Theatre, TV and film artiste Ira Dubey is famous for her role in Aisha (2010). She talks about her two forthcoming films — M Cream and Gauri Shinde’s film alongside Shah Rukh and Alia Bhatt.
What attracted you to your role in M Cream?
I play Jayshree Bose, a Bengali from Delhi who is a strong, simple person and believes that she can make a difference in the world, so she helps people. She is innocent but has this endearing quietness about her; that’s what attracted me to her character. It’s very different from the image of Ira Dubey everyone has.
You had a very glamorous role in Aaisha. Which role is more like you?
I am an actor who believes that I have to be each character I play. You have to find ways to relate, love, understand and get to know them to make it truthful and honest. I love Pinky of Aisha – flamboyant, bitchy, outspoken. Jay (Jayshree) reminds me of a younger version of myself. I love this character because Jay is the polar opposite of what I played in Aisha.
Were you uncomfortable while doing the intimate scenes?
I was very comfortable because Imaad and I are good friends. The scene was shot in a forest — and as beautiful as it looks, it was a little uncomfortable, but it finally turned out to be very nice, casual and funny too. We were relaxed, prepared and knew what the director wanted from the scene.
You have chosen unconventional roles...
I am constantly trying to break the image that people may have because cinema is a very visual medium and you are often cast based on the way you look. You have to try very consciously to break that. Take my own mother’s (Lilette Dubey’s) example — people think we live in South Bombay so we can only do glamorous, upper-class parts. But that’s nonsense. In theatre, I have done all kinds of roles. I have broken boundaries, done unglamorous roles; and I would like to do the same in my films. Unconventional or mainstream, I hope something interesting comes along.
You are doing Gauri Shinde’s film with Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan. Spill some beans on that.
It’s a wonderful project with a great cast — Alia Bhatt, Kunal Kapoor, Ali Zafar and many newcomers; and Shah Rukh Khan, of course. Sadly, I don’t have any scenes with him though. I was very depressed about that (laughs). It’s a fun and honest film. Gauri’s first film, English Vinglish (2012) was made with a lot of heart and was a very genuine film. This is going to be the same. Alia has bunch of friends and I am one them. I have many scenes with her. I just watched Udta Punjab (2016) and am so impressed by her talent. I think she will go a long way.