“I can’t be there just as an eye-candy or a showpiece” – Zareen Khan on choosing Hate Story 3

By Abbas Tyrewala -

December 2, 2015 - 10:02 AM IST

Just a couple of days remain for the release of Hate Story 3 and for Zareen Khan; it is going to be a big moment indeed. For someone who started off with a biggie

Veer, had a superhit to her name in Housefull 2, enjoyed a chartbuster item number with Salman Khan in 'Character Dheela' [Ready] and then scored well in Punjabi films

“I can’t be there just as an eye-candy or a showpiece” – Zareen Khan on choosing Hate Story 3

too opposite the local star Gippy Grewal [Jatt James Bond], it has been a matter of quality over quantity for her.

No wonder, even though she is returning to a Hindi film three years after Housefull 2 [2012], Zareen isn't carrying any regrets whatsoever.

"Not that there weren't any offers coming in the interim period. However, some of them were the kind where I had to be there just for the heck of it. Then a few wanted me to be there as an eye-

candy. I couldn't have chosen anything like that. After all, I am not a showpiece out there. If I had to do a film, it had to be important for me, and I had to be important for the film," says

Zareen, who has gone through a complete makeover for the erotic franchise.

What loomed large over her mind was to pick up one such film that wiped away the (unnecessary) criticism that came her away post her debut release Veer.

"There was so much criticism that came my way and I used to wonder what I had done," Zareen brings on a broad smile here, "I knew I was on the right track but then I had to be careful about what I

picked now. I didn't want to go through the grill all over again. Even with the five films that I have done, I wanted to be remembered. So yes, I have been choosy and that has been a conscious

call."

Stepping into a franchise affair like Hate Story 3 meant that she wanted to be involved in everything that eventually came on screen.

"There is certain perception that this genre carries but the fact remains that as an actor, there was a lot of preparation that was required for the part," says Zareen, "Other than being the body

beautiful, it was also about getting the many layers of the characterization right. We had quite a few sittings together. We did many narrations. And yes, as for the look and physique, I had to

look my best and be in a perfect shape. That is a pretty delicate zone and I couldn't err there."

Meanwhile, she also had Daisy Shah for company who too was in the process of shedding her inhibitions in the post Jai Ho days and stepping up the glam quotient.

"Well, I am happy that I shared this film with Daisy. I had met her a couple of times before we started shooting together for the film, though I hadn't interacted with her much before that on a one

to one basis. Hate Story 3 gave us both an opportunity to know each other better," says Zareen in a measured tone.

As for the outcome on the big screen, there isn't much time remaining as the results would be out in a matter of few hours. Guess Zareen and her partner-in-crime Daisy would indeed have a lot more

to bring on display that being an eye-candy.