Juhi Chawla on her film Swami

Juhi Chawla is a long runner, no doubt. She has been in the Bollywood fraternity for almost twenty years now, first as the bubbly and sweet girl next door and now as a veteran actress who dares to try out all kinds of roles. We decided to catch up with Chirpy Chawla on her shoot and asked her about her latest film Swami which is in the last phase of its shooting.

What is this song all about that you are shooting for?
It's the last schedule of our shooting and what could have been better than to end the film with the name of Ganeshji. Ganesh Visarjan is going to take place in the song. Manoj (Bajpai) gets good news about his family and his dream is finally going to come true.

But we have heard that there are no songs in the film...
It's a theme song, which is being shot. When there's a celebration, music has to come in always. You can call it music but not the kind o song you normally see, in other Hindi movies.

What according to you is the USP of this film?
First of all, this is not a typical multi-starrer film. The story is such that any person could relate to it. Ganesh (Acharya) has written it from his heart. Music and moments are very nice and touchy. You wouldn't see any melodrama or violence happening in the film. Overall it's a very beautiful simple film, which narrates its story in a simpler way. I had tears in my eyes when Ganesh narrated me the story for the first time.

Tell us something about your character?
I am playing the character of a Maharashtrian woman named Radha. There's a family touch and simplicity attached with the character.

You are working with Manoj Bajpai for the first time...
Yes. He's a tremendous actor and a very good human being. It was a great experience working with him. When Ganesh told me that he has signed Manoj (Bajpai) for the role of Swami I was really very happy and satisfied. No other person would have justified Swami's character other than Manoj.

How do you analyze Ganesh Acharya in his new role as a director?
Ganesh has got a lot of experience in this industry. When he shoots a song then too there's a touch of comedy, action, emotions etc attached to it. It was his story and I think directed the film from his heart.

You have always been associated with the big banners. This seems to be a low-budget film...
For me, more than a banner it's the film that I am working on counts. Any film with a good story would work. The budget of a film doesn't necessarily decide the future of a film.

Where was the film being shot?
We completed the film in 130 days. It was mostly shot in Mumbai. We also shot some sequences in Khandala. We have worked hard day in and day out for the project.