From local theatre in Ahmedabad to Kollywood to the Hindi film industry, Gujarat-based Avni Modi followed her passion for acting until she hit bullseye with Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Calendar Girls' scheduled for release on September 25. In an exclusive with Asian Voice, she shared her transition from theatre to the big screen.
So, how did this industry happen to you?Did you always want to be an actor?
Yes, I always wanted to be an actor, from childhood. I come from a middle class family in Gandhinagar, which is why I was initially scared to tell the society I wanted to be an actor. But then I joined a theatre group in college and that is when my life took a U-turn. That was when I discovered the actress in me. I also started getting offers from local media, modelling assignments, and roles in serials. So, I spoke with my parents, decided to go to Mumbai. In Mumbai, I started with theatre because I had no contacts. I was basically doing any work that was coming my way. I was into theatre and modelling, and was in touch with a modelling agency. The agency said they were casting for a south Indian film and asked me to try for the role as they found my personality suitable. I told them I am from Gujarat and not familiar with their language or culture. Still, they called me for audition and I got selected. It was just a try and 'Strawberry' happened. I gradually came to learn things. I was so much appreciated as an actor, meanwhile I did short film that won international awards. I just knew I had to do a Bollywood movie and was always looking for the right film. I then met Madhurji (Madhur Bhandarkar) through a common friend, he really liked my pictures, said he didn't just want good faces but also a good performer and called me for audition. I did, two rounds of auditions after, Madhurji short-listed few girls, and that is how 'Calendar Girls' happened to me.
Madhur Bhandarkar is known for glamorising negativity. Calendar Girls, he has said is 75 per cent real and 25 per cent fiction. Do you agree?
I will say almost 80 per cent of what is shown in the movie is true, based on what I have seen and heard so far in the industry. I have faced a lot of incidents, good and bad. It is like a part and parcel of the field. See, what I feel is it depends on individual choices. You have to build you career and you have to rule your life. As long as you do what you feel you should do and take it further, then you won't have any regrets. I wanted my life a certain way and I chose it. And I am very happy with what has happened. It is a mixture of your destiny, hard work and choices. Madhurji took references from reality, from the society and adapted it in the movie. He doesn't copy anything. He adds his vision, his filmmaking and drama. If you have noticed, all his movies have a social message. He weaves the story in such a way that at the end of the film, the audience come out with a good social message.
Your character is broadly based on Veena Mallik and she is known to make some really bold moves. Were you comfortable doing them yourself, for the movie?
No no. My character is not based on just one person or on anybody's life. My character is based on different Pakistani actresses and references have been taken from many people. And a fresh story is made from all the references for my character Nazneen Malik. People are merely speculating my role is based on Veena. I had no apprehensions about my bold scenes. I was not worried about what the society would say. I believe I am only answerable to my parents and my brother. They are so advanced, open minded and cool about it and they accepted me as an actress. The kind of movies that are made now a days, they knew the same kind of films will be made of their daughter. If I want to be an actress today, I have to compete with all the actresses in the field. I have to be at that level. From the film point of view, when you have a director like Madhur Bhandarkar, you don't have to worry about such scenes because you know it will be aesthetically correct. If there is an intimate scene in the movie, it won't be just for the sake of it. The entire film is so full of emotions and expressions. So every intimate scene in the film is full of emotions. Whatever you will see, it is a girl and her life. I surrendered myself to Madhurji, as I trusted him completely. There was no doubt or nervousness.
How did you get along with all the other actresses in the movie?
All of us are very good friends. We started bonding from Day 1, when we started our workshop. We are very much in love with each other. We talk non-stop all day long, we pull each others' legs and make fun of each other. But in case someone else tries that, we unite to defend each other. I am very much close to Ruhi Singh. We help each other with make up, hair and costumes for promotions. The entire shooting for the movie went pretty smoothly.
-Mitul Paniker
