Pakhi

It’s not everyday that the leading lady of a Bollywood movie is also its scriptwriter. It’s not everyday that an actress is directed by her husband in her first major project. It’s not everyday that so many crores are riding on a fresh face. Abbas Tyrewala’s Jhootha Hi Sahi (produced by Sa Re Ga Ma Films) has had its share of titles and controversies but it’s leading lady Pakhi, Abbas’s better-looking better half, who has been the topic of maximum debate. We put the woman in the hot seat and seek all the answers.

Was it Abbas’s idea of casting you as his leading lady? Or did you ask him? How did this all begin?

I wrote the script of this film during the making of Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. This was clearly written for Abbas. It always was Abbas’s next film. When I was giving the narration of the script to Abbas and Madhu (Mantena, co-producer), Madhu felt that I could play the leading lady. But he wasn’t sure, he didn’t bring it up with Abbas. When I gave the narration to John (Abraham), he also felt the same and told Madhu. Then Madhu spoke to Abbas, who was very reluctant initially. He had his reasons. Then they convinced him and I was doing the film!

Where were you in the middle of all this? You didn’t want to play the lead?

Oh, I always wanted to be an actress. I was very thrilled when they decided that I would play the lead. My mom tells me that when as a kid I was asked, ki beta bade hoke tum kya banoge, I said, I wanted to be an actress and I stuck to it throughout. I came to Mumbai for that. So, I was very happy. Very grateful.

You have done a couple of films before. So this is not your debut, strictly speaking?

I did a film when I was in school… Rajan Khosa’s Dance of the Wind. Then I did Hansal Mehta’s Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? They were great experiences. I love cinema. Even if you make me write, make me an assistant… I was Abbas’s assistant and casting director in Jaane Tu… anything to do with films, I would be very happy. I really enjoyed the earlier experiences and I don’t disown them.

Did you write the script with yourself in mind or some other actress?

I think each character that we write is somewhere a part of us. You see a version of you and then write it. Even John’s character has a part of me. But primarily the character of Mishka is based on a friend of mine called Alishka. And incidentally she has also played a part in the film. So, it is strange.

Was it also strange on the sets given you wrote the script and were playing the lead and were being directed by your husband?

As a writer I had a lot to say. There was, of course, a lot of back and forth and Abbas demanded eight drafts of the script. Being a writer himself he was very, very clear as to what are the correct things to do. But I did put up my opinions because it is my script. One month before the shoot, the script was taken away from me and I was told not to read it at all. Since then I had no say in the making of the film. Abbas is a very strict director and he was extra strict with me. (Laughs out loud.) But honestly, it was very easy for me to compartmentalise. I know that to be a good leader you have to be a good follower. So when it was time to follow, I followed him blindly.

No actress comes to mind who made her way on to the screen by writing a script. Was that how you planned it?

Never. I have always been a writer. My father was a journalist and writer. And I used to write plays right from my school days and I would get people from around me and put up the play. I would always write to preoccupy myself. I also used to write poems. And I wrote my first script before I met Abbas. So you know, writing came easy to me and acting is what I wanted to do.

If the film becomes a big hit, will you continue writing?

Hmmm… I love writing and I would continue writing films. Like currently I am writing scripts for others. Not for Abbas, not for myself but for two other directors. And I would love to act again. I have never felt so alive as I felt in front of a camera. So if I get another chance, I would love to act.

Why has the film got delayed for all these months? There were also reports of a lot of reshoots happening. What has been the problem?

Actually I wouldn’t call it a delay. I have often overheard Abbas saying to others that a film releases when a film is ready. So there’s no point in declaring release dates and then trying to meet the deadline. When you are happy with the film, you release it. That’s what we are doing on October 15.

What about the title of the film? That has also been changing every few days…

(Laughs out loud) We haven’t had that many, really. It was 1-800-Love and now it’s Jhootha Hi Sahi. 1-800-Love is very apt for the film but a lot of people gave us feedback that they don’t get the title.

Now you can’t go back to the writing desk and change anything. How are you feeling in the run-up to the release?

I am dying! I am dying! I am writing these two scripts just to keep myself busy. The waiting is the toughest thing. When you are working you don’t realise whether you are doing a good job or not. When everything is done, it’s like the feeling when you sleep at night on the day of your exam. You keep thinking which ones you answered and which ones you didn’t and you keep calculating how much you would get. That’s how I feel these days. That scene I have done well, that scene I have done okay, that scene I was very bad… I keep going through the scenes in my head all day long. I can’t wait anymore.

Do you like the first look of Pakhi? Tell t2@abpmail.com