“When Love Games was offered, I didn’t quite know what swingers are” – Patralekha

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

April 7, 2016 - 4:39 AM IST

It has been a couple of years since Citylights hit the screens. The film saw some good critical acclaim coming its way and also introduced Patralekha to Bollywood. In

“When Love Games was offered, I didn’t quite know what swingers are” – Patralekha

the role of a village migrant who turns into a dance bar girl in Mumbai, Patralekha delivered a confident act. Now she is going through a complete change from the characterization perspective in

Love Games. In Vikram Bhatt's drama based on swingers and fu&k buddies, she is enacting the part of Ramona Raichand - a sex addict. While she has let go off any inhibitions whatsoever in

this adults-only affair, one expects a lot more to be offered in the film.

Citylights was way back in 2014. Guess you return to the big screen was long awaited.

(Smiles) It was a long wait for me as well but guess that's the way it was meant to me. Though there was a lot of love and support that I got from everyone after Citylights, it didn't quite

pave out the way in a manner I would have imagined. Yes, there were offers but not the kind that I wanted to take up. This is when I went to Bhatt saab and said that 'I don't have work, so please

help me out'. He told me that Vikram (Bhatt) sir was making a film and I should meet him. He said that since this was going to be a little different film, he needed a couple of glamorous pictures

of mine.

And then?

Well, I did that and Mukesh (Bhatt) sir called me soon after to share the good news that I was on board. Yes, agreed that Vishesh Films is my family and I knew that I would work with them in

future. However, for all of this to sort out in such jiffy was great. I am really thankful to Vikram sir that he could see me in such a different light. I consider myself lucky.

How did you react though on the film's subject of swingers and fu&k buddies?

When I was narrated the script, I was taken aback. I didn't quite know what swingers are, though I had some idea. The character that I am playing is so strong and independent. She has a mind of her

own and I am glad to be playing such a part so early in my career. Ramona Raichand is a high society woman who is fierce, unabashed and unapologetic. As an actor, I thought that this was a great

opportunity. In Citylights I was a rural girl and now here it is something totally contrasting. I took this role head on.

Could you instantly relate to the part, considering the fact that couple swapping is a reality in today's times?

I hadn't come across such people in real life. Even if there were some stories that I had heard around me, I hadn't given it all much of mind or thought. Then Vikram sir told me about this 'Swinger

Society' page on Facebook. He told me that such things happen not just in just big cities and high society but also in smaller towns. I came back home and started doing my research, only to explore

another face of India.

Were you always open to stepping into a film of this genre or was it incidental that you made a start with Citylights and then moved on to Love Games?

Honestly, it was just incidental. I am an actor and a performer - nothing more, nothing less. At 24, no one would imagine playing mother to a 5 year old, but then I did that in Citylights. I

am here to work and would do whatever good comes my way, and deliver as per best of my abilities

So beyond the bold content, how does drama and thrills come together in Love Games?

By its very virtue, Love Games is an urban thriller. From the outside it is grabbing eyeballs due to explicit content and bold scenes. However, the film has a terrific story as its asset and

comes with a lot of twists and turns. We are talking about certain issues in an entertaining manner. On watching the film, you would realize it is much beyond the bold content.

Isn't there a risk though that after Love Games, you may be trapped in a particular bold image?

See, bold or non-bold, village or non-village girl, it is the character which is the most important. Every chapter ends for a new beginning to start. My current one is now ending for me and I am

looking forward to the next now.