Making people laugh is not everyone's cup of tea - Tanushree Dutta

Tanushree Dutta does not believe in giving up. Although she failed miserably in her attempt to make people laugh in Good Boy Bad Boy, she is willing to try again with her new project, Dhol. She teams up with Tushar Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Kunal Khemu and Sharman Joshi this time. Will she succeed?

Q. You said you are playing a simple girl in Dhol. The promos promise us something else.
A. A promo is meant to promote a film. It is made keeping the business of the film in mind. My character in this film is that of a simple girl living with her grandparents in a small town. She is rich, but rides a scooter. However, the film introduces me coming out of a fancy car.

Q. You are sharing screen space with four heroes. How do you feel?
A. I am okay with it. It has been the same with all my films. I had three heroes in my last film, now I have four, maybe I will have five in my next.

Q. Payal Rohtagi is also a part of Dhol. Are you insecure with her bombshell image?
A. Not at all. Why should I be afraid of her? A film presents many characters, all with varying roles. I am the leading lady, and she is playing another character in the film. I have the maximum scenes with the four heroes, and I do not share much screen space with her.

Q. This is the first time you are working with a veteran actor, Om Puri. Have you asked him for tips?
A. When we work with any senior artiste, we get a chance to learn a lot. Besides Om Puri, there is also Tiku Talsania, and another senior artiste, who plays my grandmother. I did not have long conversations with them, but I observed them closely during the shoot.

Q. What would you like to say about Priyadarshan as a director? What is it like working with him?
A. I am always happy working with him. He has this specialty of placing actors in roles that suit them, whether it is my small role in Bhagam Bhaag, or the leading one in this film. I like his serious films as well. Virasat is my all-time favourite, and I can remember each dialogue. I would be proud to be a part of such a great film, if Priyan Sir decides to make one in the future. I hope Dhol will be a memorable film in his body of work.

Q. Will people laugh at you after watching the film?
A. I am the central character, with whom the story progresses. The four heroes want to marry me because of my money. Their repeated attempts to woo me will make people laugh.

Q. Any memorable moment during the shooting?
A. Yes, I remember, when all the four heroes had to give a shot, the other members of the crew would leave whatever they were doing to watch them in action. They would all gather around and start laughing. I used to sit at a distance and watch them, laughing loudly myself. I used to laugh at the events of the day long after pack up!

Q. What do you think is easier – laughing, or making people laugh?
A. If the person making you laugh cannot do his job properly, even laughing would be tough. I think making others laugh is difficult, because we do not know the sense of humour of the person watching us. If the writer and the director know what they are doing, then you do not have to think too much. As far as making people laugh in real life is concerned, it is even tougher, since it is not everyone's cup of tea.

Q. Which role has been the closest to the real Tanushree?
A. It is not possible for me to name any film. In every film, I leave a little of my personality. If there is a movie on me, then it would be a different thing. I have not really seen the real Tanushree in any of my movies.

Q. Do you put in an extra effort to make a comic situation funnier?
A. No. I act in accordance with my writer and director. Some actors are known as kings of comedy, but it is different with me. Maybe I will change the way I approach a role, after I have acted in a few more films.

Q. We believe you have signed Ashim Samanta's Don Mutthu Swami?
A. Who is this Ashim Samanta? I have not signed any such film.

Q. Have you signed any other film?
A. Yeah, but it is too early to talk about them.

-Rajnee Gupta (SAMPURN)