Sophie Choudary is a versatile person

Tuesday, July 24, 2007
She started off as a video jockey and then came the role of Tanya in Pyar Ke Side Effects. Now Sophie Choudary is busy with her Bollywood assignments, the latest being Speed. The VJ-turned-singer-actor speaks about multi-tasking and her dream film role.

Tell us about the film Speed.
It is an action thriller. I play a girl named Monica who works with Aftab. This is the first negative character that I am playing and I have done the stunts myself. I bet you will see a completely new Sophie in this film -- someone whom even I had not discovered earlier.

It took so long for this film to complete...
I know it has taken too much time for the completion of this film, but what could be done? Film-making is not easy and it does take time, we must have patience. We are actors and should do our parts sincerely, why should we bother about other things unnecessarily?

Most actors in this film have been given a makeover since the shooting continued for two years. What about you?
(Laughs) I'm happy that I did not have to undergo any makeover since I had a small role.

What was the experience like, considering it is an action thriller?
It was a great experience. I'm not saying this just because I have to say good things to you about the film, but because I have truly made good friends on the sets, including Vikram Bhatt (director). I'm a big fan of Urmila Matondkar and it is an achievement for me to have worked with her.

You are also there in Ananth Mahadevan's Aggar and Sanjay Gupta's Alibaug?
Aggar is a romantic thriller in which I'm paired opposite Tusshar Kapoor. I play a girl from a middle-class family who works in an event management firm. She is an ambitious girl who has achieved a lot in little time. On the other hand, Alibaug is an emotional drama. I cannot divulge more, if I speak another word, Sanjay Gupta is going to throw me out of Alibaug.

What was the reason for signing Alibaug, was it your character or Sanjay Gupta?
I always keep in mind which producer and director I am working with. I'm a fan of Sanjay Gupta's movies. I believe that White Feather Films makes some of the best and most stylish films in this country. Since Sanjay will be directing the film himself, it will be a double bonanza for me.

Was the character of Nisha in Alibaug offered to Mandira Bedi?
No, such reports are false. Mandira was offered a different character. The character of Nisha was offered only to me.

Like Speed, Alibaug is also a multi-starrer. How much scope do you find for yourself in such movies?
I do not think about all these. At this point of time, I'm a newcomer and thus I'm not spoilt for choice. I'm lucky that I'm getting to play a different character in every film. I want to convince viewers that I'm a good actress, and then I will choose films.

First a VJ, now a singer and an actor, how do you multi-task so well?
VJing was a medium to gain entry into films. After I joined Bollywood, I wanted to pay attention towards my singing. I will be launching an album in September and this time it will not be a remix, it will have original songs. When you like to do something you automatically find time for it.

If given a choice would you prefer acting or singing?
I love acting because you get to learn so much in the process. Many people think acting is a cakewalk, but believe me, it is tough and I love the challenges.

How do you choose your roles?
I never pre-plan before taking up a role. While shooting I try to put in my best into the character and make sure that I enjoy it. That gets me other roles.

Which character of yours has been closest to your heart?
Tanya of Pyar Ke Side Effects has been closest to me. Like Tanya, even I am an emotional, yet cultured and career-oriented girl. I'm intelligent, as well as a little funny. That is the reason why I have not found a perfect match yet.

Any role that you are on the lookout for?
I would like to play the character of Noor Inayat from Shibani Basu's novel Spy Princess. She was the great grand-daughter of Tipu Sultan. She fought bravely against the German army during the second World War. It is the story of the struggle of a woman who was ultimately killed by the Germans. It is my dream role. I have heard that Shyam Benegal is planning to make a film on this subject and if it is true I will go and ask him for this role. If it is not true, then I will try to convince some producer to make a film on this topic.