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"When most of our clan is out there doing their routine drill of 4 songs and 2 emotional scenes, I really feel good to have The Train" - Geeta Basra 
By Joginder Tuteja, April 23, 2007 - 07:56 IST
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I have played challenging roles and that too when the subjects belong to diverse genres.
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Geeta 'filmy' Basra is back in news. While her fascination for anything which is Bollywood continues to retain its spirit, she moves on to play an interesting lead in her forthcoming film The Train. In an exclusive conversation with Joginder Tuteja, she bares all about what went wrong with her debut release [Dil Diya Hai], her 'real' role in The Train and the so-called controversy that erupted a few months back and only vanished faster.
It seems like quite a gap between your debut and second film.
Arrey kahan, there is just 9 months gap between Dil Diya Hai and The Train. Considering that I started shooting for the film soon after the release of Dil Diya Hai means that I have been busy throughout. I am happy that in both the films I have played challenging roles and that too when the subjects belong to diverse genres.
But not many thought so when Dil Diya Hai released.
Don't remind of that [laughs]! The film was hardly publicized for the audience to even realize that the film had released, let alone pass their judgment about the film or characterization being good or bad. There was hardly any awareness created about the film and it was sad to see it not picking up at all in spite of a good storyline and drama.
What really went wrong there?
See, first and foremost there wasn't much publicity. To add to the woes, whatever little of me was shown in the song and dance promos, people presumed it to be a glam-girl role. On the other hand, the fact was just the opposite since I played a simple middle-class girl who was attired in casual T-shirts and jeans throughout. Those who had a preconceived notion about me and my character were obviously disappointed.
Never mind; seems they won't really be this time around considering your glam-woman look in The Train!
[Laughs] I am keeping my fingers crossed on this one! True, I play a glamorous professional woman in the film and my character here requires me to look a certain way. I am someone who is very much an urban woman of today, business focused though not to be mistaken with being cunning. Having said enough care has been taken to ensure that nothing goes over the top here. It is a real film which requires its characters to look real. You look fake one moment, you spoil the scene, you know!
Considering the fact that The Train is as commercial as it gets, where is the opportunity to go real?
See, even if you are enacting a dramatic scene, it should look convincing well within the parameters of a commercial setup. Let me not reveal much about the film but one of the crucial scenes here requires me to be brutalized and tortured. You may have seen something like that in many films before but I can hardly count on fingers when something like that looks convincing. I mean sometimes things like those look so fake and this is the reason I took extra care to make sure that the pain of brutality and torture reflects on my face and body language not just during the incident but even after that!
I took extra care to make sure that the pain of brutality and torture reflects on my face and body language
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You must be blessed to be a part of two back to back films where a woman has an important part to play.
[Says excitedly] I truly am. In the times when most of our clan is out there doing their routine drill of 4 songs and 2 emotional scenes, I really feel good to have The Train following Dil Diya Hai. I am sure things would only continue to be better.
Something that happened with your idol Madhuri Dixit!
[Giggles] There you go again. Yes, I can't cease to be her fan ever, you know. If I achieve a part of what she has over the years, I would perhaps be the happiest actors around. Now with her making a comeback, it is an honor to be a part of this industry!
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I can't cease to be Madhuri's fan ever
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So does Geeta Basra still live up to her middle name 'filmy'?
Ha ha, yes of course! Though I am dying to catch up with so many films that have released recently. I have been keeping busy while traveling to so many places and missing out on the very reason that got me into the industry - movies! I hear Namastey London is a fun watch. I would love to catch up on it first thing. How is Katrina? I hear she has done a good job in the film.
She indeed is good. But you tell me about Sayali Bhagat. How is she in The Train?
I don't really have any scenes with her in the film except for a song where the two of us are present. Nonetheless, of what I have seen in the rushes and heard from the team, she has done quite well.
Nice. Now on to some thorny topics. What was all that MMS controversy which made news around 2-3 months back?
Which controversy?
The one where news bytes came in about you being upset about the director floating around a MMS clip from the film to boost its publicity.
[Says with a wink] I am not sure what you are talking about. Was there any such thing?
Ha, you are smart. I get the point; no more controversies for Geeta!
No, enlighten me. I am curious to know.
Ok, so no more thorny topics. Let's get on to something rosy here. You must be certainly banking on The Train to work well.
I am not just banking on the film; I am sure the film would do very well. Come on yaar, this is a hit team that we have here. The music is fabulous. Emraan Hashmi and chartbuster music go hand in hand while Mithoon had not set a foot wrong ever since he debuted. Moreover, the subject is good while the narrative is shocking. With the kind of content that the film has along with its timing, I am sure audience will stand up and take notice. Watch out for it!
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'Main Madhur Dixit Banana Chahti Hoon' – Geeta Basra
