“I don’t have any insecurity” – Asin

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

June 8, 2011 - 11:50 AM IST

For someone who started with a blockbuster (Ghajini) in Bollywood that earned over 100 crores, it is difficult to believe that the word 'comeback' is attached as she features in her third Hindi flick Ready. However, such has been an irony for Asin that despite a huge success to her name and the second film being an A-lister (London Dreams) opposite none other than Salman Khan, she had to hold on for a while before she struck again. There was no hurry on her part; after all she had spent a decade down South and knew that it was better to strike it hard in her third chance instead of making a false move here or there that could have resulted in a faux pas. Now that Ready has seen second biggest opening ever (after Dabangg), Asin is expectedly on cloud nine. Joginder Tuteja catches up with the lady.

“I don’t have any insecurity” – Asin

Asin, it seems you pretty much knew how important it was for you to get hold of a biggie that guaranteed a success. Is this the reason why you kept proposal makers at bay, took your time to sign on a new film and then announce before the world loud and clear that you were 'ready'?

Aah, you make it sound all so dramatic. Come on, I have been intentionally keeping it all low profile. In fact this is the way I have always been in my career, whether in Bollywood or South. I like to underplay things and let audience judge for themselves that why I was away for a while. I want them to gauge whether it was all worth it and now that they would see me on the big screen, is it really exciting or not. This is the reason why I stayed quiet for last year or so. Now that Ready has arrived, I am happy to be interacting all over again.

So now you can stand up and announce that 'I am ready for some good action guys, so watch out for me', right?

What I can say for sure is that Ready was always meant to entertain everyone and everyone who bought the ticket to watch it. It was always meant to be an out and out 'masala' commercial entertainer. It is being enjoyed by family audience and an entire range of people - whether it is the mama-mami, chacha-chahchi, dada-didi - who are comfortable while watching it. Ready works for all age groups right from the kids to youngsters to the family audiences. Also it is arriving after a no-show due to IPL that resulted in a severe dearth of major movies. No wonder we have taken the lead.

Well, seems like your decision did work after all. After Ghajini, this is clearly going to be another massive hit for you if initial collections are any indication. I guess now you can bring some limelight on yourself and - as the cliche goes - make hay while the sun shines? After all in the current season, this is the biggest film of the year.

(Says after a pause) I don't know whether it's the problem with me or a strength but then how much so ever I want to beat my drum, I can't do that. It is not just for a film of mine but also for my own promotion, I can't be talking so high and mighty about myself. And then if at all I have to talk, I would rather promote my film than speaking about my comeback and all. These things don't come naturally for me; that is just not me as a person as I am not someone who is capable of making any strong statements.

Having said that Asin, you must be aware about the fact that when it comes to Ready, it is your co-star Salman who has made a strong statement all over. Salman, Salman and more of Salman - That's the only name which is being heard despite the fact that Ready is a love story at the core it with you as the female protagonist.

No, I am not unhappy at all even though Salman is hogging all the limelight. Let's look at it this way, he is at an all time peak, he is the main protagonist in the film, Ready revolves around him, he shoulders the responsibility of the entire film and I get to enjoy all the benefits when it turns out to be a success. Isn't it fabulous? (giggles)

However even the film's promotion was quite concentrated on the Dabangg Khan. Didn't Asin ever feel that for a leading lady this could be catastrophic? Somewhere deep down her heart, didn't you ever feel that you were missing out on some share of action?

See such masala films are usually revolving around a hero and hence the promotion too was also mainly centred on him. I have been in the industry for long enough to understand such matters. A film has to be marketed for what it is and the way it has been made. I don't have any insecurity; I am sensible and understand the reasons behind you being on the forefront or asked to take a backseat. I can't be silly and immature by throwing tantrums in such matters.