What is your present state of mind?

I feel on top of the world. I’ve worked really hard for the success that has come my way. It’s easier for established actors to take hits and flops in their stride. As a newcomer, acceptance is very important. I was very jittery about the fate of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (KNPH). However, the film’s success has raised expectations and brought a lot of responsibility with it.

Would you qualify ‘expectations’?

People respect you a lot more. They’ve accepted me and expect me to grow with every subsequent film. It’s very difficult for each of my forthcoming films to match the success of my debut film. The situation is therefore kind of pressurising.
Any other changes?
Well! There have been pleasant and unpleasant surprises. Success is an eye-opener. You learn a lot because you meet all kinds of people in this line of work. A hard fact is that nothing succeeds like success, more so in the film world. Also, nobody is here to do you a favour. Unless you are good, capable of selling a product and raking in money, nobody’s going to offer you work.
I see a change even in the people and society that I’ve grown up in. Suddenly, they all want to know me. That’s nice but I also know that the same people will be the first ones to put me down if a film of mine flops.

That’s true. How do you deal with it?

I’m my normal self, I don’t take it personally. Like in any profession, there are some people I vibe well with, others who get on my nerves. With the latter, I do my work and leave. Most importantly, my family and friends are from a non-film background. Living in South Bombay, I go back to a world that is not connected or in awe of the industry. That helps me keep my balance. Sometimes, I can be very irritated but then I come back to a sane environment which calms me down. Also, I’ve learnt to try and see what makes a person the way they are. Behaviour is often governed by circumstances. I try to dwell on the situation at hand before reacting to a person.

What kind of homework do you do for a role?

It depends on the character that I’m playing. For instance, K N P H required me to be what I am in everyday life — bubbly and jovial. What you saw on screen was a very unrehearsed performance. I would arrive on the sets and be informed of the scene and my dialogues while my make-up was being done. In contrast, I had to study body language and bear in mind details of Islam, Lahore etc. while shooting for Gadar. 

As an actress, which are the areas that you think you need to work upon?

Since I haven’t undergone formal training, K N P H was like an acting school for me. With that as a platform, I have to grow further. I know there are a lot of mistakes that I have made. I have to work on certain flaws that I’ve identified. Not just in terms of performance but also clothes, overall look, characterisation, etc. Again, Gadar is a case in point. My character belongs to the 1940s; I have to be very particular about my clothes. I can’t arrive on the sets and wear whatever is available because that will eventually mar the authenticity of my character.

How is it to work with a seasoned actor like Sunny Deol?

I was a little apprehensive initially but all my fears were laid to rest once we commenced shooting. Sunny is a gem to work with. He’s a thorough gentleman. He’s one of the classiest stars we have. He made me feel like a superstar. His humility has taught me a lesson: no matter how successful you become, your feet have to be firmly planted on the ground because you are never too big.

Which projects are you working on presently? 

There’s Gadar, Sunny’s home production Deva, David Dhawan’s film with Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan’s Parwana, Suno Sasurjee with Aftab Shivdasani, Vikram Bhatt’s Aap Humko Acche Lagne Lage with Hrithik, Satish Kaushik’s home production and negotiations are on for a couple of more films. 
That’s quite a mouthful! How do you manage?
I enjoy my work, that helps (Laughs). I make sure my days are spaced out properly. It does get very hectic. Sometimes, it’s crazy because you are on vacation one day and playing another character the next day. It’s all a part and parcel of the profession. A successful person is one who can deal with this reality. You have to adjust and accommodate to a lot of other people’s dates and vice versa. For example, I can’t say no to a shoot because I don’t feel like it when the hero has given particular dates.

What criteria do you adopt while signing a film? 

The project should involve a sound script and a good director. Also, as a heroine, it’s neccessary that I work with promising co-stars (read commercially viable). I can’t afford to take too many risks. For instance, I cannot experiment with parallel cinema too much. That I can do only after I have established myself as a commercial actress. Then, even the audience will be ready to see me in a different light because they would have had enough of my jhatkas and matkas. Right now, I want to run around trees and do filmi numbers in order to capture the attention of the masses.

Given the fact that your family was apprehensive about your choice of profession intially, what is their reaction today?

Yeah! They didn’t think that acting was a good alternative for a highly educated girl with my kind of background. They were sceptical of the filth that’s part of this profession. Now that I’m an actress, they’ve gotten more possessive about me. Though my family is happy for me, it also is my worst critic. They keep telling me to better my work.

Do you ever get upset about something that is ‘wrongly’ attributed to you?

Not really. I guess the media has a job to do. However, it does hurt sometimes. I just wish that they wouldn’t make love out to be such a foolish thing.

How do you view competition? 

Competition is necessary for me to improve, it helps to keep complacency at bay. Besides, there’s enough room for all of us. I can’t possibly suit every role conceived by each director. My physical structure and performance limits me to a certain category of films. 

How important is Vitamin M to you?

My parents have taught me that money comes and goes. You have to learn to make it your slave, not your master. My closest friends don’t make lakhs, they earn in thousands. 
God forbid, but if the need arose, do you think you could manage in thousands? 
You mould yourself according to the situation at hand. Eventually, you are only stronger for that. Today, since I have everything, it’s very easy to say that I’ll adjust to adversity. The truth is, I’m used to certain luxuries. A car or an AC is not a luxury for me, they are necessities. If they cease to be a part of my life, sure, I’ll miss them. However, I know I’ll accommodate, adjust and manage if times are economically trying because I have faith in my upbringing.

Has the notion of being a celebrity sunk in? 

It will take some more time. At home, I’m still the normal Ameesha who loves her track pants but the moment I step out, a certain amount of decorum is expected of me. I can’t stroll out in my track pants with my hair tied into a ponytail; that would disappoint my fans.

Isn’t that taxing at times?

Oh yeah! It’s hard to be prim and proper constantly. It’s funny how impressions and conclusions work. People have mistaken my brother for my boyfriend. I’m sure that if I’m sipping water at a club, there would be people who are presumptuous enough to conclude that I’m drinking alcohol. I can’t just chill out.
I’m sure there are ways.

 How do you define ‘chill’?

I love Jagjit Singh, I’m his biggest fan. I attend each and every concert of his. I’m into philosophy a lot. Richard Bach is an all-time favourite author. Besides, I read books like ‘Conversations With God’ by Neale Donald Walsch and any book with religious leanings and self-improvement. I also write a journal comprising things that I’ve read, liked or learnt in life.

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