“Vasundhara does not resemble any of my characters from Hindi films,” says Kajol, who is back in Tamil cinema with VIP 2.
Kajol, with her twinkling amber eyes and a contagious smile to match, is one actor who captured our hearts with her on-screen performances.
A fourth-generation actor (maternal great grandmother Rattan Bai, maternal grandmother Shobana Samarth, mother Tanuja and maternal aunt Nutan were all leading ladies in Bollywood), she made a memorable debut in Tamil cinema with Rajeev Menon’s Minsara Kanavu. Her character Priya from this story of a love triangle is fondly remembered.
Twenty years later, Kajol returns to Tamil cinema with the Dhanush film Vellai Illa Pattadhaari 2 (VIP 2).
From the trailers of VIP 2, her character Vasundhara comes across as an ambitious business woman with an attitude of her own. Sophisticated and stylish, she crosses swords with Raghuvaran, the role played by Dhanush.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News tabloid!, Kajol talked about her role and about working with Dhanush.
What drew you back to Tamil cinema?
When Dhanush and [director] Soundarya [Rajinikanth] approached me for VIP 2, I told them I am not doing the film. I did Minsara Kanavu 20 years ago and it was difficult. I remember sitting for two hours every evening and learning my lines. It was like homework and involved putting in three times the effort when compared to a Hindi film.
Even after the narration, I was not keen. But Dhanush insisted. ‘We are OK with you talking in any language,’ he said. ‘We will dub it, we just want your expressions.’
I then asked him, ‘What do you mean? Are you OK if I say 1, 2, 3, 4.’ Obviously, we did not do that. I did speak the lines in Tamil.
Who is this Vasundhara?
Vasundhara is an amazing woman. I respect her. She is like those self-made millionaires who achieve everything on their own. I think that’s every woman and human being’s ideal — to be known without the tag of being somebody’s wife, or known as a Mrs somebody.
Have you played similar roles in Hindi?
No, Vasundhara does not resemble any of my characters from Hindi films. She is different. I would not call her a character. She is a force of nature. She has decided her path and will not let anyone or anything come in the way. She will make sure she gets it. I admire Vasundhara.
Are there negative shades to her?
Vasundhara is not a negative character. She is complex yet straightforward and not difficult to figure out. The film is about... two personalities with two different ideologies. When their two worlds meet, obviously there is resistance. We have taken cinematic liberties though and I think most of what she does in the film is valid. There is no one supremely positive or negative in the story and there is no villain. The good part is how they eventually resolve it.
How was it working in the south?
The film industry is the same, whichever language you speak, when it comes to facing the camera. However, with a new language, it’s like literally learning to work again. Acting in a language that you don’t understand requires a different technique.
With VIP 2, I took around two days to figure out the language. Since Dhanush has written the script, he coached me on the dialogues. Soundarya worked around me and with me, making sure that everything was done the way it is supposed to be. Soundarya helped me deliver the role like I know Tamil. She is wonderful.
What do you think of today’s Indian cinema?
This is one of the best times for an actor. We have reached a point in our country where we have all kinds of cinema. It’s not just romance but all genres are being accepted and they make money. It’s a great time for cinema [the] world over, especially in India where we can experiment with cinema. Baahubali is an interesting example of meeting international standards. Baahubali set an example that we can make a film in any language and it has been critically acclaimed and accepted globally.
What kind of films do you enjoy watching?
I am not a film buff and I don’t watch a film every day. I have missed many good films. Dhanush has been insisting that I see at least one of his films. I have seen few Malayalam films. I liked Mohanlal’s film on Alzheimer’s [2005’s Thanmathra]. It was brilliant. I cried and cried. I have immense respect for south Indian directors.
Looking back on ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ how does it feel?
The film made its own history. When we made the film, we did not know then that it would become such a phenomenon. I don’t think we can repeat the phenomenon. Shah Rukh [Khan] and I are grateful that people are still watching the film.
Tell us the secret of your young look.
I honestly don’t believe in age and that age is a wrinkle on your face. I have seen children with old eyes, looking like little old men and women. I have also seen young people who look like 30 or 40-year-olds.
Age shows when you die in your soul or in your mind. So long as a person is interested in doing what he is doing, you will never see the lines of age. But one they start feeling bored and wonder ‘What am I doing here?’ that’s when age shows.
I am one of those eternally curious minds. I read a lot and have a lot of interests. I love my kids and they teach me something new every day. They keep me young.
Did you finally learn some Tamil?
Yes, a few words like ‘Saaptacha’ [have you eaten?], Venda Venda [no, no] and Yaaru [who].
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Don’t miss it!
VIP 2 releases in the UAE on August 10.
