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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