Lisa Ray: Expanding Horizons
She's half-Indian, half-Polish; but 100 per cent attractive. Gorgeous Lisa Ray has been a top-notch model for most of the last decade: she endorses Lakme and is the ambassador for Rado watches. And now Ms Ray is exhibiting typical model behaviour by tip-toeing into the world of Hindi films — albeit, in her case, with an author-backed role in Vikram Bhatt's suspense thriller, Kasoor opposite Aftab Shivdasani.
Meeting Lisa is quite a revelation. She defies conventional straitjacketing as she turns out to be much more Indian and much less the air-headed model than I had expected.
Excerpts of an interview with her:
How does it feel to have 'movie actress' added to your resume?
(Laughs). It's not hit me as yet, so it's not something larger-than-life for me. What I do feel is that it has been a wonderful experience, where I've been able to push myself professionally, and where I've even evolved somewhat as a person.
What are you playing in Kasoor?
I know everyone says that my film and my role are the greatest, but I'll tell you why my role in Kasoor is genuinely exciting. For the first time, or at least after a very long time, there is a strong female central character in our films. I play a young, professional, independent woman, the likes of which are not typically seen in a Hindi commercial film format. I am playing a lawyer in the film and I take on the case of a man (Aftab Shivdasani) who is accused of murdering his wife. It's a suspense thriller, so I can't give away anything else.
Most models, indeed most actresses, begin with a peripheral, song-and-dance role. Was it difficult for you to plunge straight into a central role?
I probably would have felt a lot more out of place, if I was singing and dancing and skipping away without having anything else to do. I think I was considered for the role because my sensibilities match with that of my character. Besides, everyone was so supportive and we knew we were doing something different, so it wasn't really so tough for me.
Did you like performing?
I'm quite convinced that Vikram Bhatt can make anyone act. See, I'm not trained in acting (I'm very comfortable in front of the camera — but that's two different things actually.). I was very fortunate to have a director of Vikram's calibre, who literally draws out a performance from an actor. He explains the emotional context of a scene in such a way that you can't help but feel the same way as your character. The first time I realised I had actually performed, it was amazing. It was a very emotional scene and I managed to cry throughout the shot without any glycerine. As soon as the shot was over, everyone was like 'Great shot'; but then they in a very matter of fact manner moved on to lighting the next shot. But I was sitting there feeling completely shattered, and wanting a little attention and caring. So acting is very exhilarating, but also totally draining.
You said acting also helped you evolve as a person. How was that?
Acting is therapeutic. In the process of expressing such intense emotions, I went into certain areas of myself that I hadn't explored in a long time. I drew upon certain memories and experiences, which I had pushed into a closet. I discovered that you can't bury things. I was the kind of person who kept looking ahead, never glanced back. I thought that was the right thing to do — turns out it may not be the case. So through acting, I discovered certain ways of coping with life.
Can you give me an example when performing was like therapy?
It was as a result of a very serious car accident some years back, that I found myself back in India, and modelling. It was a very traumatic part of my life. My mother was very badly injured, and to she is still in a wheelchair, because of the accident. But perhaps, I hadn't fully exorcised myself of those feelings of tragedy. I'm basically introverted, and also I felt that I had to be strong for my family at that time. So I never explored those emotions; the great sense of grief that I felt. But while doing the film, I finally allowed myself to draw upon my past and face the sadness; while of course keeping the story's context in mind.
Do you see yourself doing more films?
I found the Kasoor experience very positive, but I'm also realistic about the fact that not many of these kind of films get made. And that there are not many set-ups in commercial Hindi films where I would feel comfortable. I'll give you just a small example of a director who couldn't communicate with me in a language that I could relate to, and by that I don't mean English or Hindi, but the need for a certain common wavelength. But I do hope that I can seek out people with similar sensibilities, because I'd love to work in more films.
How fluent are you in Hindi?
I understand it perfectly, but my diction leaves a lot to be desired — there's no doubt about that. Obviously, it's no secret that I don't think in Hindi, and that I'm not completely fluent in it. I'm not dubbing my voice at this point of time, but in the future I hope to do so.
Why aren't you doing the Hrithik-Esha-Saif film, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum anymore?
I walked out of that film after the first day's shooting, because I felt a little uncomfortable.
Everyone talking of the hot scene you have done with Aftab in Kasoor.
I've no idea why everyone is saying that. I'm sorry to disappoint everyone, but there is no such hot scene.
By your standards or by Hindi film standards?
(Shrieks) I'm an Indian. I don't understand why there should be a differentiation. I myself am very conservative at heart.
When you began modelling, you had quite a sexy image. Is that continued in Kasoor?
Not at all. And none of the work I do is an extension of that either. Even my modelling is not at all similar to what I did earlier. Not that I regret anything I did earlier, but I've evolved and changed.
Tell us about your background.
I grew up in Toronto, Canada. It's absurd and there's no way you can explain it, but I've always felt that I belong in India. We used to come to India for vacations. In fact, my father's family are very orthodox Bengalis living in Calcutta, and I've been heavily steeped in our culture. I didn't grow up here, but in spirit I've always been a part of India.
Of late, there has been a contingent of NRI's trying to make it in the entertainment world. What do you think attracts them to India?
I've no idea, because I think I was the first (laughs). As far as my break goes, I I was approached while I was here on a vacation. I was only 16 then.
Are you ambitious?
I'm ambitious, but not competitive. I've done things that I'm not supposed to. For a year, I went completely underground. I did it to prove to myself that I could detach myself. Also, people perceive you as an image. Full stop. So I needed to detach myself and get some perspective. I came out with the realisation that there was a lot more I could do with my life. But luckily for me, instead of having to change professions, I was able to incorporate that into my profession.
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