An EXCLUSIVE Interview with Rimii Sen

[Tony]

“It’s flattering to have four men chasing me!”

After ‘shikhi dhooming’ with Abhishek Bachchan in ‘Dhoom’, and with ‘Garam Masala’ and ‘Kyon Ki’ just released, the dusky and happening Rimii Sen is ready for her next big release, ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’, on November 25.

An EXCLUSIVE tete-e-tete with Bollywood’s latest hot property:

Rimii Sen is hot and happening these days but prefers keeping a low profile. Why is that?
At the end of the day, my work must speak for itself. I’ve never been the sort to cultivate the media or attend parties to be seen and written about. If I don’t have a release, what do I talk about in my interviews? I’d rather speak when I have a film. I’ve come up the hard way and know what it takes to reach where I’ve reached. Anyway, I must admit that the media has been very kind to me so far. I haven’t been at the receiving end of any negative publicity or salacious gossip!

You’re among the privileged newcomers to have worked with Akshaye Khanna, Abhishek Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan in your first few films itself. How does it feel?
I couldn’t agree more! I have to thank Venus and Priyan sir (Priyadarsan) for giving me ‘Hungama’ opposite Akshaye and Aftab. I even did a small for Ravi sir (Ravi Chopra) in ‘Baghban’. It was an absolute pleasure working with Sanjay Gadhvi and Aditya Chopra in ‘Dhoom’ and Abhishek has come up phenomenally as an actor. Priyan sir repeated me in ‘Kyon Ki’ opposite Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor, and then Firoz sir signed me for two films – ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’ and ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ opposite Akshay Kumar. So I must admit that I’ve had a fantastic innings so far and didn’t have to start my career doing B & C grade films.

After Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Bipasha Basu and many others, everyone’s calling Rimii Sen the next Bengali to storm Bollywood. Comment?
I can’t even think of comparing myself to these women. They’re far ahead of me. But yes, Bengalis in general are very inclined towards performing arts. Look at filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal - they’re all geniuses. Bengali women are exceptional as far as music, dance, theatre and cinema are concerned; of course, everybody doesn’t have it in them. I know of so many Bengalis who came to Bollywood to become stars, but eventually packed their bags and headed back to Kolkata.

You’re the only actress with three releases in November – ‘Kyon Ki’, ‘Garam Masala’ and ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’. Is that a wise move?
I hadn’t planned it this way. It just so happened! But yes, November is going to be an exciting month where I’m concerned – I am featuring in three of the biggest releases of the year. It was a pleasure working with Salman and Kareena in ‘Kyon Ki’. In fact, Kareena and I share the same birthday and we hit it off really well. I did a guest appearance in ‘Garam Masala’ for Priyan sir. It was meant to be a surprise but word leaked out in the media! The other film I am really excited about is ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’ (releasing on 25th November), which has been directed by Vikram Bhatt. It is a glamorous action comedy, which has shaped up really well.

How does it feel to have four men (Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Shahid Kapoor and Suniel Shetty) chasing you in ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’?
(Laughs) Rather flattering, if I may say so! ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’ is a very cute romantic comedy about the extent to which four men (including Paresh Rawal) will go to marry one woman! I am also the only girl in the film so I’m looking forward to its release. It’s a film that’s as commercial as it gets. You’re meant to leave your brains behind and watch it for all its ‘masala’, grandeur, madness and fun!

What is your role in ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’?
I’m playing a simple but confident girl, Natasha, who lives in Dubai. The film is set there. I can’t reveal how the foursome ends up in Dubai but they are all there to look for me.

Is it true that Akshay gets you at the end of ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’?
That’s something you’ll have to watch and find out!

Describe the experience of working with Akshay Kumar?
He’s fun to work with on the sets – it’s my third film with him. Akshay, Salman and Abhishek are my favourite co-stars. All three are the same in nature. Everyone waits to shoot with them. Their presence on the sets means having fun while working. It’s like a picnic

Tell us about the music of ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’?
I love the music – it’s very commercial and catchy. Anu (Malik) has done a great job. ‘Maar Sutiya’ (with Akshay) and ‘Meri Jaane Jigar’ (with Shahid) are my favourites. ‘Maar Sutiya’ is a great dance number whereas the latter is a wonderfully soft romantic track.

Which are your forthcoming films?
After ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’, there is Firoz sir’s ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ with Akshay, Paresh, Suniel and Bipasha. I’m also working on Rohit Shetty’s ‘Golmaal’ with Ajay Devgan, Tusshar Kapoor and Arshad Warsi. I’ve also signed a film with Sriram Raghavan (called ‘Johnny Gadaar’) who made ‘Ek Hasina Thi’. There have been some more good offers coming by but I will only sign them after ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’ releases.

Is there a role you’re dying to play?
I want to play an avenging angel – like Urmila Matondkar in ‘Ek Hasina Thi’ or Madhuri Dixit in ‘Mrityudand’. Even what Rani (Mukerji) did in ‘Black’.


Is there a man in your life?
My career has started on a very encouraging wicket. I’ve done top-notch work and have some more good stuff coming up. So there are no plans of marrying immediately or my career will go for a toss! In any case, I have no man in my life at the moment because I am very fussy when it comes to men. So I’d rather wait patiently before my knight in shining armour comes by! (Smiles) Knowing me, I’ll end up marrying a non-filmi man but not for another five years at least!

What’s your message for your overseas fans?
Everybody should go and watch ‘Deewane Huye Paagal’ on November 25th because it’s a fun film, a mad film. You won’t regret the two and half hours you spent in the theatre. Mazaa aayega!