Amrita Singh

Amrita Singh returns for her second innings on television as a judge on Ekta Kapoor’s acting talent hunt Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket on 9X (starting on July 6 at 8pm). She would also be mentoring the north zone team starring Akashdeep Sehgal, Mihika Verma, Raj Singh Arora and three new talents picked through auditions. She speaks to t2 about Saif and unSaif aspects of life.

Today reality shows are handing a launch platform to youngsters on a platter. How did you start out in Bollywood 25 years ago?

I had it very easy. My mother was a politician. One day — I had not even finished school then — one of my mother’s friends, Mrs Jaya Bachchan, asked me what I wanted to be in life. Without thinking I said actress. Soon a job was ready for me before I knew what the job was. Jayaji told Dharamji (Dharmendra) and I was launched in Betaab, opposite Sunny (Deol, Dharmendra’s son). I was 16 when shooting started and 18 when the film released. But I have seen many people struggle. But I wouldn’t say today’s starters have it easier. It is unfair to compare generations.

What is your brief as a judge-cum-mentor in Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket?

We are looking for talent in the north zone. The word mentor is too loosely used. Actors don’t need mentors. Nobody can hold your hand in front of the camera.

Given that Shabana Azmi and Zeenat Aman would be mentoring the other zones, would there be an element of competition amongst you?

They are both senior to me and streets ahead as actors. The idea is not to compete with them. I do not expect any bias towards a team. As long as it’s not like Krishna and Karan in Mahabharata (where Krishna stopped Karan from taking the target test at Draupadi’s swayamvar to help his candidate Arjun), I will stay neutral.

This would be your second coming on television. How was the first, Kkavyanjali?

Playing a character in a daily soap is both time-consuming and mentally demanding. That took two years. This one will last 13 episodes.

Your exit from Kkavyanjali disappointed viewers. Much more was expected from the role.

Audiences have expectations. You meet some of them, some you don’t. At that point of time, I needed to come out and do a job. I am grateful to Ekta (Kapoor, producer of Kkavyanjali) that she was there for me. I have no regrets.

So will you only do reality shows on TV?

Reality shows suit my time constraint. I am a single parent. I have to remember that.

How much have you seen of your team members?

I don’t watch much TV. I hardly have the time after returning at the end of the day’s work. And if I have time, I’d rather be glued to a book.

Do you support film stars coming to TV? Doesn’t it take away from the aura?

In our time television was a much smaller set-up. But now TV has revolutionised viewing habits. And even if people see an actor on the street, drunk or in an accident, it doesn’t matter as long as they deliver in front of the camera. That’s what people pay for.

Bollywood has evolved so much in recent years. Do you regret wasting yourself in the 80s?

It is true that the 80s was a mediocre generation as far as cinema is concerned — produced rubbish. Also the early 90s. But there is mediocrity in every generation as there is brilliance. I have done 60 films, may be more. I don’t even remember the names. But I was extremely selective. There is no film that I really regret doing.

Which films of yours have your children seen?

None. These are old films for them. Ibrahim loves Krrish and Dhoom. I doubt if I can ask them to keep three hours of their time to watch Mummy’s film.

Do they watch Daddy’s films?

Yes. Each and every one.

Even Tashan?

Ibrahim was in Tashan…. Can we go back to the show, please? I have to give him a shower (The seven-year-old was heard nagging Mummy since question no.3).

You enter the fifth decade of your life this year. Has time been kind to you?

What? (Pause) I have not entered the fifth decade of my life. I am glad you brought that up. Everywhere people say I am 12 years older than Saif. But that’s not true. Not that I owe anyone an explanation, but I’d like to clear this. I am only six years older than him. And when I turn 50, I will be as proud to be 50 as I am being 44.