The Hindu : New Delhi News : Very much in love with romance, in tinsel town

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Monday, Oct 29, 2007
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New Delhi

Very much in love with romance, in tinsel town

Madhur Tankha

Photo: Anu Pushkarna

Weaving bigger dreams: Actor Manjari Fadnis in New Delhi. —

New Delhi: Still fresh in the industry, Bollywood actor Manjari Fadnis already has her hands full with several upcoming films and wants to confine herself to romantic comedies in tinsel town. Fadnis is clear that she can give her best only in this genre and has signed a couple of films on the same subject.

During a recent visit to the Capital, Manjari said though her parents were very apprehensive how Bollywood would treat a newcomer, her entry into the film industry was a smooth affair.

“I had an hour-long interview with management guru Arindam Choudhury, who also runs Planman Motion Pictures, for his film. But I wasn’t nervous.”

Finally Manjari landed the role of a bubbly school girl in ‘Rok Sako To Rok Lo’. In the film she got a chance to share the screen with macho hero Sunny Deol. “Sunny kept to himself in the beginning, but later helped he me with my rehearsals. He didn’t give us tips on acting but just observing the senior actor perform before the camera was a learning experience,” says Manjari.

After ‘Rok Sako To Rok Lo’, Manjari took a break for two years during which she studied and groomed herself for the film industry. “I joined Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts that helped my mind to be creatively occupied. I learnt Indo-Jazz dance and shed 7 kg. This helped me to land roles in three movies.”

Manjari has pinned high hopes on Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Mumbai Salsa’ that takes a look at the fast emerging dysfunctional relationships among young corporate executives.

Character

In the film, Manjari essays the character of Maya Chandok, a headstrong corporate executive. “Maya is a perfectionist and knows exactly what she wants in life. All men are scared of her. All the eight main characters have an equally important role in the film. Mumbai Salsa is a pub in Mumbai where the lives of couples change forever. The film cannot go ahead without a single character. Adnan Sami has given soulful music,” says Manjari.

Manjari has also signed a film, ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jane Na’, being produced by Aamir Khan Productions. “Although Aamir is the producer, the film has been directed by Abbas Tyrewala. I play a romantic girl who lives in her own world. I am paired opposite Aamir’s nephew Imran Khan.”

As her father was in the Army, Manjari has been exposed to different cultures and this has helped the actor in her. “I lived in seven different cities and it helped me to understand people better. In school I was an extrovert, who would dance and sing. I would look into the mirror and give myself a situation where I would react if I was made Miss India.”

Manjari had earlier done a Bengali film ‘Faltu’ produced by Planman Motion Pictures and has also signed its upcoming film ‘I’m 21’.

“I can do different kinds of heroine-oriented roles but romantic genre is something that I am most comfortable doing. Television serials do not excite me as they run for one year or even more. As a result, you get frustrated and end up using every emotion. So the role becomes monotonous. I want to experiment in life,” she says.

Besides acting, Manjari also finds time to cook sumptuous dishes. “I am a converted vegetarian. Although I am not a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals but would like to become one.”

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