Sameera's international film...

Courtesy: Upala KBR, Mid-Day

Sameera Reddy's on a roll these days. Apart from signing some big films, the actress has been approached for a UK-based international project. Her film, Taxi No 9211, will release next week. We caught up with the busy Sameera for an interview before she left for Hyderabad...

Have you been approached for an international film based on Monica Ali's novel Brick Lane (2003)?
Yes, I have been approached for the film. The producers zeroed in on me after seeing Kaal Purush. And it's an honour that someone is offering me author-backed role so early in my career. The book is nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. It's a film about a strong woman, Nazneen, from Bangladesh, who faces a lot of struggle on a personal and a social level.

A very interesting graph, and a strongly written script. I would love to do it. But they want a schedule of 45 days, and right now, I am pressed for time, so I don't know if we will manage. But I am trying very hard as I would love to do the film.

What other projects are you doing?
There is Feroze Nadiadwala's Fool And Final, directed by Ahmad Khan, and co-starring Sunny, Shahid and Viveik; Tolu Bajaj's Naksha, directed by Sachin Bajaj and co-starring Sunny and Viveik, where I play a young, bratty journalist, who gets lost in the jungle.

Then there is Gulami, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and co-starring Sunny and Irrfan Khan. I play Irrfan's sister, and we are both dacoits. My next release is Milan Luthria's Taxi No 9211, and then is Anees Bazmi's Benaam, co-starring Ajay Devgan.

How was it working in Taxi No 9211?
Taxi No 9211 has shaped up beautifully. Nana and John are a riot together. They have a great chemistry and I thoroughly enjoyed doing the film. My role is of a very practical and materialistic girl. How I have managed to hold my own against two giants is something only the audience can tell. But I enjoyed myself during the shoot and learnt a lot.

How was it working with Nana Patekar, who is known to be very strong in his opinions?
Nana is one of the nicest, most professional actors I have met. He gives invaluable tips that help you grow as an actor. There is no competition, just a great working environment when he is around, and he has great screen presence. It was a pleasure to work with him.

And John?
I have known John earlier, and he is person with the best temperament. He never loses his cool and has a fan following that is flabbergasting. John gets mobbed by men, women, children and old people everywhere.

What did you learn from Milan Luthria?
Milan, as a director, allows you space to express your own way, and yet is around when you want help. He is in complete control on the sets and is a very reassuring presence.

Your Bengali film, Kaal Purush, went to many international festivals and won critical acclaim... I am blessed with so many things working out in my life. I am definitely going to work with Buddhoda (Buddhadeb Dasgupta) again. When he asked me to be in his next film, at the IFFI fest in Goa, I was like 'is this happening to me?'

Is it true that you are not doing Priyadarshan's film with Akshay, Govinda and Lara Dutta?
Unfortunately, I can't work on this project at this point. My dates have become a bit of a stress area at the moment, but I think they will get sorted by June. I am currently working two three shifts every day. On some days, I am down with flu, but can't complain.

What kind of roles are you looking at now?
Roles that have variety and shades, and roles that are fun. Roles that allow me to grow as an actor. Is that a tall order?