She’s sexy and she knows it. But she also knows that she’s not the sort who’ll set the ramp on fire. Huma Qureshi’s sexiness stems from her curves and a sense of being comfortable with them. In a world dominated by porcelain beauties and designer friendly bodies, she balances the equation in favour of nature. Women were always meant to be curvaceous. And they don’t come any hotter in that department than the young and bubbly Miss Qureshi. Hers has been the journey from the aroma of piping hot kebabs back in hometown Delhi to Chanel’s latest body splash. In the process she’s made sure that the scent of a beautiful Indian woman doesn’t get lost. That she takes on challenging roles with risqué twists only adds to her uniqueness. She fits into rustic characters and stylish ones with consummate ease. Here’s Huma Qureshi… unapologetic, unpretentious and unpredictable…
What made you accept Badlapur, a guy-centric film?
I did Badlapur only for director Sriram Raghavan. He’s fabulous. I enjoyed watching Johny Gaddar and Ek Hasina Thi. Yes, Badlapur is a guy-centric film. It’s about revenge between two men and how it affects all around them. My character Jhimli is a sex worker. She’s the link between the good and the bad. I enjoyed playing a grey character. A good film benefits all. I’ve never done films just for commercial success. I’ve done them for creative satisfaction.
How was it working with Varun Dhawan?
We debuted in the same year with different films, he with Student Of The Year (SOTY) and me with Gangs Of Wasseypur (GOW). There was no commonality between us. But I found him to be hardworking and spontaneous. He creates hulchul the minute he arrives. His energy is infectious. He hugs everyone. He has great work ethics. I keep telling him that he could have done those candyfloss chocolate boy roles all his life and been successful. But he dared to do a film like Badlapur and put himself out there.
Don’t you want to do regular masala films?
I love masala films. I have grown up watching masala films. But today they have little soul. And what is a masala film? It has romance, dance, action… In GOW, I played Mohsina who is full on Madhuri Dixit. An actor should not be a slave to any genre. I’m grateful that filmmakers thought I could do justice to their vision. I’d hate to be in a film where I was wasted. Just because my contemporaries are doing certain kind of films, it’s not that I must do them. I’m not insecure. I’m not in the rat race. Insecurity is the worst thing for an actor. It’s crazy because there is always someone who is better than you. You should put on blinkers and concentrate on your work. I’m proud of GOW, Luv Shav Tey Chicken Khurrana, Ek Thi Dayan, D Day and Dedh Ishqiya. But I hope I’m offered a comedy. That’s the real me.
What was an eye-opener after coming into the industry?
How much hard work it is yaar! I believed actresses were so pampered. Of course there are huge perks too. But there is no time out. You are constantly promoting, shooting, traveling… There is little ‘me’ time. I used to think sirf make-up lagana hota hai. But I’m not complaining.
Coming from a conservative Muslim family, was it difficult convincing your father to enter films?
Yes. My father thought I had gone mad. He thought I should be doing something better in life. They tried to convince me to do MBA. Not just for a Muslim girl, for any educated girl in Delhi, films are believed to be a step down. Also, they were scared of this ‘bad world of Bollywood’. They feared I’d get lost and corrupted. (Laughs) Even today if I don’t speak to my mother thrice a day, she fears I’m kidnapped. Anyway, I told dad, ‘I enjoy acting. If you don’t let me go to Mumbai
I won’t, but I’ll always regret it’. My dad is such a softie, he melted. But he gave me a one-year deadline to make it. The first ad I did here was with Amit Sharma (Tevar fame). It was a mobile ad with Abhishek Bachchan. At that time the IPL was on. So in every ad break they played that commercial. My family thought I was the coolest thing ever.
Have you ever faced the casting couch?
No. Have men hit on me? Of course, they hit on me. But I know how to handle them. I say no, thank you. I am not interested. If you are attractive people will ask you out but the casting couch never. I’m sure it exists in the industry. Everyone seems to talk about it. Maybe, because I am moohfat (blunt) I scare men away. They fear I’ll tell everybody about it.
Is our audience not mature enough for lesbian love as hinted in Dedh Ishqiya?
Had people understood it, then maybe the film, based on Ismat Chugtai’s Lihaf, would have done better. It was beautifully handled. At the Berlin film festival, the audience. asked about Section 377 (criminalises homosexuality) in India and why the film hadn’t raised the ire of conservatives. My answer was that nobody understood it. The film left you wondering ‘is it... is it not’.
Have you been hit upon by a girl?
(Laughs) Yes. I was at a party when this girl started acting ‘cool’. I thought she was drunk and needed some help standing. So I held her hand. Just then she whispered, ‘Can you come to other room?’ I freaked out. But on the whole a woman hitting on you is a compliment.
How did you overcome your weight complex?
Well, all the guys today tell me I’m cute. Like most girls, I grew up thinking I was fat and ugly and that I had bad hair and crooked teeth. I went on crash diets, tried banging my teeth in, I have done all stupid things. I never thought I was hot. But moving to Mumbai gave me confidence. Here, I’m living alone, I’m running my career, my house, my staff. There is something I must be doing right. I can’t be a fluke. I will not deny that an actress’ job is to look nice. But if you are telling me that as a person something’s wrong with me then I don’t buy that. You are telling millions of girls that size zero is the coolest thing. Size zero has been the most rubbish concept ever. It is fake, artificial and unsustainable. Losing weight is a natural process. But don’t bully me by saying I’m too heavy to be a heroine. I’m going to give it back to you.
Does having a star boyfriend help you get beatter films and deals?
No yaar, a star boyfriend comes with a lot of baggage. Who will handle that? You need a boyfriend who is not a star in front of you, you need a boyfriend who just loves you, takes care of you, who doesn’t mind holding your bag when you go shopping, holds your hands while walking the streets and believes you are the most beautiful girl. I look for something real in a person. It doesn’t matter how much money he makes. I value emotional security.
Stardom comes with a price and sacrifice. You agree?
Acting is a selfish profession. It’s about ‘I, me, myself’. Actors are selfish. We end up thinking more about ourselves. Somewhere it damages your relationship with your family, your friends because you can’t give them much time.
Tell us something more about the real Huma?
Actresses generally give politically correct answers. I’d wonder how they do it. It’s difficult to remember what to say to different people. I thought might as well tell the truth. At least people will appreciate your honesty.
How have you managed to make so many friends?
I’m a friendly person. Hum Dilliwale dildaar hote hain. We are the life of a party. Genuinely, I like people. It’s reciprocated.
You seem to enjoy a warm relationship with Salman Khan…
Salman is a lovely human being. He’s all heart. I’m not the only one saying it. I found Salim uncle (Khan) warm too. They have always treated me like family.