When Ramu got ruffled
By:
Upala
KBR,
Mid-Day
Monday,
September
11,
2006
Recently,
a
daily
published
the
story
about
how
starlet
Sherlyn
Chopra
was
the
original
choice
for
Ram
Gopal
Varma's
Darling,
and
not
Esha
Deol.
It
created
quite
a
furore
yesterday,
with
an
upset
Hema
Malini
calling
Ramu
and
quizzing
him
about
it.
Ramu sounded very hassled when we eventually spoke to him. "I have never met this girl (Sherlyn Chopra) in my life or spoken to her about a role. So I don't know where this is coming from. My first and only choice was Esha. I would like to clear the air, as Hemaji was quite upset with the report."
Ghostly tales
And no, Esha doesn't play an ugly ghost in Darling, a romantic, musical thriller. "Not at all," says Ramu, adding, "Never has Esha looked more beautiful than she does in Darling. Nor does she play a ghost."
The buzz is that he has finalised Jiah Khan to play Basanti in his version of Sholay. Says Ramu, "That's not true. I won't finalise anybody till I begin the film. Sholay will be starting in the next ten days, so don't ask me anything about it till then."
Ramu spoils you
But Esha sounds completely chilled when we talk to her. "Mom called me and said this story has come out, but I'm not bothered by these rumours. I have a lot of respect for Ramu. I was earlier supposed to work with him in a film but it didn't work out. Then later, he offered me Darling. We have now completed the first schedule."
The film also stars Fardeen Khan and is being directed by Ramu. Is it true that she's looking like an ugly ghost in Darling? Esha laughs, "It doesn't matter whether I play a ghost or angel in Ramu's film. As for what I look like, you'll have to watch the film to find out. The role was fabulous, so I took it up. It's been a fantastic experience. Ramu spoils you for other directors."
Busy bee
Lately, Esha has been off the radar. "I've been living in Cape Town for the last one month. I haven't had the time to relax in my new home in Goregaon. I have decorated my bedroom but have hardly spent 10 days there. My skin feels neglected and is beginning to crack from all the make-up I've been putting on," she says.
She wasn't seen on the Rockstar 2 shows this time. Esha says, "There were date problems. I've been busy completing films like Meghna Gulzar's Baat Pakki and Darling, and doing some shows. Currently, I'm shooting for Anubhav Sinha's Cash in Cape Town."
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