Wife swapping has become a reality: Paoli Dam

May 1, 2012

Paoli_Dam

She created a stir with the bare back poster in Hate Story. But Bengali beauty Paoli Dam has no qualms about playing bold characters. Paoli will be seen next in Vikram Bhatt's 'Love Games', a film on wife- swapping.

You play a sex worker in Hate Story. Love Games is another bold film. Aren't you uncomfortable doing intimate bold scenes? How did your family react to Hate Story?

No not at all. I knew very well what character I was playing. Hate Story is a bold film so there will be bold scenes in the film. I loved playing Kavya because she is like any girl of today's generation who will take her revenge. In Hate Story, Kavya uses her body to do so. Hate Story has become a success and there have been very positive reviews. People have loved the film and they are not talking about the erotic aspect of the film but my performance. As for my mom, she is my biggest critic but even she loved the film!

After the release of Hate Story, are you riding high on the success? What does success mean to you?

I'm not riding high on success. I have really enjoyed the entire process of shooting for the film. I came from Kolkata to Mumbai and stayed here for three months. I had a lot of fun and success is more like a personal thing. It just feels good that I am being appreciated.

Did you have more friends before you became an actress? Or do you find that people are more interested in becoming your friend now that you've become an actress?

I still have my old friends. They have been there for me from the beginning. But I'm also making new friends and my circle is widening so that feels good too.

The bare back poster controversy is most talked about and your posters were painted blue in Bengal. Were you hurt by these reactions, especially in your homeland?

Frankly, I was not happy and was a bit sad because I had worked so hard on my body. That poster reveals everything: hatred, power and revenge. It was very impactful. But at the same time, I know the censor board is doing its job. There are certain rules that need to be implemented.

You also lost 10 kilos for the role in your first film. Is it essential to be skinny to survive in Bollywood? Any intentions on gaining the weight back on?

I don't think it's essential to be skinny to survive in Bollywood. I lost weight because Vikram Bhatt had a certain look in mind for this character. There are many types of actresses in Bollywood and as long as you look good, you will survive in the industry. I'm putting on a little weight for my next character but let me tell you, maintaing this body is not easy because I'm a foodie. But heroines should be flexible with their bodies.

What if a role demanded you to put on an obnoxious amount of weight, would you accept the role?

I really can't say right now. It all depends on the director, script and character.

What sets Paoli Dam apart from other sexy actresses who have bared before the camera?

Everyone has their own identity and I don't like comparing myself to others because I'm still new in Bollywood. All the others are my seniors. I only focus on giving my 100% to a film because I'm a perfectionist.

Love Games, your next film, is based on 'wife-swapping', an act very much prevalent today. Your thoughts on wife-swapping? Is it a healthy practice?

I have yet to sit with Vikram and decide on the script and my character. I need to research more on the topic as I'm not too familiar with it but I do realize that it has become a reality today.

Will you get typecast in the Bhatt camp or will you move onto working with other directors?

I am very thankful to Vikram Bhatt for giving me Hate Story. I believe in doing all genres of films and would love to work with all directors, producers and actors. I'm a filmaholic and love Bollywood so I wouldn't want to be typecast.

Who do you think will swipe away the female debutant award this year? You or other newcomers like Esha Gupta?

Laughs. You are the first person to ask me this question! I haven't thought about it and I don't really know. All I can say is that I have given my best-performance.

What league of Bengali actresses does Paoli belong to - the commercially successful ones like Bipasha, Rani and Kajol or the arty ones like Nandana and Konkona Sen Sharma?

I don't like to get categorized because I believe I belong to all kinds of cinema.

You have been linked to a few Bengali actors (like Parambrata). Are you dating anyone currently? Do you see yourself dating someone connected to the film industry or outside it?

No I'm happy single. I am not dating anybody and at this point, I cannot comment on who I'd like to date.

How was it working with Vivek Agnihotri in your debut film? Did you enjoy working more with Gulshan Devaiah or Nikhil Dwivedi?

I was very happy to have done my first film with Vivek and couldn't have asked for anything more. Without him, Kavya would not have been possible. He was so encouraging, positive and supportive. He's a very good director. Nikhil is my senior and I had few scenes with him but he was equally supportive. With Gulshan, I had complicated sequences and we worked well together! I also want to thank my dialogue writer Rohit Malhotra for helping me out.

The one actor in Bollywood that you'd really like to romance on screen?

Not one but many! Aamir, Salman, Shahrukh, Ranbir, Emraan and Abhay Deol.

Any crazy fan experience recently?

This was in Kanpur while we were promoting the film. There were so many people screaming my name and people were jumping with joy. They were trying to grab me. It was absolutely crazy and I had to be pulled out of there but I was happy with that experience. It was the sheer thrill of so many people recognizing me.

You have come a long way from doing Bengali Television and cinema to Bollywood. Will you ever return to TV? What about Regional cinema?

I started my career with regional films and have worked with some of the best names in Bengali cinema. But I'm not focusing on TV right now because it requires time and commitment which I won't be able to give at this point. Maybe sometime later but right now its Bollywood for me.


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News Network
April 25,2020

Mumbai, Apr 25: Actor Vidya Balan has decided to donate 1000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to the frontline healthcare staff across India.

In a video message posted on her Facebook page, the actor announced that she is also collaborating with celebrity shout-out platform Tring to raise money for additional 1000 PPE kits.

“In the war against COVID-19 our health care professionals are like our soldiers at the border fighting for our health and freedom. Just like we equip our soldiers for the battle we must do the same with our medical staff. There is a critical shortage of PPE for our senior doctors, residents, nurses and ward boys in their daily work.

“As a result, a lot of our hospitals are not functioning at full capacity. Join me in changing this now. I am donating 1000 PPE ktis to hospital and medical staff across the country. And I am pledging to raise money for another 1000,” she said.

According to a statement issued by the actor’s team, she has joined hands with Tring to provide additional 1000 PPE kits, in association with Manish Mundra of Drishyam Films and photographer-producer Atul Kasbekar.

For donations made through Tring, Vidya will be recognising the support of every donor by sending a personal thank you video message, and a chance for a two-minute video call with her.

Vidya said each PPE kit is worth Rs 650 (all-inclusive of delivery costs and applicable taxes) and it consists of one coverall laminated and waterproof, nitrile gloves, goggles, face shields, 3-ply surgical mask and shoe covers.

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News Network
July 26,2020

A gang has been spreading rumours about me in the Hindi film industry that is preventing him from getting work, says Academy award-winning music director A R Rahman.

Collaborations between him and the Hindi film industry have reduced as a result, he adds

The maestro had composed music for Sushant Singh Rajput's Dil Bechara said that the reason he is not doing a lot of work is that a gang has been spreading rumours about him which resulted in him getting fewer projects.

Rahman's comments come amidst a raging insider versus outsider debate in Bollywood following actor Sushant Singh Rajput's untimely demise last month.

During an interview with Radio Mirchi, the Oscar-winning music director was asked the reason for doing less Hindi films.

Rahman said there has been "misunderstanding" between him and filmmakers as some people have been spreading "false rumours" about him in the industry.

"See, I don’t say no to good movies, but I think there is a gang, which, due to misunderstandings, is spreading some false rumours. So when Mukesh Chhabra came to me, I gave him four songs in two days. He said, 'Sir, how many people said don’t go, don’t go (to him). They told me stories after stories'," he said.

"I heard that, and I said, 'yeah okay, now I understand why I am doing less (work) and why the good movies are not coming to me.' I am doing dark movies, because there is a whole gang working against me, without them knowing that they are doing harm," the composer added.

Rahman has composed the music for Rajput's last movie "Dil Bechara", which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on Friday. The film, directed by Mukesh Chhabra, also features Sanjana Sanghi and Saif Ali Khan.

The composer further said that he is aware of people's expectations from him but the "gang" is getting in his way.

"People are expecting me to do stuff, but there is another gang of people preventing that from happening. It is fine because I believe in destiny. I believe that everything comes from God.

"So, I am taking my own movies and doing my other stuff. But all of you are welcome to come to me. You make beautiful movies, and you are welcome to come to me," Rahman added.

Dubbed ‘Mozart of Madras’, A R Rahman has composed soundtracks for movies like Swades, Dil Se, Guru, Rockstar and more recently Sushant Singh Rajput’s Dil Bechara. 

The composer won two Academy Awards in 2009 for his songs in the popular Hollywood movie, Slumdog Millionaire. The composer also received a Golden Globes Award for his work in this movie.

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Agencies
July 11,2020

New Delhi, Jul 11: The COVID-19 triggered restrictions on cinema exhibition industry have not only disheartened movie goers, but axed several thousand jobs and costed the industry an estimated ₹ 5,000 crore in revenue.

The sector has been one of the hardest hit due to COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions implemented to curb its spread.

Presently, cinemas and multiplexes continue to remain in the list of prohibited activities under the Centre's Unlock 2.0 Guidelines.

In an interview to media persons, movie exhibition major Inox Leisure's Chief Executive Alok Tandon said, "The industry on an average collects about ₹ 1,000 crore a month of 'Box Office' and on an average generates about ₹ 500 crore a month of ancillary revenues."

"Keeping in mind that the lockdown has been effective for more than 100 days now, which is about 3.5 months, the cinema exhibition industry would have accumulated losses worth ₹ 5,000 crore so far."

According to Tandon, associated businesses such as pre and post-production, make-up artistes, graphics, film set fabrication, film crew, events, marketing, F&B services have all been impacted due to the restrictions.

"With the production and exhibition of movies coming to a halt, the industry was bound to witness some job losses," he said without divulging any estimates.

As per industry data, the multiplex industry in India employs more than 200,000 people directly and accounts for nearly 60 % of revenues of the film business.

On the way forward, Tandon elaborated that the industry expects to regain business momentum and sentiment post resumption of operations.

"We believe it will be a matter of a couple of blockbusters, and we will be back to our usual operational numbers," he said.

"We are rightfully relying on the unshakeable passion of the Indian movie lovers, who are yearning to step out and spend time enjoying the giant screen experience."

Furthermore, he cited that industry has sent representation to the Centre for immediate re-commencement of operations and a support package.

"We have requested for financial support in the form of salary subsidies during the lockdown period, interest-free loans for three years, exemptions from various taxes and duties, like 'GST, Show tax, LBETs and Property taxes' for a period of one year from the date of operations, waiver on electricity minimum demand charges for one year and auto renewal of licenses and permits for the next one year," he said.

"We have been talking to our mall developer partners and are working together with them to see through this phase."

However, even after re-commencement, the industry anticipates at least 3-6 months before things return anywhere close to normal.

"The cinema ecosystem is such that we will need all the aspects of the business to swing into action and fire together for us to see a resurgence, and we are highly optimistic about the same," he said.

In terms of global experience, Tandon pointed out that cinemas have started operating in more than 25 major countries, and some of those markets are witnessing a healthy response.

"India is a massive movie market and we are confident that the passionate and responsible movie lovers will turn up in huge numbers to enjoy their favourite form of entertainment and also follow the prevention guidelines at the same time, ensuring a safe and steady revival of the cinema exhibition sector," Tandon said.

The film exhibition industry in India is mainly comprised of single screen and multiplexes.

At present there are around 9,527 cinemas across the country, including 6,327 single and 3,200 multiplex screens.

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