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Making SENSE
BHAWNA SATSANGIBHAWNA SATSANGI
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A challenging new role could redefine Sushmita Sen's career
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Photo:Sampath Kumar
Sushmita Sen
AS A raunchy number plays in the background, a spirited woman draped in red with oily plaits and gaudy makeover dances seductively to the music. Surprise, it is Sushmita Sen! Well, Sushmita fans will now see her in a new avatar. After the sexy Chandani in Main Hoon Na, she plays a prostitute in Kalpana Lajmi's Chingari. With many substantial roles coming her way, it seems like she will soon join the league of acclaimed actresses in the film industry.
Chingari is the story of an alcoholic father who sells his 16-year-old daughter. It's the journey of a girl, says Sushmita. "I play a prostitute who leads the women of a small village in Bihar in their revolt against male oppression and helps create awareness about the importance of education. For the first time, I have tried to speak Bhojpuri in a film; it was difficult for me. It's the most challenging role I have ever done. I cried a lot during the shoots as some of the scenes are very touching. Somewhere that girl Basanti exists in me... she is very much my kind of woman. Basanti has shades of Kali and Durga. And I worship both."
Difficult role
Playing the role of a prostitute was not easy, admits the actor. "I found it difficult to use abusive language. But I always wanted to do this kind of a role." For Sushmita, the director and the script should work for each other and both are equally important. "Kalpana Lajmi is known to make meaningful films so I was sure Chingariwould be different. There are a lot of films on prostitution, which go into unnecessary details. But this one is short and crisp and at the same time, gives you the true picture."
Talking about actors turning brand ambassadors, Sushmita says: "Celebrity endorsement is not a new concept, it has been happening for years. But these days, both actors and the companies have become selective, which is good. The endorsement offers should be personality-based and not be influenced by an actor's box office success."
Indian version
Sushmita is also excited about her latest release, Harry Baweja's Main Aisa Hi Hoon, based on I Am Sam. "I am playing a lawyer and for the first time you will find me wearing Tag Heuer watch all through the movie." She adds: "Ajay Devgan is impressive in the film. I play the character of Michelle Pfeiffer. The Indian version is a thousand times better than the Hollywood original."
Somebody who believes that cinema is about imitating life, Sushmita says though she is not comfortable about endorsing a brand in films, she doesn't mind doing so if it gels with the character she is playing.
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