Cute pair yet no ‘Vivah’
From Noreen Aslam

BOMBAY—We were lucky to meet and chat with the two not so big stars of Bollywood. The occasion was the release of their ‘Vivah’ directed by none other than Sooraj Barjatya. The director has a special relationship with the movies connected with marriages. He chose the two emerging actors for his latest and helped them earn fame. Amrita Rao is the one who made her cinematic debut in 2002 in ‘Ab Ke Baras’, but gained recognition only after the success of ‘Ishq Vishk (2003), in which her portrayal as Payal earned her the girl next door image.
Her later two movies - ‘Masti’ and ‘Main Hoon Na’, also did well at the box office. And, now she has recreated her magic with her recent release ‘Vivah’.
We caught Amrita Rao while she was in Delhi on the day of the release of ‘Vivah’.
Excerpts from the interview:
What does love mean to you?
Everybody needs love; without love there is no life. I am not hesitant to define love. Love is the best thing that can happen to anyone.
What was the best moment while shooting ‘Vivah’?
There are quite a few, the very fact that we had Sooraj Barjatya as the director, who comes on the set having done not only his homework but your homework too. When you go back home he sends you an encouraging SMS, telling you that you were so good. I am afraid no director does that.
‘Vivah’ is all about customs and tradition. Which is your favorite tradition?
My favorite is engagement ceremony, because that is the first bond. It’s the first step towards a boy’s commitment that he goes down his knees to commit to the girl for life
Were you able to correlate yourself with the character in the movie?
It might sound strange but I coincidently visited the Mathura and Vrindavan this year without knowing that I am going to sign this film. This was just a week before that Sooraj had met me. When I came back to Delhi Sooraj signed me for the film, which was fantastic for me. And when I heard the narration I came to know that the girl is from Mathura and the boy is from Delhi. It was quite a sweet coincidence.
Her costar in ‘Vivah’ is the chocolate boy and heartthrob of millions. He is Shaahid Kapoor who has played the most coveted character of ‘Prem’ in Sooraj Barjatya’s ‘Vivah’ This screen name has been lucky for the banner. Will the lucky name play in ‘Vivah’ or not? We spoke to Shahid to find out his answer.
Excerpts from interview:
The screen name ‘Prem’ has been lucky for Barjatyas. Do you think ‘Vivah’ will also be a hit?
I don’t want to raise expectations. I just wish that I have done justice to the director and hope that the people feel that I have done a fair job. I don’t want to raise any high expectation.
How was your experience during the shooting for ‘Vivah’?
The biggest thing for me was to get a chance to work with Sooraj Barjatya in ‘Vivah’. He is not only a wonderful director, but an outstanding person too. It’s been like schooling for me; he works for four years on a script. So, he does so much of background work on a script that it makes life for an actor very easy. There are certain films for which you don’t think about their commercial value, but you feel enriched as a person. By being a part of the film, I have enriched myself as a person.
‘Vivah’ is all about customs and traditions. Which is your favorite tradition?
Well, there are so many of them. It’s really difficult to name one or two. I celebrate Diwali, I celebrate Eid.everything. I am quite a fun loving person, I celebrate everything.
What are your upcoming projects?
I am getting a lot of scripts right now. Yet, I haven’t decided on any one.
You have become very choosy about picking the scripts. What’s the reason?
I am trying to make right choices.
What do you have to say about Sooraj Barjatya?
He is probably the most relaxed director in the film industry. There is no shouting on the sets; he does a lot of homework for his actors too. But there is one thing that I have learnt from him. Though he has given so many hits, yet his approach to every shot is as if it’s his first film and first shot. And, I as an actor who is just three years old in the industry, have learnt a lo from him.