Call it maturity or clarity of thought, Kajal Aggarwal sounds every bit like a student firmly on the learning curve. Though it has been more than a decade since she ventured into acting, she “doesn’t feel like it.” The actress says she’s in the best phase of her career now. “I have always wanted to be a good performer than being a mere actor. I still have the same energy and enthusiasm in me when I sign my films,” she smiles. CE speaks to her about her upcoming projects, besides her own mobile App and so on.
Excerpts follow:
You have done many films in Tamil and Telugu. Which is more comfortable to you?
I understand Tamil, but I don’t speak the language fluently. My Telugu is definitely better than my Tamil. Telugu is little similar to Hindi. To me, it’s all about what I am doing. The language doesn’t really matter.
Tell us about Vivegam. What does it have in store for the audience?
I am not in a position to reveal anything about my character, but it will be different from my previous ones. I’ll be leaving to Siberia this week for the last schedule. I am there for 20 days. This is going to be the longest schedule so far.
Are you working on any Telugu project?
Currently, I am occupied with a film (tentatively titled) Nene Raju Nene Mantri that has Rana Daggubati in the lead. It’s an interesting, hard-hitting political drama.
In the past, we have had actors launching their own mobile App (s). What made you do it little late?
I have never been technologically advanced. In fact, I joined Twitter pretty late.
I don’t have the time! (Laughs). Social media itself is an additional stress, but I hope this App is going to make my job easy. Fans will be able to connect directly with me through the in-app social feed.
They’ll get exclusive updates from me. Also, I’ve made sure that the App is secure. We’ve a bunch of people who monitor the comments, and remove offensive content. I am looking forward to interact with fans on a regular basis.
Are you happy with the roles that you get?
Earlier, I wasn’t satisfied. I was looking for more substantial ones. I had the quest to seek better roles and films, and eventually I achieved them. I don’t want to be a part of many films. On the whole, the situation has become a lot more better than how it was before – in terms of content, presentation and execution.
Why are you not focusing much on Bollywood?
I keep telling my friends and family that by mistake I was born into the wrong family. (Chuckles). I am a pucca South Indian at heart. I like the cuisines which we make here! I feel that I belong to the south. I am happy being here.
I had been getting offers in Hindi films, but I am keen on doing Tamil and Telugu films. I started off here; of course my preference will be south. When I am getting good offers in both Tamil and Telugu – I don’t find a reason to go to Bollywood. It’s a conscious choice that I am making. I don’t have to compromise on the quality of films, just because it’s Bollywood!
Favourite actors and directors...
I would love to work with Mani Ratnam sir and Rajinikanth sir. I’ve never worked with them before.
When you sign a film what do you look in for?
My character and what importance does that hold to the story. The screen space doesn’t really matter! I am cool as long as my role is justified. Also, it has to be crucial to the plot of the film. I have learnt what I want over a period of time.
I am in a position to pick and choose. I want to explore more and deliver better films, better performances. I go by the script mostly and my instinct. Any role that I am doing has to be well-defined. I don’t want to simply run around trees and vanish! Initially, I feared being typecast but it took me a while to get over it.
Do you have any dream role?
I have been a part of historical films, commercial flicks and so on. I’d love to do an action film. Also, I’d love to do a full-fledged comedy film. (Recently, Kajal launched her own App in collaboration with New York-based startup Escapex)