Remind her of her famous swimsuit magazine covers
and she gets upset. "I was only sixteen then, today my
priorities have changed", she protests. The shift in
priorities is in more ways than one. Lisa was skeptical about
doing films at one time. Twice before she had signed films and
backed out. Apparently she is, or so she claims right now,third
time certain. She's shooting for Vikram Bhatt's new film in which
she plays a lawyer. Covered from head to toe, she's enjoying this
new avatar immensely while perfecting the make-up on her otherwise
flawless face. She speaks candidly about her much-delayed foray
into films.
You have been offered so many bigger films earlier. What
made you decide on Vikram Bhatt's films?
I
never had any intentions of doing films. But I guess things
changed for me, it was a combination of many factors that made me
take up the film. Vikram is a great director, he's young and we
communicate on the same level. For me that's important. The entire
unit is very young and enthused and the story is very interesting.
But still, at the end of the day, it was just instincts that led
me to do this film. There were many bigger films with top heroes
offered to me, but I must say I'm very happy and much more
comfortable as I feel that this is a right choice. Aftab is doing
well and he's very enthusiastic and I feel much more relaxed
working with someone new as compared to an established hero right
now.
So now that films have become a full-time career for you is
it bye to TV and modeling?
It's not that I'm jumping into the whole arena now. It's very
difficult to say whether I will or will not do more films at this
stage in my life. I don't want to commit myself either way. But I
have no intentions of jumping into the mainstream film world fully
because I'm very happy with my other advertisement, television and
modeling work. Films are a very time-consuming profession, so I
don't think I will get into them full time. I will continue doing
everything else that I am already doing. I don't see myself as a
full-time film actress.
Does seeing models like Aishwarya, Sushmita and Namrata
doing well in films comfort you?
I'm very happy for them but none of them are examples or
motivations for me. My motivations have always come from within
me. Just because they are successful is not reason enough for me
to join films.
Did Vikram Bhatt insist that you take some sort of formal
training as an actress?
No, not at all. But I had already done all sorts of classes much
before. When I was doing Sanjay Dutt's film a couple of years
back, I had already attended acting, dancing and action classes
then. And Vikram did not see it necessary for the role. I do
everything my director tells me to do because I have complete
faith in Vikram. Because I'm completely new to the line, I rely
totally on my director and the unit around me.
What are you going to do about your English accent?
I will
definitely work on my accent but right now I am only concentrating
on the filming. See, I do speak Hindi, I understand the language
perfectly, so it's not such a big problem. My accent is slightly
anglicised but it's not an issue at this stage of the film. Right
now, I have to perform, be good at my expressions in the scenes.
So, I'm coping pretty well. I don't have a major language problem
at all. You have to understand, I'm also a first-time actress.
Every aspect of filmmaking is new to me.
Even today, your Gladrags pin-up girl image is so strong in
people's minds. How does this feel?
That is there but then isn't being glamorous a requirement for any
Hindi film actress as well? I definitely think so and I also
strongly believe that I'm not only glamorous but I also have
brains. My role in Vikram Bhatt's film is not externally glamorous
so I can't say what people feel about me. But I've been receiving
all kinds of roles to perform as an actress in films.
Does the sex-symbol tag ever get to you?
Do you really think that's all I'm known for? I think I've moved
beyond it and I've managed to evolve and now I am accepted as a
versatile model who can deliver the goods. That's my victory. I've
broken the stereotype image in people's minds.
You've always interspaced your professional life with long
personal absences. Do you think this sort of erratic temperament
will work in Hindi films?
I did it out of will. Out of choice, I took a year off from work
at my peak as a model. I went to Canada even while tons of offers
were pouring in. I could have made a lot of money, but I didn't. I
refused all work for one full year. Frankly, I've always played by
my own rules. There has been no set pattern in anything I've done
so far in my life. My instincts and happiness have always ruled my
mind and my decisions. I've always gone by my gut feeling and till
date, I've not regretted anything. But right now I'm at a stage
where I'm enjoying my work. For the very first time, I'm treating
my work seriously as a profession, which I never did earlier. Then
I was too young and immature and I wasn't even settled in India.
Now, I've finally taken a decision. I live here and my complete
life is here now. My parents have come here from Canada and they
live with me. And also, I've decided to take my work seriously. My
choice to work again is entirely mine and I've been lucky enough
to stay on top the whole time. I feel that's happened because I've
always re-invented myself with changing times and because I'm not
over-exposed.
Who among the current generation of actors do you admire?
I watch only good films' because there are a whole lot of crappy
Hindi movies made. I liked Aishwarya in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,
I've always liked Kajol's performances. I like Ajay Devgun as an
actor and I admire Aamir Khan's work a lot. I saw Kaho Na Pyar Hai
and honestly I think it was just OK. Nothing to write home about.
Films like Split Wide Open and Hyderabad Blues suit my
sensibilities much more. I'd like to work in such movies too.
How has the industry in general reacted to you?
I've always been detached from the film industry so I haven't
really looked around for reactions and opinions. I'm very happy
with the work I'm doing that's it.
