Amrita Rao on the set of Mahadev Ka Sajjanpur shooting for a music video at Cinevista Studios, Kanjurmarg, Mumbai on January 31, 2008. Photo Credit: Sawf NewsJuly 10, 2008 (Sawf News) - Amrita Rao, a heady blend of beauty, talent and style, who thrives on good cinema and straddles its commercial and art forms with equal ease, spoke exclusively to Sawf News about her upcoming film directed by Shyam Benegal - Mahadev Ka Sajjanpur.
Amrita, 27, gained a lot of industry attention by winning the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award for her performance in Sooraj Barjatya's blockbuster Vivah (2006) opposite Shahid Kapoor.
Amidst those that Amrita impressed was veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, known for his ability to create engaging cinema using talented actors playing real life roles. Benegal, whose Hindi films have won the National Film Award an unprecedented seven times, has picked Amrita for his next film, Mahadev Ka Sajjanpur.
A file photo of Amrita Rao and Shyam Benegal on the set of Mahadev ka Sujjanpur, January 31, 2008. Photo Credit: Sawf NewsAmrita, had a hard time containing her excitement as she recounted her experience of working with Benegal.
"Right now, I am all keyed up about Mahadev Ka Sajjanpur with Shyam Benegal. What's more exciting is I am working in the company of fine actors like Shreyas Talpade, Raajeshwari, Ravi Kisen, Ila Arun, Ravi Jhankal and Yashpal Sharma. I am also more excited because I am going to be a part of Shyam Benegal's profile which consists of big names like Shabana Azmi, Rekha, Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Karishma Kapoor and that gives me a high."
Amrita has always looked upon herself as an actor not a star, so the decision to sign up for Mahadev Ka Sajjanpur was a no brainer.
"It just took one call from Mr. Benegal for me to say yes, I didn't even read the script. At this stage of my career, which is just six years old, I am thrilled to be working with a director like Shyam Benegal."
Amrita's association with Benegal is likely to span more than on film, as was the case with stars like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil.
"He is considering me for his next venture but it's too early to talk about it. The film is still in its initial stages. I have not read the script too. Shyam Benegal is an excellent director and I would definitely like to work with him again."
Though she did not want to get into details of her role in Mahadev Ka Sajjanpur, Amrita told us enough to get us excited.
Amrita Rao and Shreyas on the set of Mahadev ka Sujjanpur. Photo Credit: Sawf News"I can't really reveal much about my role. The film is a comedy, which has been entirely shot in sync sound. I had to work hard on the dialect of the film. It is more situational and not frivolous kind of comedy, but it is a hardcore commercial film with different kind of sensibilities. The treatment is so different that I feel I have evolved as an actor. It has been a tremendous experience. At this point of career, it is a prestigious film for me."
Amrita's co-star, Shreyas Talpade, doesn't have too many fans and not many Bollywood stars would admit to being his admirers. But Amrita had no such qualms.
"This is the first time I am working with him but I have been a huge fan of his work. He has this great ability to make you like him. As a performer, he is just spontaneous. He is so creative and that is his strongest quality."
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