to do with it.
Earlier this year, Girlfriend rode the same topic. Did you watch it?
Would have loved to, but haven't done as yet.
In Men Not Allowed, you co-star with Monica Castelino. How was it to work with her?
She's a newcomer. And a debutant always comes without the star baggage and image blocks. Hence the will to experiment is always there. So it was a pleasure to work with her.
How did you handle the intimate scenes with Monica? Did it feel weird?
I have told myself that once I am an actor, I will be expected to do many a things that may be kind of weird. And I have programmed myself to that. Hence, when my director calls out action, I wear the cap of a professional and go out there and act!
Do you think homosexuality has been portrayed realistically on Indian screen?
See, filmmakers make movies for masses. Now the masses aren't too familiar with a concept like homosexuality. Hence when a director communicates a subject like homosexuality, it tends to get slightly exaggerated.
You are also seen striking a seductive pose in your forthcoming film Laila. Is it yet another erotic thriller?
Ah, I am very much looking forward to Laila. I play a con-woman in the film. Once again, the film is centered around me and you will see me in different get-ups. It is an episodic film. Was great fun shooting too!
Have you had a brush with the casting couch?
[Laughs] Couch…what couch?
Would you like to go for an image change and work in a feel-good film?
Sure. I am open to all kinds of roles. The only criterion is that it should interest me.
If we are so allergic to sex and skin, why do these films run to packed houses?
Simply because audiences are watching the films. There is a little hypocrisy involved as, on one end we pull down the films and on the other hand the tickets are selling like hot cakes. But the plain fact is that we live in 2004 and people seem to enjoy skin-show. And at the end of the day, everyone wants to be a part of a hit film.
Can I interest you in a rapid-fire?
Sure…let's go
One actor you did like to see do an item number?
Sanjay Dutt
Are you moody?
Very!
One actress you think is as hot as hell?
Sushmita Sen
The real Payal is…
…Just like you.
What cheeses you off completely?
Dishonesty
One erotic thriller that you liked watching
[Laughs] Tauba Tauba
Husband swapping
Nah…not my kind
Are you mama's girl?
Not really
Has anybody made a pass at you?
Yes
Life for a newcomer minus film connections
Tough!
Your sex appeal…
My…my eyes! What did you think?
A naughty thing you read or heard?
That Tauba Tauba is going houseful
Your take on male nudity
Since I am straight, it's a turn-on
Your message to censors who go chop-chop-chop
You don't make stars, audiences do.
Is exposure a ticket to success?
No
Your style statement
Be comfortable
Life is lived by design or destiny?
Design, complimented by destiny
Payal 10 years down the line…
A huge star and blissfully married
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