A New York State of Mind

LARA DUTTA TALKS ABOUT HER NEW FILM AND BALANCING FAMILY LIFE WITH WORK

MOTHERHOOD may have taken priority for Lara Dutta in recent years, but she hasn’t disconnected herself from her creative passions and is back on the big screen in this week’s big Bollywood release Welcome To New York, a colourful comedy set at the IIFA awards.  

The beauty queen turned actress is a part of an ensemble cast and re­turns to her favourite comedy genre in the story of an everyday couple who finds themselves in a star-stud­ded cinematic world.  

The star cast includes Diljit Dos­anjh, Boman Irani, Sonakshi Sinha, Ritesh Deshmukh, Karan Johar and a whole host of cameos, including from Salman Khan. Lara is also look­ing forward to judging a reality TV show and is planning to produce in­teresting films.  

Eastern Eye caught up with the actress to talk about her time in the spotlight, Welcome To New York, comedy, inspirations, being a work­ing mum and more.  

Today how do you look back on your journey in the spotlight?  

(Laughs) It has been some journey, so I am looking back quite a long way. It’s been fun and if I had a chance to do everything over again, I would do it exactly the same. It has been an exciting adventure with its ups and downs. Lots of lessons learned along the way. But yes it has been quite a ride and one that I am proud of.  

You have a lot of fans. Why don’t you do more films?  

(Laughs) I have slowed down a little bit and think I am allowed a let up now and then, but of course my priorities in life now are a little different. I have a daughter I focus on, but apart from that, I am look­ing to do different things within the business. I did turn producer with Challo Dilli not long ago, but I had my daughter very soon after, so I kind of put that on the backburner. But we have had an exciting two years of putting projects together and have an excellent slate for 2018. Whether or not you see me in front of the camera, you will definitely hear a lot more from me, the company we have and stuff we are doing in the next year.  

What did you like about Welcome To New York?  

I wasn’t give a script or anything like that. I have a very long association with the IIFAs, so it was about coming together and having a lot of fun with the entire film fraternity. It was like one big family. So the screenplay, role and story were secondary. The first bit was just that it sounded like a fun project. The script was fun and completely mad when I heard it. It was even more fun and chaotic when we were shooting it. Now I hear it will released in 3D, which we didn’t know when we were filming it. (Laughs) Like they say in a comedy film, they have completely lost the plot and it is great.  

So you were just having fun on this project?  

I think that is the most important thing, Asjad. As actors, when you are having fun on a job where you are entertaining audiences, it becomes so much easier, especially when it comes to comedy. If you finish a film and feel, ‘wow, that went fast and I didn’t have to struggle with it’, I think it’s a job well done. The main mission is to entertain audiences.  

What is it like working in a movie with an ensemble cast like this?  

I think it has its pros and cons. But largely this was an opportunity for the entire film fraternity to come together, let their hair down and just have fun.  

I did have a character to play in the large ensem­ble cast. In this film, pretty much every actor is es­sentially playing themselves. Only Sonakshi (Sin­ha), Diljit (Dosanjh), Boman (Irani) and I are play­ing characters. (Laughs) Oh and half of Karan (Jo­har). Sticking to a character is chal­lenging when everyone has the leeway to be themselves and are having a laugh at their own ex­pense. But you are holding the scene together, which is moving the narrative for­ward. The excellent part is there wasn’t a minute where anyone felt in­secure about how big their role was. Eve­ryone who came on board loved the script and said they want to be a part of this.  

How does comedy com­pare to oth­er genres?  

I have tried different genres, but I have to say I am more par­tial to com­edy. (Laughs) Also maybe because I am good at it. I don’t find it less challenging, but I do find it less draining than a drama, thriller or a horror. Also with comedy, it is difficult if you don’t have comic timing, but it’s a blessing for me because that is one of my strengths as an actor. That is why I enjoy it so much more. Comedy al­lowed me to show another side of me to audiences and allowed me to be myself, and not just be typecast in a sort of a glamorous role. It has allowed me to be a little bit of a goofball and given me the ability to find my footing in the industry.  

What do you like about New York spe­cifically as a destination?  

I love it. I once lived in New York for three years and I always say visiting the city and living there are two com­pletely different things. Apart from the energy, you could be anybody, have a chance to make it there and just be exactly who you are. So I think it is a city that really cele­brates individuality. You can be gifted in any field and it gives you the opportunity to recognise that talent, and really celebrate it. That is my favour­ite thing about New York.  

You are doing different creative things, but what inspires you?  

In terms of our production house, we have some incredible stories lined up. We have picked up the rights to different books and lives of some amazing people. So doing or making films that are high on content, but at the same time based on real events and ones people can relate to, really inspires me. That is the cinema I have been drawn to.  

You are also stepping into the judge’s chair for an up­coming reality TV show?  

Yes and I am really excited about it because I have never done something like that before. I think it is amazing because it gives me the opportunity to connect with a mass audi­ence directly; otherwise we do films where we connect with characters that we are playing. Then the film connects with the audience, so we never get a chance to connect directly with the masses.

How have you managed to balance motherhood with work?  

(Laughs) It is not easy. There are definitely days where I wish I could have done better, but I don’t think I am doing too badly. I think the most important thing is to cut yourself some slack and not be so hard on yourself. As women we are very hard on ourselves. We are constantly striving to be the perfect mum, wife, daughter and worker. Sometimes when you are wearing all those hats, it can get exhausting, but the important thing is to acknowledge the people in your life who provide support, which I definite­ly couldn’t do without. Like the family who support me in every way they can. You get up and do the best you can every day. Some days you may not hit that mark, but it’s absolutely okay. (Laughs) I like to think 90 per cent of the time I am doing okay.  

Finally, why should we watch Welcome To New York?  

You will see most of Bollywood in one film. (Laughs) Normally actors don’t like it when people make fun of them, but right here they are taking their pants off to make you laugh. It’s a fun joy ride about every day people landing up in the big world of Bollywood with their favourite movie stars. It gives you an insight into what that world is like and how crazy it can get, but it’s a lot of fun and people should go watch the film.  

Welcome To New York is in cinemas now.