“I feel awkward when one turns around and calls me sexy”- Neha Dhupia 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, January 7, 2005 - 01:22 IST
Though all her conventional roles did not click, she tasted success with the rarely justified role of a prostitute in Julie. Neha Dhupia gave the role a different meaning altogether and created waves at the box office. Neha Dhupia is back with her next venture Sheesha - some mirrors lie. Jostling through all night shoots and sundry she talks to us in this exclusive.
What is Sheesha like?
Sheesha is a thriller; according to the title we also say that some mirrors lie. Just when you thought that everything is going fine and everything in life is perfect that's when things start reversing on you. This thriller is based on the similar chain of thought.
What is 'Sia' your character in the film like?
Sia is a fashion designer; she is very progressive and forward thinking female. At the same time she is very romantic. She is actually confined to her small little world but at the same time she is an able minded girl and there are moments in her life that end her up as a very weak person or a very emotional person.
So what do the mirrors lie about in the film?
The mirrors lie about the reality in the film. Whatever you think is perfect and what it seems to be; is actually not.
Sonu and you project amazing and convincing chemistry onscreen - how was it working with him?
It was very easy to work with Sonu, as he is somebody who is new, he is somebody who is very willing to experiment and listen and that is something really important to have a co-star who is willing to listen and who is open to ideas. And that's why I think the chemistry between Sonu and me worked. Because we both are new in our own rights and we both are willing to experiment. Also our director Ashu was somebody who taught us and we like good students kept on learning (smiles)
How comfortable are you doing the intimate scenes the film requires?
Actually I am very comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. Comfortable because I don't take the extra baggage of what this or that person is going to think of me. And uncomfortable because that is something not me, its somebody I am trying to project, its somebody I portray an image of, but the whole sex symbol image that I have got is something that I am not. When someone turns around and calls me hot or sexy I feel a little awkward. But its ok, we had a very comfortable unit. I mean you never felt wrong doing something in front of anybody. Firstly the script demanded it and I am not saying that just to cover up but honestly it is a very progressive looking script.
There is a sudden 'Sherawat-splurge' with sexpots throwing sensational quotes all over, does being articulate come to you naturally or it is more of an occupational hazard?
It is not an occupational hazard being articulate; there is a very thin defining line between being articulate and being garish in your comments. The difference is that to be garish all you need is guts but to be articulate you need brains and a thought process, which projects you as a person who is aware of what's happening all around. I consider myself articulate.
How does it feel to wear the crown of a sex kitten?
Its quite a burden actually because I don't wake up in the morning and say that 'Oh! I am a sex kitten or a sex symbol and I am going to dress like this and how can it be that I cant reveal skin'… I feel it is a bit of a burden because it is easy to look normal but very difficult to look sexy.
Your brand of sexuality…
I don't have a brand; I don't think it's a product that I would like to sell in the market. Sensuality is something that a lot of people believe comes naturally to me.
How tricky is it for an upcoming actress to wear the sex siren tag?
Its not tricky actually. It's a responsibility to live up to and it is a bubble that can burst on you any minute, so you have to make sure that each time you look, behave and portray yourself as somebody who is good enough to fit into that tag. But according to me I think I am not trying to fit into the whole tag of being sexy. There is one slot, which is very very vacant in our film industry as far as girls are concerned, you have girl next door, you have the sex kitten, you have the damsel in distress and you have a cute play girlish image, but the slot, which I am trying to fit in, is that of a good actress.
What was your reaction on the news that Commercial Sex Workers idolize you after Julie?
I was not aware of the news but if that is the case I am glad that I touched an emotion somewhere and it was an honest effort and its quite flattering.
Even before the release of Sheesha, the whole unit has got together for Siskiyaan. Tell us something about it?
Siskiyaan is the film I am once again doing with Rama Entertainment; my lovely producers have taken the pain of signing me again. Siskiyaan is a film that will be quite a benchmark for me. Director Ashwini Chaudhary is one of the finest directors I have ever worked with or will have an opportunity to work with. His sensibilities of cinema are something that audiences of today are looking for; it is a kind of film I as an artist and audience would look forward to. The film is completely different from the kinds we are seeing right now. It's refreshing, it has a subject that has not been touched upon before and it has an element of reality to a very great extent. It is a phenomena that has occurred many a times in our country and I would understand if a lot of people would relate to something like that it is not unreal.
How cool is Kya Kool Hain Hum?
Kya Kool Hain Hum is an out and out comedy. My only request to the audience is that when they come to see the film, they need to leave their brains at home because it is a mad film. If you are depressed then you must come and see the film. It will make you laugh for 2 ˝ hours flat that is my promise to you. And if you are happy that will make you even more happy.
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Neha does an item in Pakistan
