Jiah Khan

After shocking the nation with her portrayal of a bold teenager romancing 60-plus Amitabh Bachchan in RGV’s Nishabd, the leggy Jiah Khan is now back with Aamir Khan’s Ghajini where she plays a fully clad medical student. In a candid chat, the dusky 20-year-old says she is more like her character in Ghajini than Nishabd...

Your character in Ghajini is a U-turn from the bold and bindaas babe you played in your debut, Nishabd...

In real life, I am actually closer to the character I play in Ghajini, where I play a medical student who comes across Aamir Khan’s case study. Everyone thinks that I am this rebellious wild child which I am absolutely not (laughs). I sit at home all day and read, play the piano, play with my animals. I am like the ultimate geek in real life. So this is more like me.

You have worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan in your two films. How would you compare them?

They are both superstars and it is nerve-wracking because you have to match their acting. They are both extremely professional. The difference is that Mr Bachchan comes with so many years of experience. When he performs, it’s so natural and so relaxed. Whereas Aamir is always striving to make each shot more perfect than the last.

Are you in touch with Amitabh Bachchan and Ram Gopal Varma?

Yes. I don’t believe I should cut off contact just because I finished the film. RGV gave me my first film. I respect the fact that he launched me in such a big way.

What do you think of Aamir’s eight-pack abs?

I was on the sets when he was doing a scene while sitting in boxers and working out. I just stopped. I could not believe what I was seeing. This is the man who looked so different two years ago. His dedication and drive has given him this fantastic body. To anyone who comes to me saying “Oh I am feeling bad today”, I say: “Go look at Aamir”.

Why are you so low-key in the Ghajini promotion?

It’s a big project. I have done my job to the best that I could and left the marketing to the concerned team. I completely trust the professionals. I have been told there are three phases of promotions. The first one had Aamir, the second one had Aamir and Asin, and the third one will have Aamir and me.

In Ghajini you are sharing the screen with Asin. Does it make you insecure?

I am absolutely cool. This is Asin’s debut in Bollywood. It’s very important for her to be in the limelight because this is a make-or-break thing for her. This is already my second film. I was in the limelight with Nishabd. So I am very secure that way. I am not selfish. The film on the whole is fantastic. I am just glad if I can share even a frame with Aamir. Some actresses work for 20 years and still don’t get to work with Amitabh and Aamir.

Is there a romantic angle between Aamir and you too?

No, no, no… (laughs). I play a young girl, a student. I am basically his sidekick in the film which was really fun to play. I have known Aamir since I was a child... so it would be very awkward for me to be romancing him (laughs).

Is it true that that you don’t have a very lengthy part in the movie?

I think it’s really silly to be counting how many minutes you have in a film. If it’s a good role, it’s a good role. And it’s opposite Aamir Khan. Actresses have been dying to do this role. A lot of actresses from Priyanka Chopra to Ayesha Takia auditioned for this. So to have bagged this role is big enough for me.

In both your films you have worked with much older actors. Wouldn’t you want to work with actors closer to your age?

This is Bollywood. Fortunately, most of our lead actors don’t look their age, which is fantastic. I am working with Shahid (Kapur) in my next film; so it’s not that I am working with older people only. And Akshay Kumar looks 20-something at the age of 40.

Tell us about Sajid Khan’s Houseful and Ken Ghosh’s Yahoo with Shahid.

I am currently shooting for the Shahid film. And Houseful will start in a couple of months. I am opposite Akshay in the movie.

You have been very unconventional in your choice of roles...

Shahid’s film is a complete commercial film where I play a choreographer. It’s a light-hearted dance film. I have been looking forward to doing the whole typical actress thing — I have been practising it in front of the mirror since I was six. That’s what I am best at. Hope people will see that soon. But I also like to do different things. An actress’s career span in the industry is not too long — so the more variety I can have in roles, the better it is for me.

Do you think Jiah can play a typical Bollywood heroine?
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