"I am back in Bollywood and I want to do films that I like" – Shenaz Treasuryvala

Shenaz Treasuryvala is excited about her comeback. Then she tells me, “I am a gypsy. But I love acting and writing”. Ok, I get it honey! Treasuryvala had always kept her feet on the ground. For her it was never about money. It was about the passion for acting, writing, Read More">travelling and the joys ofRead More

Shenaz Treasuryvala is excited about her comeback. Then she tells me, "I am a gypsy. But I love acting and writing". Ok, I get it honey! Treasuryvala had always kept her feet on the ground. For her it was never about money. It was about the passion for acting, writing, travelling and the joys of being on her own. With her milky complexion, enviably natural beauty, she was and will remain TV's most elegant sensations. Period! Dark eyed and unafraid to pull funny faces, Treasuryvala is - amongst other things - already the talk of the town in New York households for playing the 'water bursting' Rama Patel in the American soap 'One Life to Live'. She continues, "I wish it was the return of Rama! Miss Rama. Someone needs to write me another bitch slapping, water bursting, serial kissing role". The wildly exuberant Shenaz reminds me of Jackie Kennedy - similar facial features and still so retro. More than her will to act and write, Treasuryvala has got a will to live. I say that because 99 people I meet out of 100 still lament about their dull and dreary life.

You’ve lived in New York for years now. It’s a different world out here when it comes to movies, isn’t it? As an actor, Read More">I don’t know how to look out for good roles. I hope Bollywood adopts the Hollywood way of having ‘agents’ and ‘agencies’. We need someone really intelligent and smart enough toRead More

You've lived in New York for years now. It's a different world out here when it comes to movies, isn't it?
As an actor, I don't know how to look out for good roles. I hope Bollywood adopts the Hollywood way of having 'agents' and 'agencies'. We need someone really intelligent and smart enough to look out for great scripts. Unfortunately, we don't have it here in our country. I am handling my work myself for so many years. There are only two big agencies out here and it becomes difficult to handle each client. Back in the U.S, I have my agent who knows me so well. Agencies need to take personal care of their clients and their needs. Here it's like a factory setting - too many clients and hardly any agents.

Forget Hollywood, what about the British Film Industry? Can that be your calling?
I don't know much about the British Film Industry. You should know about it better (laughs). Hollywood too isn't my calling as of now because I haven't lived in L.A. I am based in New York. I intend to move to L.A. soon. But I don't know how to drive now (laughs). L.A. is all about driving fast cars (laughs). The last time I learnt to drive was when I was sixteen years old (laughs). But yes, I have no plans to enter Hollywood but you never know. Look at Frieda Pinto and her career.

We meet at Bascilico in Bandra over Shenaz’s favourite musk melon juice. It’s been a year when we last met at the same place, same seat and the same Shenaz: fuller figure, fuller lips, Read More">the stretched smile that often turns into mad laughter with a hint of ‘hippie’ness. I have a confession to make –Read More

We meet at Bascilico in Bandra over Shenaz's favourite musk melon juice. It's been a year when we last met at the same place, same seat and the same Shenaz: fuller figure, fuller lips, the stretched smile that often turns into mad laughter with a hint of 'hippie'ness. I have a confession to make - Yes, she was my crush during the college days. In the beginning I didn't understand the Shenaz Treasuryvala phenomenon and like many who swore that they'd only have a girlfriend like her and never did, call me old fashioned but I don't mind re-living my crush days. Shenaz, you listening? Here, the one-time wild child talks candidly about her unlikely emergence in Bollywood, her fondness for writing more screenplays, her love for the West and her dream to be the Tina Fey of India.

Finally, you took the 'aage se right' turn. All good?
(Laughs) I did take a wrong turn with Aagey Se Right but by doing Delhi Belly I think I managed to take the right turn again (laughs). After Delhi Belly, I went to America and got this show called 'One Life to Live'. But now that the show is over, I am back in Bollywood. I want to do films that I like. I know people have this misconception that I've settled in the U.S. but that is not true. Having said that, my phone wasn't working. I had it off in the States (laughs). My producer Pooja Gujral (Main Aur Mr Riight) tracked me down somehow and got me to India. I wasn't bothered but I have learnt a lesson now - My phone will be on (laughs). I don't want to give up my movie career here and at the same time I'd love to do shows in America too.

Besides acting, you've shown your penchant for writing too.
I love writing stories. For me, it's all about screenplays. I did write Luv Ka The End for Y Films. Even this film that I am doing - Main Aur Mr Riight directed by Adeeb Rais, I am doing it because my character is written so well, the script overall is amazing and it's a great comic drama. It's a fun, fresh comedy and I identify with my character Alya.

So, tell me more about the different roles you’re being offered in the West and more. In America it’s not like India where you get roles if someone spots you and the next thing you know is that you are on a set of a film. Out there, everything is in place, Read More">in order. RulesRead More

So, tell me more about the different roles you're being offered in the West and more.
In America it's not like India where you get roles if someone spots you and the next thing you know is that you are on a set of a film. Out there, everything is in place, in order. Rules are rules, whoever you are, you have to follow them. There are auditions for every small to big character in the film. Out here, I haven't been auditioned ever, except for Delhi Belly. I am ready to audition for all my roles. It's a fair game in Hollywood. I actually got very close to getting Spike Lee's show who was directing a documentary on Mike Tyson's life. Guess what was the role I was offered? That of the 'whore' (laughs). It was about Mike Tyson's early days where I had to make love in the tub (laughs). Good for me because they wanted a 'Latina' girl and not an Indian girl. Never have I been so upset for not being a 'whore' (laughs). What a loss!

Your next after Delhi Belly is Main Aur Mr. Riight. Finally, you found someone.
My Mr. Right is Barun Sobti. He is so hot that I've started to get hate mails from his fans from all across the globe. It's unreal man! (laughs). I play a girl called Alya who is looking for her Mr. Right. She has a successful career and a great group of friends but not a partner. She is the only one who isn't married. There is a twist in the film that I can't tell you right now. But honestly, I liked the script because it had a very youthful vibe and I could relate to it.

Name a few films that have left a lasting impression on you and the movies you’d loved to be a part of as a team. In the recent past I’ve liked The Artist, My Week With Marilyn and A Separation. I have a list of my all time favourites too. It goes – Sideways, Read More">UpRead More

Name a few films that have left a lasting impression on you and the movies you'd loved to be a part of as a team.
In the recent past I've liked The Artist, My Week With Marilyn and A Separation. I have a list of my all time favourites too. It goes - Sideways, Up In The Air and Delhi Belly. And then I'd love to be a part of the team that made films like Superbad, 21 Jump Street, Bridesmaid, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up and Mean Girls. Kristen Wigg and Tina Fey are my heroes. I want to be India's Tina Fey.

Photographs: Trilokjit Sengupta