At a time when showing off one’s skin and shedding clothes in films give a ticket to success in Bollywood, actress Amrita Rao is amongst the few actresses in India’s tinseltown, who set the screen on fire without any vulgar-heat and controversial smoke. After delivering critically acclaimed performances and commercial hits like Main Hoon Na (2004), Vivah (2006) and Welcome To Sajjanpur, Amrita has instituted herself as one of the most promising actresses. Whether she is in a modern or homely role, thanks to Amrita’s girl-next-door-look that makes every parent to personify her as their daughter or daughter-in-law and for an eligible bachelor, she leaves her impression as his better-half.
So is she a born actress? “No. It happened to me in a gradual manner. Though I was into modeling and extracurricular activities in my school days at C.G. High School in Mumbai, I never thought of making it big someday in a film-industry.
While pursuing my Bachelors with Psychology in Sophia College, I auditioned for an advertisement for Fairever Face Cream. And to my surprise I was selected amongst the top contestant, which paved a way for me to take this profession sincerely,” says Amrita. People from the fashion circuit noticed her seriously and offers started pouring on her.
It was her appearance in the Bru Coffee advertisement and a Cadbury’s product ad that helped Amrita get offers from Bollywood. However, as she wanted to complete her studies first, she refused them but soon after her colleging she realized acting and modeling as a serious profession.
Wasn’t her family against her decision? She says no, not at all! “Both my mom and dad were quite supportive. They never ever stopped me in realizing my dreams in the film industry,” the actress says.
On being asked about gaining a foothold in Bollywood, especially being an outsider, she says, “Thanks God, everything came to me easily unlike many strugglers. I am fortunate that I started my career with a seasoned thespian (Raj Babbar)’s son, Arya Babbar with Ab Ke Baras. Though it didn’t stand up to the expectation, both Arya and I were noticed. Then came Ken Ghosh’s Ishq Vishk, which gave trio of protagonists, Shahid Kapoor, Shehnaz Treasurywala and I due recognition.” And the rest is history.
The way her career has shaped up with commercial successes like Main Hoon Na, Vivah and Welcome To Sajjanpur, Amrita certainly feels on top of the world. With each of these films including even Masti and others, audiences relate themselves with me. “I’ll always be grateful to Shah Rukh, Farah (Khans), Suraj Barjatya and Shyam Benegal for honing and exhibiting my acting skills in completely different formats. It is their immense guidance and support that I could carve a niche for myself,” the actress adds.
So, is she happy with her ‘girl-next-door image’? “Why not? It’s a great opportunity for me to encash this image. What could be better than this for any actress to connect with one’s audiences? Every family people easily relate me with their daughter, sister or the girl they always knew in their neighbourhood. Whether it’s Poonam in Vivah, Sanjana in Main Hoon Na and Payal in Ishq Vishk, all these portrayals came across as warm and sweet girls. So, it is important for an actress to be identified by the audiences with a special tag,” she boasts.
Coming on the heels of seasoned actresses Madhuri Dixit and Tabu, Amrita is the third one whom legendary artist M.F. Hussain shown the world through his painting, making her his muse. How does she take it? Says she, “Though I am nothing and nowhere before Madhuri and Tabu, Hussain saab has immortalized me. I was overwhelmed and almost deadpan when the reports first came in via Media. I think it was my so Indianized character in Vivah that left a stamp on him. Later when I met him in Dubai, I felt he was much more than a good human being. He was down-to-earth and would observe things minutely and meticulously.” Hussain’s death is my personal loss, she adds.
Staying away from rat-race and cats-fight that is very much part of the industry, the Vivah actress believes in healthy competition rather than the intense rivalry. “Amongst all the costars I have worked with I shared a warm rapport with them. Even whether it’s Kareena, Vidya Balan or the others with whom I haven’t worked, I find them more professional towards their approach. By the way, everybody has his or her own appeal,” Amrita signs off.
