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Juhi Babbar, daughter of film star -cum- politician Raj Babbar, will appear with his debut movie 'Kaash Aap Humare Hote' opposite singer-turned-actor Sonu Niigam. The film is being directed by Ravindra Peepat. Juhi is anxiously looking forward to her first release though she is confident that her portrayal of an emotional girl bound by circumstances will prove her caliber as an actress. She has traveled a long way from theater to designing costumes to acting in films.
Some excerpts of her interview:
Did you choose acting because of your parents?
Yes. I would be lying if I say I never wanted to work in films. I was not sure though. I was always in awe of my father and wanted to do everything he used to do and obviously acting was one of them.
Did you think of joining theater first?
I was confused whether to join the National School Of Drama or go for fashion designing. So I joined NIFT for three years and then started designing costumes for my mother's theater group 'Ekjute'. Then I acted in her four plays.
How does it feel to be an actress?
I feel great when people recognize me. But now that I am trying to create my own identity in my own way.
Did your father object to it?
Every father dislikes his girl to be in any unhealthy atmosphere and wants her to meet only the right people. So he had his reservation.
How did he allow you to do films?
When he saw me perform in 'Begum Jaan' he felt confident. Then he decided to make a film for me.
How did you come to act in 'Kaash Aap Hamare Hote'?
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My father started working on some script with his old friend Ravindra Peepat. He rejected three scripts before finalizing on one of Peepat's old scripts, which they were supposed to make with him (my father) and the late Smitaji. At that point of time, it did not work out. But now it worked though some changes were made to make it topical.
How did you feel playing the role meant for Smita Patil?
Once I came to know that Smitaji was supposed to do it before her death, the pressure started building on me. To play a character meant for her is like a privilege for me, but that does not lessen the pressure on me.
What role you play in the film?
The film is a love story with a lot of emotions. I play Amrita and everyone in the film says 'Kash Aap Hamare Hote', be it friend, father, mother or my love. Everyone wants me to be there.
How do you foresee its future?
Do you feel comfortable pairing with singer- turned- actor?
My father was supposed to play that role, so for him to zero down on anyone was one hell of a task. He had already rejected 30 people and some of them were really good. But when someone mentioned Sonu's name, he just said, "Would he like to act?"
Did you come across any major hurdle while shooting?
When we reached Canada, we found it was raining and we had to spend our time in the hotel. Bad weather was predicted for another 20 days, so we just left the place and went to Vancouver. In fact, we shot the film looking for locations while travelling in the bus. And then there was the infamous 9/11 incident, creating chaos all round. Omji was stuck up in London and Sharad Kapoor in New York. But touchwood, everything worked out very well.
What's your forte?
I have been pretty comfortable doing emotional sequences. I think that's my forte.
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The film is a love story with a lot of emotions. I play Amrita and everyone in the film says 'Kash Aap Hamare Hote', be it friend, father, mother or my love. Everyone wants me to be there.
When we reached Canada, we found it was raining and we had to spend our time in the hotel. Bad weather was predicted for another 20 days, so we just left the place and went to Vancouver. In fact, we shot the film looking for locations while travelling in the bus. And then there was the infamous 9/11 incident, creating chaos all round. Omji was stuck up in London and Sharad Kapoor in New York. But touchwood, everything worked out very well.
