Talent is more important than looks: Minissha

Bollywood actors Boman Irani, Minissha Lamba and Samir Dattani braved the sun to be a part of a cause worth fighting for – water conservation, in an event organised by Zee News. More than promoting their film ‘Well Done Abba’, which apparently talks about water crisis and inability of the government to preserve water, the actors looked all primed to create awareness for the invaluable natural resource.The beautiful Minissha Lamba, who has given a riveting performance in ‘Well Done Abba’, took time off to speak to Bikas Bhagat of Spicezee.com on the kind of movies being made in Bollywood, her criteria for selection of films and of course her dream role!

Bikas: Whom do you identify with in real life - Soniya of ‘Kidnap’ or Adda of ‘Yahaan’? Minissha: Well, I would say it’s my real self that I relate to in life. Eventually, the roles that are etched for us actors are fictional and there is little connection with the character you are essaying onscreen. However, the role of ‘Muskaan’ that I am playing in this movie ‘Well Done Abba’ is very close to the person I am in real life. Bikas: What is the most important aspect of a film? Minissha: The script of a film is my utmost priority whenever I select a film. Today cinema has changed so much. The films are being written keeping in mind the global taste that the audiences have acquired of late. People do not want movies on stale concepts anymore. I am always attracted to movies, which are a cut above the rest. Bikas: How was it working with Shyam Benegal? Minissha: Benegal sir is a maestro; he is an institution in himself. Just look at his work -‘Ankur’, ‘Nishant’, ’Junoon’, ‘Zubeida, they are all such exceptional pieces of work. All I can say is that the moment I got a call from Shyam sir and he said that he had a role for me in his next film; I was ecstatic. I was willing to do any role he offered. And when someone like Shyam Benegal is calling, you don’t really have to read the script. And I will tell you that it was such an experience working with him. He has his own style. He understands the process of filmmaking better than anyone else in the industry. At first I was a little scared but once we started shooting, he turned out to be a really calm, jovial and humorous person. We never saw him upset on the sets Bikas: What about the character you are playing in the movie? Minissha: O yes…as I said earlier that the role of ‘Muskaan’ has a lot in common with what I am in real life. But still, this is something I have never done before. I play someone who is not the stereotypical village girl. She is bold, confident and lives life on her own terms. Bikas: ‘Well Done Abba’ has already won a lot of international acclaim at various film festivals. What are your expectations of it on the domestic front? Minissha: The issue that we have raised in this film is a very pressing one. It needs immediate attention. Water shortage is a crucial problem and innovative ways should be tried to tackle this problem before it becomes too big an issue to confront. We took it to Montreal and London film festivals so that it gets much-needed attention from critics all over the world. And in India, I’m pretty sure that a comedy with a social message will be liked by the masses. So I’d like to believe that ‘Well Done Abba’ will be successful film here as well. Bikas: Can we say Minissha is very experimental – from giving bikini shots to playing conservative roles? Minissha: Not conservative, rather they are more contemporary. It’s the kind of role you do which defines your acting skills. My look in `Kidnap`, helped open a whole new and different range of opportunities for me. It is something I cherish. Being good looking is important, but not always. You need talent as well. If you have talent, people accept you regardless of the way you look. Bikas: How about your dream role? Minissha: (Smiles) I want to do an all out romantic role, very much on the lines of Kajol in DDLJ.