'I am glad I got what I wanted'

One can’t help but connect actor Amrita Rao to her exemplary performance in Prakash Jha’s ‘Satyagraha’ where she essayed the role of Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter-in-law.

It was indeed an emotionally draining process for Amrita but the actor says that she learnt a great deal about how to tweak and integrate contrasting emotions.  The actor will soon be seen in a substantial role in ‘Satsang’ opposite Ajay Devgn, also directed by Prakash. This project just like all Prakash’s ventures will deal with socially relevant issues. In an chat with Nina C George, the actor talks about what keeps her going.

On working with Prakash Jha...

As a director, Prakash sir has complete faith in his actors. When I interacted with him during ‘Satyagraha’ he told me that he always chooses the best actors for his films because he can concentrate on executing the screenplay to perfection. He is clear that his job is to direct and not to teach people how to act.

How does it feel to be a part of ‘Satsang’?

I can’t comment about my role or the project because nothing has been finalised. Prakash sir is woking on a lot of subjects almost simultaneously and is yet to finalise anything. ‘Satsang’,
I am given to understand, has all the trappings of a Prakash Jha film and I am looking forward to working on it.
 
On being choosy about work...

I was convinced that I am on the right track when ‘Jolly LLB’ won the National Award. I felt more assured that I was making the right choices afterwards. When the director Subhash Kapoor narrated the script, it evoked in me a great feeling and I knew that roles like this one wouldn’t always come my way. I want to work on similar projects.

What kind of roles excite you?

I want to work on projects that I can watch with my family. I choose not to get carried away by the arc lights of the film industry. I want to be
remembered for the roles that I do — it is more important to me than making a lot of money.
 
About venturing into the small screen...

I chose to make my debut in television with ‘Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai’ because I found the content to be a very real, believable and something that people can easily relate to. There will be a lot of actors who will take to television in a big way because that’s the future of the entertainment industry.  

Juggling television and films...

Working for television is a full-time job and one can’t really think of doing anything else when one is committed to a project for the small screen. I’ve always wanted to make my television debut in a daily soap and I am glad I got what I wanted.

What do awards mean to you?

The biggest award for me is when people call me up and tell me how much they liked my work. I am surprised how they remember and recall the smallest of details of films. This is truly encouraging.

Your style statement...

I like wearing anything that is comfortable. I think one should wear clothes that suit one’s bodytype and skin tone. There are a lot of designers who I trust to make clothes that suit my personality and fashion sensibilities.

What’s your secret to staying fit?

Just eating healthy and sticking to a planned intake of carbohydrates, proteins and fat.