'I am here to stay'

An interview with the upcoming Indian actress Tejaswini Kolhapure

Model turned actress Tejaswini Kolhapure was better known as actress Padmini Kolhapure's younger sister when she made her debut with the movie Paanch, directed by Anurag Kashyap. Strangely, her subsequent movie Stop has been released first, letting her make a name as an actress in her own right.

An interview with the upcoming star:

Paanch was the first film for which you had faced the camera. However Stop is now being released. How do you feel?
I would have loved it if Paanch had been my first release because it was the first film which I had signed as an actress. It is upsetting that it has not yet been released but if that is how it has been destined, then let it be so. It really does not matter which is my first release as long as a film of mine is being released.

Are there butterflies in your stomach now?
Not really. In fact I am very blank now because all my excitement has already gone with the non-release of Paanch. All that I can say is that I am happy that Stop is being released now because I have worked really hard for the film.

What is your role in Stop?
I play Tina, a street-smart actress. She is a prankster like me in real life and has a lot of fun with her friends with whom she is sharing an apartment. Her friends are Sonia, Om and Payal. Though she presents her light and frothy side to the world at large, there is a dark side lurking in her past which she does not wish to reveal till she catches up with her past.

Did you have to do any homework to get into the character?
The role that I am playing in Stop isn't the kind of role for which I need to do any homework. To a large extent I could identify myself with the character. I could break the ice with my co-stars like Rocky Bhatia, Ishita Arun, Gauri Karnik etc. and everything fell into place easily.

Did you attend any workshop to prepare yourself for the role?
No. Ajai Sinha, who is directing the film, didn't want us to attend any workshop or reading session because he wanted to present us in a realistic fashion with a spontaneous approach to our respective roles. He did not want us to give a rehearsed approach with a 'been there done that' look.

To what extent did it help being a sister of Padmini?
It helped me in getting access to people who matter. People take you seriously if you are related to some one who is known in the industry. But the problem was that people expected me to be automatically Padmini Kolhapure Part 2, which irked me no end. It was irritating to see people expecting me to behave like my didi and also act like her. So initially I decided to give up my plans to take up acting and concentrated only on modelling.

You had made your debut with the TV serial Mujhe Chand Chahiye.
Yes. I did that one serial which was directed by Raja Bundela because I was cast in it for what I am. I did not want to do any more TV serials after Mujhe Chand Chahiye because I feel I was half-hearted when I was working in it.

And now?
Now I am here to stay. I am much more focused now as an actress. I know what I want. If I wasn't I'd have given up acting when Paanch was still in the cans for more than two years. I know that I am meant to be here in this industry as an actress - come rain, come shine.

What are your forthcoming films?
I am there in Anjaane The Unknown. I play Sanjay Kapoor's girlfriend. Manisha Koirala is also in it. Then I am there in Daag The Shades of Love in which I have been pitted against Ashmit Patel and Deepal Shaw. I play a media baron's daughter in it. Hriday Shetty is directing the film.

To what extent are you ready to show skin like say, Mallika Sherawat?
I was offered tons of bold and sexy films but I declined them. If there is only skin show in a film, then, sorry, I am not interested at all. However I am not against being sexy. There is nothing wrong in being sensuous or sexy. But I'd rather sit at home than end up being referred to as yet another Mallika Sherawat. In any case my dad feels that acting is the most frivolous job. If I start stripping on the screen, he will throw me out of the house.

Finally is it true that you said no to Julie?
Yes. Though I liked the script of Julie, I wasn't convinced with the requirement for the part and I said no to Deepak Shivdasani. I had also said no to Mathrubhoomi when Pankaj Kharbanda approached me with the role.