I
didn't get good marks to get into a medical college and I did not
want my father to pay a donation, so I just finished my BSC in life
sciences. Then I signed some films down south and last year I did
around nine films in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu."
Then
this is your first Hindi film?
Isha:
Actually, technically my first Hindi film was 'Fiza', but that was
only a special appearance as Karisma's friend. So I'd say 'Pyaar
Ishq Aur Mohabbat' ('PIAM') is my debut. I did 'Fiza' because I know
the producers very well. They even warned me that the role was very
small and that no other actress was willing to do it. They needed
someone who could act well and looked good too. So I agreed, because
I think now the age of being typecast is gone.
How
did you clinch the role in 'PIAM'?
Isha:
Rajiv had already done the casting for 'PIAM' and he told me that
we'd work together another time. But as he finished the second or
third draft of the film, the role just happened. It started off with
just 2-3 scenes and then just kept getting bigger. I told Rajiv I
wanted to work with him, and he agreed. And I guess he was pretty
happy with the way I performed and so he really went out of his way
to weed my character into the script to such an extent that now it's
become a full fledged role, though it's definitely not as meaty as
that of Keerti Reddy
Tell
us a little about your role in the film.
Isha:
I play an NRI, a very bubbly girl, very full of life but not
interested in relationships, men, or affairs. She is studying in an
American school and she is a friend of Keerti, who's happens to get
a scholarship and comes to Glasco University. The film is about
these three guys who fall in love with her and how each of them
finds their soul mate in the end. I won't reveal who gets Keerti
because that will be letting out the climax.
How
was it working with Rajiv Rai?
Isha:
Amazing. It's one of the best units I've worked with so far. Rajiv
is a gem of a person and a thorough gentleman who knows how to deal
with people. He ensures that everybody is given equal footage.
'Everybody' means even junior artistes who are in a particular frame
at that time, even the people from Glasco. He does not discriminate
between his artistes.
Isn't
it true that people are very impressed with Rajiv abroad as well?
Isha:
Yes, Rajiv is very big in Europe. That's also because he's settled
in London. And as far as making a film is concerned, Rajiv is very
good with publicity. He is known for that. Even before the film
starts, people know that Rajiv Rai is making a film. In fact, when
we went to shoot there, people were ready to interview us! Even
before I'd shot my first scene! So I asked Rajiv what the hell was I
going to tell them? I didn't know anything about the film. I was
just doing the film because it was a Rajiv Rai banner.
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