Not so long ago, Neha Dhupia was known as a sex symbol. Of late the former Miss India has been exploring new ground with smaller, independent films like Delhi Heights, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local and Rajat Kapoor’s soon-to-be-released Mithya to connect with young, hip city audiences. Shilpi Madan chats up with the actress who is making some unusual career moves
Neha Dhupia’s Bollywood trajectory shows interesting variation. She made her debut as the clichéd heroine in the action drama, Qayamat: City Under Threat. She earned the sex-symbol tag for her bare-all act in Julie, followed by slapstick comedies like Kyaa Kool Hai Hum and Garam Masala. But the former Miss India got noticed for her performance in Ek Chalis Ki Last Local. Verve talks to the model-turned-actress about her choice of roles.
Do you think Bollywood is finally opening its arms to the multiplex film culture?
It’s a phenomenon that has just come in now. Let’s face it. Without taking any names, I want to point out that this year some of the biggest banners have produced mega starrers that have been complete duds and then there are small-budget films like Bheja Fry and Khosla Ka Ghosla that have done great business. Of course, there is an undeniably huge audience that is receptive to these films as well. So it is a converse relationship. The movies fare well at the box office and also win rave reviews. This drives the directors and producers to make more such films that have interesting scripts.
Shilpi Madan in conversation with Neha Dhupia
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