Theatre buffs in Delhi had a good laugh at humorous play ‘U-Turn’ starring Poonam Dhillon and Asif Sheikh at Chinmaya Mission recently. People from all sections came to support this charity play organised by Ms. Sushma Singhvi, head of an NGO Gunjan Foundation that works for the welfare of the underprivileged sections of the society by helping to restore their hope for a better future.
Funds raised through this charity play are meant to be utilised for the education of girls.
Celebrities from different walks of life - Sushma Seth, politician Subodh Kant Sahay, socialite Ramola Bachchan, social activist Vinita Bakshi, Aambra Foundation, Former Chief Justice of India RC Lahoti, CMD of RITES Rajeev Mehrotra, CMD of Power Trading Solution Provider Deepak Amitabh and many more made their presence felt.
Resham Sengar of Zeenews.com had a tête-à-tête with Poonam Dhillon post the show. Excerpts from the conversation:
You have been doing theatre alongside films? How do both the platforms differ?
Well, theatre is different because of its spontaneity and the last minute things which can happen sometimes. There are mishaps in theatre and even the audiences also react in a noisy way. For example during my last show there was a child who was crying and talking throughout the play and it was so distracting for us. But you can’t afford to lose your focus even for a minute. And if you do that then you go blank. People don’t realise that they have to behave responsibly. So those kinds of things don’t happen in films and in a film even if someone distracts, you can do a second, third and even twenty re-takes.
Is theatre more satisfying than films?
Theatre is good because in films you don’t connect well with your audiences. Films have a wider reach and pay you better. But theatre has its own thrills.
What are the changes you have noticed in all these years you have spent in the film industry? How was the industry then and how is it today?
When I started there was not such a variety of films happening. In the old days, a heroine was just a glamorous object. Now all kinds of films are made on interesting topics and commercially they do well. Now our films stars too are hugely popular abroad. But the industry needs more and more fresh talent because we are running short of good actors.
Is your daughter Paloma keen to take up acting as a career?
She has not thought about acting at the moment. As of now she is focused on completing her high school.
You will be seen in Prabhu Deva’s next film titled ‘Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya’. Please tell us something about your role.
The film is introducing a young actor and I am playing his mother. But it is a very important character and she is tough mom. She knows how to take decisions about her son’s future and it is a very different role from the one I have already done.
Who are your closest friends in Bollywood?
Well, I have a few very good friends. Padmini Kolhapore is one of them. Over the years I have developed a good rapport with the people I have worked with and we meet once whenever we get time.
Even at this age your hands are full with work. How do you manage all that?
I am queen of multi-tasking. That’s all I can say. (Smiles)
Would you like to share any beauty mantra with our readers?
I wish I knew my beauty mantra (laughs). I don’t really have an answer to that question. I think I am just blessed with good genes and good thinking.
Please share your recipe for success with all the aspiring actors.
Be very prepared for your craft because in today’s times you can’t come unprepared. And family is really a big support. Therefore you need your people around you. Of course, luck is also important.