Tulip Joshi speaks on plans lined up

More than 4 years after her debut and 2 more films later, Tulip Joshi is in news once again with multiple releases in next few months and some exciting top line projects underway. Meet the girl who has done a variety of films ranging from bubble gum romance [Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Dil Maange More] to a hard hitting social [Matrubhumi] and is now gearing up with at least 5 more films!

Suddenly one is hearing a lot about you Tulip
[Giggles] Yeah, and that's' because a lot is happening in my life, you know! I have completed Hostel and Shunya and am now waiting for their release early next year. I have signed a couple of films with Sanjay Gupta too, one of them being Dus Kahaniyan. I am acting in one of the stories there. Apart from that I have recently signed Sameer Karnik's Mera Bharat Mahaan.

How did the Sanjay Gupta films happen?
Since I had started working in films again after a break, I got a call from the White Feather office. They wanted me to meet Sanjay Gupta and he offered me these films. Moreover I too have liked his films all this while due to their slick feel. So, there I was on!

So what are the roles that you get to play in these films?
Well, I can't much about any of my new films, whether the ones with Sanjay Gupta or Sameer Karnik. [Laughs] I will be killed if I divulge any information now.

But you do can talk about Hostel and Shunya, right?
Of course! In Hostel, I am playing this 18 year old middle class college girl who interacts with a boy [Vatsal Seth] who stays at a male-only hostel. A relationship develops between the two and they fall in love. This is when she gets to know the kind of issues that he faces in the hostel and how she gives him strength to change the scenario there.

What kind of treatment has been given to a subject like this?
The film has been given a realistic touch but then it also has a lot of action. It is directed by Manish Gupta who has written Ram Gopal Verma's Sarkar.

You and realism seem to be going together, especially after Matrubhumi
[Laughs] True, but then the characters here are completely different. While in Matrubhumi, there was a lot of torment factor going on, in Hostel I am this sweet and simple girl who works as a relief factor. She is the one who brings in the lighter moments in the film.

So do you get to sing along and dance around the trees?
No, nothing of that sort! The songs basically play as montages.

How about Shunya? The title seems pretty different.
To say that I am honored to be a part of a film that has actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Kay Kay Menon would be an understatement. It has been such a learning experience to be just a part of such a setup and I can't explain how exciting it was to be there in the film. I had met up with director Arindam Mitra and what excited me most was the film's script. Anurag Kashyap has come up with a very exciting story. My role in the film is that of an established actress in the film and I have come with a new look altogether.

Why are seen so off and on taking into consideration that your debut was 4.5 years back with Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai?
Actually I wasn't keeping too well over the years and had some severe back problems. In fact even during the shooting of Dil Maange More, I was very ill due to which I couldn't pick up any new assignments for a long time.

It must have hurt to be out of industry for such an extended period?
That's true. Also, in an industry where every Friday a new person arrives on the scene, it is quite weird to be actually sitting at home and waiting to be back on your feet.

You must be happy with the way your career is progressing today?
True, I am fortunate to be back. It wasn't an easy comeback though. It seems like I am starting as a newcomer all over again. But yeah, now with Hostel and Shunya coming back to back, there should be a lot happening.

One thing that has always made a lot is people wonder is, how come you started off as Sanjana and are now called Tulip?
See Tulip is my real name but for Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Aditya Chopra wanted an Indian name. This is why I was rechristened Sanjana, more so since it fitted well with my screen name. But now I am back to Tulip since things have changed and this is the way I like to be called!

With Yash Raj Films coming in with multiple films every year, aren't you expecting some offers coming your way from them?
[Laughs] Yes, I do expect, why not? But nothing has been signed yet with YRF. Though I am sure that the day they have something for me, they would certainly call me!

From Matrubhumi to the set of films that are actually bagging; isn't it difficult to break away from an image?
It indeed is quite a difficult thing. I faced a lot of problems after Matrubhumi too since I was always expected to play certain set kind of roles. In fact I face such a problem even today since people slot you. But I want people to know that I am a versatile actor who can do different kind of roles. With my new look, I am sure I would be noticed and considered for different kind of films.

This is the reason why you play a college girl in Hostel?
True. And why just that, I am in fact looking for a lot of other kind of roles too. I am happy because on one side I have Matrubhumi and on the other I have some other exciting roles coming in which means that I have a wide spectrum to choose from and enjoy.