Soha Ali Khan frankly...

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Mumbai (UNI): Bollywood star Soha Ali Khan says she prefers Bengali films to Bollywood as the former has strong roles for girls there. She told media persons on the sets of her latest film Ahista Ahista starring herself and Abhay Deol, ''I like Bengali films much more because they have strong roles for girls and they make films out of love not for commercial reasons.'' She, however, rubbished rumours of her starting a production house with her brother actor Saif Ali Khan.

Soha, who made a grand splash along with other stars in this year's biggest hit Rang De Basanti (RDB), is of the opinion that ''you have to put yourself out there on hoardings, be trashed, criticised and praised to be a film star.'' Post RDB, the response from people has been very positive and hence she has become very choosy. Her forthcoming films include Aparna Sen's film Jewellery Box starring Konkana Sen Sharma, Sudhir Mishra's film, Bahut Nikle Mere Arman with Shiney Ahuja. There are two other films which are ready - Postcards by Rajshree Ojha and Meridian a commercial film by Vinod Mitra. Soha admits she is currently learning Kathak and working on her dialogues.

Of her influential family she says, it is an asset. She says, ''I can call them anytime I want help, but I don't call mom on the sets because I get nervous.'' Of her relationship with her brother Saif, Soha says, ''As an actor, Saif is very good and special. I saw Omkara. Even though he plays a bad character you sympathise with him. Sometimes it is difficult to bring out different shades of a character. He was good in Parineeta too. We talk about a lot of things besides films.'' Of her relationship with her mom , Sharmila Tagore, Soha says, ''She is a great role model. She is excellent at multi-tasking. She has three kids, works for various causes, she is a Censor Chief, has a successful marriage and manages to look good. As a censor chief it entails a lot of responsibility; mom is very sensible, open minded and understands freedom of art as she is an artist herself.''

Speaking of her relationship with her father, the legendary M A K Pataudi she says, ''I take after my father as far as temperament is concerned. We watch more cricket, talk politics and history as both of us went to Oxford University.'' Soha who graduated from the Oxford University was working in Citibank doing high network asset banking. To put it in her words, ''Citibank was boring, that is why I quit.'' The biggest compliments she has received so far have nothing to do with her acting prowess, they are strangely for other qualities as she puts it, ''My parents will be very happy if I go back to Citibank and quit films. They give me compliments like, 'You are intelligent, sensible, well educated, think things carefully, you do not make a mess out of your life'.'' Of the two cities, Delhi and Mumbai, Soha says, ''Both have pros and cons. Mumbai is better for women, but Delhi will always be home. Delhi is prettier while Mumbai is claustrophobic. But I like working in Mumbai.'' Ask her about her link-ups with her co-stars, and she says, ''As far as rumours are concerned, there is a lot of irresponsibility in the media. The thing is you can use tabloids to your advantage.'