LARA: BEING A CELEBRITY I HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY
By Eye TV India Bureau
Tete-a-Tete
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Beauty queen Lara Dutta is too busy these days, yet finds time for social causes. After all, she is a celebrity and therefore aware of her responsibility towards society. She met us following the announcement of her new film titled 'Amarjeet'.' She will play the lead role in it. Besides, her 'No Entry' is ready for release. She is acting in Sunil Darshan-directed 'Dosti' with Bobby Deol. She has also agreed to act in Sanjay Gupta's 'Jinda'.
Excerpts of her interview:
You got 'Amarjeet' though every beauty queen talks of social concern?
I don't know about others. But I have done a lot of work in association with the United Nations. I spare time for social work and do it rather than just talk about it .I am happy that I got a movie like this, and the director thought of me. This shows that my image is good.
Doesn't 'Amarjeet's poster show you in a fighter's role like Rajni Tendulkar in a serial?
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No, this girl isn't a social worker. She has nothing to do with politics. She is not an advocate either. She hails from a small town of Punjab. This is the story of her life; a depiction of events in her life. She raises an issue against smoking, and becomes a source of inspiration for others fighting for the same cause. She turns a poster girl for them. She becomes conscious of her responsibility after raising the issue. She realizes its consequences too.
Isn't the movie with a social cause?
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Yes, the message is there. But this is a completely commercial film. We wish the viewers to relish it. It's essential to keep the viewers' taste in mind while making a movie. If it's an art movie, only few people would go to watch it.
Won't you benefit from today's anti-smoking campaign?
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We have been working on this project for the last six months. Naturally, the movie becomes important in the wake of present movement in support of the anti-smoking. However, we haven't borrowed the idea of this movie from the present campaign.
Do you smoke?
Truly speaking, I used to smoke in the past. However, there wasn't any particular reason behind it. I just smoked.
Do you smoke for the company sake or under pressure from smoker friends?
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Yes, it is possible. However, being a celebrity I have some responsibility in this respect. If I smoke, my younger friends might like to follow me by saying that Lara does it, so we should follow her. I don't want to let this impression go in their minds.
Are you happy with the ban on smoking on the screen?
Yes, I agree with it. Movies play a vital role. We should seriously think over it.
Isn't your 'No Entry' like your 'Masti'?
Both the movies are quite different from each other. I can say it with authority as I am acting in both the films. There is no common ground between the two. 'No Entry' is a very interesting and comic movie.
What else are you doing?
Besides, I am doing Sunil Darshan's 'Dosti' with Bobby Deol and Akshay Kumar. I am planning to visit South Africa. Apart from it, I am doing Sanjay Gupta's 'Jinda'.