FILM INTERVIEW: KAJAL AGGARWAL

 

“The reach of Hindi cinema is larger, but the south is equally professional. In the South, they have very talented technicians like in Bollywood. Both industries have equally good artists, good scripts, and good professionals,” Ms. Aggarwal told the Indian press. “I feel, just like Bollywood, southern films are also reaching a lot of places. The movies are going beyond boundaries. Regional barriers are slowly and steadily disappearing, which is a very good thing.”

 

A perfect example of the boundaries slowly disappearing is the recent infusion of Bollywood remakes of Southie films. In addition to Singham finding its way into Hindi cinema after hitting Kollywood screens last year, other films -- such as Ready, Endhiran (Robo), and Raavan (Raavanan) -- have found audiences in Bollywood, as well as in the South.

 

Of course, precedence for collaborations between Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood was established when many filmmakers and actors first made a name for themselves in the South before moving north to Mumbai to seek careers in the more mainstream Hindi cinema, including well-known industry heavy-hitters such as actress Aishwarya Rai and director Priyadarshan.

 

But Ms. Aggarwal has noticed that the collaborations between industries has extended beyond the big names and now include key crew members.

 

“One more very good trend I have noticed lately is that a lot of technicians are being shared pan-India,” she told the press. “A lot of technicians from the south are working in Bollywood, and vice versa --  directors of photography, choreographers, etc. All are working in both the industries.”

 

Ms. Aggarwal is now the latest person to add to the list of film talent hopping onto the Bollywood-Southie “Pipeline Express,” taking on her first ever significant role in Hindi cinema and second all-time appearance since her 2004 debut via cameo in Kyun …! Ho Haya Na. Since then, Ms. Aggarwal has starred in nearly two dozen Tamil and Telugu films, including Chandamama, Magadheera, Darling, Mr. Perfect, and her award-winning role in Brindaavanam.

 

In playing a girl next door in her unofficial Bollywood debut, Ms. Aggarwal definitely thinks there is a place for her in Hindi film, so long as she has the opportunity to eventually call her own shots about who and what she portrays. Specifically, she hopes to balance sex appeal and class.

 

“The south is glamorous; Bollywood is more glamorous. But I think they still have their reservations about certain things. No offense to anyone who believes in portraying certain characters, but I do have my reservations about certain things,” the Southie actress said to the media. “I do believe in one thing -- that you can be glamorous wearing a sari or a full-sleeve t-shirt and jeans; you don't really have to show skin to look glamorous. I don’t have a problem with looking hot or sexy, but skin shows to a limit.”

 

Irrespective of limitations and blurred boundaries, one great benefit of working in Bollywood, at least from Ms. Aggarwal’s perspective, was the opportunity to work with Mr. Devgn.

 

“I’ve always admired his films and his craft on screen. Despite being such a big star, he is very grounded, down to earth, humble and, as a co-star, very professional, encouraging, supportive, and cooperative,” she confessed to the press. “He rehearsed a lot with me. He doesn't need rehearsals; he is very impromptu, but for my sake, he did that. When it came to acting, he gave me a very important tip. I naturally speak very fast, so he told me I need to slow down.”

 

Perhaps Ms. Aggarwal had to slow down her verbal cues, but she would be remiss to take Mr. Devgn’s advice seriously in terms of her career path. Indeed, may Singham allow Ms. Aggarwal’s acting career do anything but slow down.

 

Reliance Entertainment's ‘Singham’ releases on July 22, 2011.