MUMBAI: Manjari Phadnis who is ready with her latest movie ‘Zokkomon’ talks about the road ahead.
She compares her career graph with a tortoise who is slow but steady. Manjari Phadnis, who was last seen in Aaami Khan’s production ‘Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na’, talks about her latest film ‘Zokkomon’, past regrets and her future plans.
■ Is it true that Aamir Khan recommended your name to director Satyajit Bhatkal for ‘Zokkomon’?
Satyajit knows Aamir very well because he was a part of the ‘Lagaan’ production team and is also the author of ‘Spirit of Lagaan’. He told me that it was Aamir who suggested my name for ‘Zokkomon’ but then, I had to audition for it.
■ Is Aamir your godfather in the industry?
Aamir is definitely one of my favourite actors and someone I love working with, but I wouldn’t really call him my godfather. The fact that he recommended my name for a film (‘Zokkomon’) means the world to me. I’m his huge fan and loved working under his banner in ‘Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na’.
■ What about playing Aamir’s love interest in a film?
Oh! I would love to do that. Who wouldn’t? It will definitely be a dream come true for me.
■ The three Khans in the industry — Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman — have their own fan following. Would you call yourself a part of Aamir’s camp?
Not really. See, I’ve just done one film under his banner and ‘Zokkomon’ is a Walt Disney production. If it’s really about camps, then I’d like to be associated with all of them.
■ There are comparisons between your role in ‘Zokkomon’ and Aamir’s in ‘Taare Zameen Par’. Are there are any similarities?
I’m playing Darsheel Safari’s (the protagonist) mentor and guide very much like Aamir but it’s a totally different subject. It was fun shooting with Darsheel, who is a powerhouse of talent and energy. We bonded well both on and off screen.
■ Your Telugu film ‘Shakti’ has just released. Tell us more about it.
I’m actually doing a cameo in ‘Shakti’, which stars junior NTR. I’m playing a warrior’s wife who sacrifices everything for the sake of her husband.
■ How was working in ‘Shakti’ different from that of any Bollywood film?
A lot of people complain that Bollywood is not organised as compared to the South but I don’t really think it’s true. Personally, I’ve had a wonderful experience working in Bollywood and love the industry.
■ Are you open to offers from the South Indian film industry?
Definitely. In fact, it’s more challenging for me as an actor to do a film in the language I’m not familiar with. I’ve to learn all the dialogues well before coming on the sets. But like I said, Hindi is my language and I love doing Hindi films.
■ From ‘Rok Sako To Rok Lo’ to ‘Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na’ to now ‘Zokkomon’, are you happy with the way your career is shaping up?
Honestly, I wanted my career’s pace to be a little faster. But I don’t mind being a tortoise who is slow but steady. It’s all right as long as my career graph is going upwards. Acting is one of the professions in which you grow as a person and as a professional very fast because it requires a lot of patience and perseverance to stick around and not give up when things are not going your way. I’ve no regrets except for the fact that it took me longer than I had expected to reach where I’m today.
■ What’s next?
There are talks going on but nothing has been finalised as of now. I’ll only be able to talk about anything when it actually happens. Till then , it’s ‘Zokkomon’ that’s keeping me busy. The film is releasing next week so let’s see where it takes me. One thing is sure that I won’t sign anything in a hurry and spoil everything.