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Milind, once more!

ANUJ KUMAR speaks to Milind Soman, who is out to try his luck at the box office again

PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

SATISFIED! A happy marriage and a couple of films keep Milind Soman occupied.

Milind Soman is in news again. Yet to deliver a hit, recently, his Valley of Flowers was showcased in the Capital and another film Katputtli is ready for release. Shot in Japan and Ladakh, Valley of Flowers has been panned by critics as a cocktail of sex and spirituality. Milind says he is satisfied with his performance in the film. "I agree the writer has taken liberties by incorporating too many sub plots which might be confusing for some. We should not forget that it's an international film meant for a global audience."

Next in line is Katputtli, produced by friend Mink, who has turned producer with this film. "No, it's not just for friendship. If you see my career graph, most of my films are with newcomers. It has an unusual script, where I am playing a doctor. It's about people who manipulate other's lives according to their goals. Most of the times Hindi cinema shows characters as good or evil, there is nothing in between. Here all the characters are grey or one can say real."

Laid-back

At a time when more and more models are being welcomed in Bollywood, Milind, admittedly a laid-back man says he doesn't go asking for work. "I need too much time for myself. I am also busy with my production house." After the moderate success of Rules-Pyar Ka Superhit Formula, he is ready with Phir Zindagi. "The film has been ready for long but I was not satisfied with the background score, so we changed it. It is a happy love story, which starts on a sad note when the protagonist, played by Gul Panag, tries to commit suicide. I am playing the man on the beach, very close to what I am like in real life." Milind shares he is also working on an international project with a French production house.

Then for the first time he is also working in a Tamil film. "It is called Silanvhi. I am playing the negative lead. I learnt just a smattering of Tamil so that lip sync doesn't go awry."

Once India's top model, he hasn't done an assignment for 10 years. "Most can't pay me my amount. And the rest, like the cigarette, pan masala and soft drinks, I don't want to promote."

His space is still vacant. "You don't get supermodels easily and this is a global phenomenon. Has anybody really replaced Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell?"

Meanwhile, Milind has also got married to his Valley of Flowers co-star French actress Myelene Jampanoi.

And marrying at 40? Does anything still surprise him? "Well, why not. Within days, I have realised living as a husband-wife is a completely different experience, no matter for how long you have been living in or sharing spaces. As for my age I am only looking at the advantages. I feel I am more mature to handle a relationship."

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