Exclusive! Haunted Actress Tia Bajpai On Why She Rejected A Housefull Film, "I Wasn't Comfortable With Bikini"

Tia Bajpai started her career with Television. She was seen as a lead in the show, Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann, and later featured in multiple shows. In 2011, she made her Bollywood debut with Vikram Bhatt's Haunted 3D which was a hit at the box office, and later did movies like 1920: Evil Returns, Lanka, Desi Kattey, and others.

Now, Tia has made a comeback with a song titled Jugni, and Filmibeat recently interacted with her about the song, her movie career, and a lot more...

What response are you getting for your song, Jugni?

Well, the response is massive and incredible. People are loving it and grooving to the beats everywhere. Be it inside cars while travelling or in parties and clubs, I am loving the feedback for the song. Also, I am constantly getting tagged in reels made out of the song. Overall, it's incredible and I am so happy for it. It's taken me a lot of work and preparation to come up with this and I am glad that the efforts have given good results.

You have also written the song so was writing always on your mind, and are you planning to explore writing in films as well?

Yes, I have written the lyrics of the song. However, this isn't the first time I have written the lyrics of my own song. Since childhood itself, I have had the creative flair towards writing and I really enjoy writing my songs. I enjoy every bit of the creative process. Going forward in future, if I get to write for films, I would love to, why not? Like I said, I don't believe in limiting myself as an artiste. I want to expand my wings completely and I truly feel my best is yet to come, be it as a singer or an actor or a writer. I am looking forward to all of it.

We haven't seen you doing much in the movies. Are you choosy or you think industry has failed to offer you good projects?

I believe it's a bit of both. Definitely, I am choosy and I prefer quality over quantity. But also, the reason I had to be choosy is because a lot of scripts that were coming my way weren't the kind of scripts I would have liked to engage in. In fact, talking about rejected, I even rejected a massive Housefull franchise film earlier because I wasn't very comfortable with the idea of bikini and stuff. I do want to do good films and be a part of big-ticket films. But, at the same time, in order to achieve the same, I will never go to an extent which is beyond my comfort zone in terms of clothing and outfits. So yes, I am picky and choosy but the very reason I had to be picky and choosy is because I didn't get the kind of scripts I would have liked to say yes to.

You are still known as Haunted and 1920 girl, how does that feel because the movies were released many years ago?

Well, it feels amazing. The Indian film industry is the biggest film industry in the world with one or more releases every week throughout the year. That means, there are literally n number of films releasing every year. So, amidst all that count, if people remember Haunted and 1920 and associate me with the success of those projects, I am more than happy. It only speaks volumes of the impact these movies created in the minds and hearts of the audience back then. What more can I ask for?

With sequels being made a lot, do you think there should be a sequel to Haunted as well?

Well, this is a decision which the director, producer and studios need to make if the movie will have a sequel or not. But yes, if it eventually does, I would love to be a part of the sequel. The movie has played an instrumental role in my life and I am personally very attached to the film and the subject. So, I would love to be a part of the sequel if it's ever made.

Tell us something about your upcoming projects?

Well, currently, Jugni is the flavour of the season and is winning a lot of love and appreciation from the audience. Apart from this, there are some interesting work developments happening at my end. The official announcements will take place soon as per the correct timelines. Please stay tuned and continue to shower love. My gratitude to one and all.