Article Updated 17 December, 2003 04:31:31 PM IST   Manisha On The Attack! By Vickey Lalwani ©2003 Bollyvista.com   The gutsy MANISHA KOIRALA wears her heart up her sleeve... does not blink before talking openly about her personal relationships, does films for emotional reasons, and at times has been known to almost disappear from the industry because she loves to travel and do social work. Today, she is ready with her first film 'Paisa Vasool' written and directed by Srinivas Bhashyam. In a free-wheeling interview with Vickey Lalwani, she attacks controversies head-on. Excerpts: Why did you turn producer? Isn't it risky in today's times of more flops and less hits? A producer's job is a thankless job, with an enormous responsibility. But I always wanted to explore this possibility, this avenue. I like to make new things happen in my life. I hate monotony. You can't keep doing the same thing throughout your life. Certain people might be very happy with that, but I have a self-aware personality What is 'Paisa Vasool' about? Two girls (Sushmita Sen and I) will do comedy for the first time on Hindi screen and I bet the audience will enjoy it. We meet the bad guys head-on, but in a comical way. Are you feeling nervous before the release of your first production? Your last film 'Market' flopped, ditto for Sushmita Sen's last film 'Samay'. You are partially correct. 'Samay' was a flop, but 'Market' did quite well especially if you consider the budget at which it was made. 'Paisa Vasool' is a different ball game altogether. No actress can deliver 100 per cent hits. Why was Randeep Honda dropped and Sushant Singh taken in 'Paisa Vasool'? Randeep was not dropped. He himself stopped reporting for the shooting. I had to break a set, due to his absence. He received some offer from Ram Gopal Varma. Unfortunately for him, Ramu's film for him hasn't taken off as yet. There has been a controversy regarding you performing the role of Mrs. Gandhi in Nitin Keni's film titled 'Indira' to be directed by N.Chandra, since you enacted the role of a sex worker in 'Market'? I don't know what to say. I am amused, to say the least. How can an actor confine to one image? While we lend a lot to a role, I think, we are just actors. Just playing a role does not change us. I wish people understand. But 'Indira' hasn't begun at all. Has the producer Keni developed cold feet about casting you? As far as I know, 'Indira' is going to happen with me. But I guess, Keni would be the right person to whom you should addresss this question. People are talking about model-turned-actor Aryan Vaid (who made his debut in 'Market') and you... (Interrupts) My boyfriend Cecil and I are still together. Aryan is a good friend alright, but there is no romance between us. People say that you have political aspirations? I have no political aspirations. I am focusing on being a producer. I want to make some very good cinema. I want to make crossover films, which have an international market, not the normal hero-heroine stuff. Normal is boring. For focussing on the production front, I have even cut down on my acting assignments. Like, Jaiprakash (director of 'Market') has an excellent script which he has offered me. But I would be able to do it, gladly of course, only if he could wait for the next few months. Going back to your 'Paisa Vasool'. Initially, you had a tie-up with iDreams. Later, you fell apart. Why? Yes. 'iDreams' and 'Moving Images' (my banner) were supposed to co-produce 'Paisa Vasool'. But I saw that certain people in the lower rung of 'iDreams' were creating problems. I sensed that a big problem was brewing up. I decided to part ways. Prevention is better than cure, isn't it? Moving on to one of your forthcoming films 'Tum?' directed by Aruna Raje. You have some very hot scenes in that film, with Karan Nath (Rikku's son)... (Interrupts) That's wrong. Newcomer Netanya Singh is doing hot scenes with Karan Nath. Would you like to get married? Marriage is certainly on my agenda. Many times I feel that I suffer from the runaway-bride syndrome (laughs). Seriously, I want to settle down in matrimony and have kids. I hope Cecil is the man I marry, but surely I can't foresee my future.   close   Print this Article http://www.bollyvista.com   http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/34/1450