Exposing the hypocrisy in society

Actor Neha Saxena will be seen essaying the role of a District Commissioner (DC) in her latest movie, ‘Ojas.’ She says that she accepted it only because of its strong content and characterisation.

It’s a female-oriented subject that glorifies the power of the woman and Neha says that she wants people to remember her for the roles she has done rather than the number of movie projects she has signed. She has just completed a project in Malayalam opposite actor Mammootty and signed another with Mohanlal, before she returned to complete her work in the Kannada film industry.

In an interview with Nina C George, she talks about her role in her latest venture.

What is your role?

I play a district commissioner who tries to bring about a change in the city that she is posted in and rid the place of corruption. It has a strong script. We shot the major portions of the film in a real DC office in Tumakuru just to add a touch of reality to the
project.

Was it easy for you to slip into the character?

My character has many peculiarities and one of them is that she hates men. This hatred stems from her sad past where her mother was killed by her father who was an alcoholic. This incident changes her perspective towards men and marriage. She believes that a woman must never be treated like a doormat but given just as much respect as men.

What issues are brought out in the movie?

The story delves into several issues such as prostitution, female foeticide and abuse in marriages. It exposes the hypocrisy in society and how women,even in this day and age, are still victims of such problems.

Is there an underlying message?

There are several messages but the most important ones are that one should
respect people who are working towards ensuring a corruption-free society
and that women should be respected and encouraged to pursue their dreams.
   
We don’t see you working too much in the Kannada film industry. Why?

That’s because I am not getting the kind of projects that I want to work in. Most of
the characters that I’ve worked on so far have been overshadowed by the hero. I want to work on projects that give me the chance to showcase my talent and I found that opportunity in ‘Ojas.’

Venturing into the small screen...

I’ve made a beginning in the small screen industry by appearing in a cameo in ‘Har Har Mahadeva’, a mythological show on Star Suvarna Channel.