BW: How did you get
your break?
Lakshmi
Rai: I was a model
to begin with and later enrolled
myself in an acting school.
After completing my course,
I won Miss Karnataka crown which
fetched me a role in a Kannada
film with Rajkumar’s son.
When I was doing it, I got an
offer in Karka Kasadara and
I just continued.
You have worked in different
languages, which industries
do you think you really fit
in?
Undoubtedly, it is the Tamil
industry as I have many projects
here. I have also done many
films here and this industry
is the one that has brought
me recognition. After this only,
I became popular and a star
in Malayalam film industry.
You have done a lot of
glamour? Will you go beyond
this?
|
Well, if a character needs
ultra-glamour, I will
definitely do it. However,
I will not do glamour
just for the sake of glamour.
I will do as much glamour
as a role requires and
not cross my limits.
How comfortable are you doing
intimate scenes?
|
"
I will not do glamour
just
for the sake
of
glamour "
|
|
If my character demands it,
say to kiss my co-star or anybody
and it’s a deep love story,
I will do it. The comfort level
has to be created and the kissing
scenes cannot be shot on the
first day of the shoot. If the
director feels that a particular
scene is needed, there must
be good chemistry which needs
to be worked between the pair
in question. And that’s
when the scene would turn out
well. If the character demands,
there is nothing wrong and I
am open to doing such scenes.
You have been the target of
a lot of gossip. How do you
react to this?
|
"
Gossip is unavoidable
in
this profession " |
Gossip is unavoidable
in this profession. There
will be some gossip today
and something tomorrow,
one must listen to it
with one ear and let it
out through the other.
It’s part and parcel
of this industry and I
don’t react to it.
It’s only me and
the person who is linked
(with me) will know the
truth. I am used to all
these now. When you say
Lakshmi Rai, there will
be a lot of gossip. Once
you become a star and
are known, there will
be gossip.
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Can you say something about
your relationship with Dhoni?
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Dhoni and I are friends.
I am an actress and he
is the Indian cricket
team’s captain.
Dhoni is a national figure
and I am a popular figure.
So linking both of us
is news that sells. He
has been linked with many
people but the names have
not been repeated, but
in my case it has been
repeated and this is a
selling point for the
media. It’s just
to create an attention.
Some people in the audience
will believe it and some
won’t. We tell the
truth but if they don’t
believe it, what can be
done? We have nothing
in our hearts.
|
"
Dhoni is a national
figure
and
I am a popular figure
"
|
|
You are from a non-filmi background.
How does your family react to
all this gossip?
My family is completely non-filmi
and conservative. Initially
they were taking rumors too
seriously. It was my duty to
convince them that this was
part of my profession. Soon,
they got used to it. Only my
family knows what I am doing
and where I am, they don’t
believe in outside news. But
it is only natural for any parent
to become anxious about these
things. They do feel insecure
sometimes but realize that I
am not the only one who is targeted
and there are also other actresses
who are at the receiving end.
Bollywood is all about rumors
and it happens only when you
are famous. So every industry
has gossips and rumors but it
depends on one’s mentality
in taking it. My parents know
what I am and they trust in
me. Without their knowledge
I will not do anything.
How was the experience working
with Jeeva in Dhaam Dhoom?
Firstly, I would like to say
he was amazing, fantastic and
it was an unforgettable experience
working with him. He was so
professional, dedicated and
is extremely motivating. While
shooting he is a different person
and while not shooting he is
completely different. He used
to tell me never to club friendship
and professionalism. While shooting,
he kept friendship aside as
he wanted the best output. It’s
very sad we lost him. I still
can’t believe it; it’s
a very great loss for the industry.
What about the Number 1 dancer
tag?
I don’t know about this.
I dance well and it’s
up to the audience to say whether
we are good dancers or bad dancers.
As a dancer I feel I am ok and
do my best.
Will you do item numbers?
No. |
Tell us something about your
role in Irumbukottai Murattu
Singam
|
"
You need energy,
stamina
and strength
to
ride a horse " |
I wanted to do something
different as I want every
film of mine to be different.
My audience should enjoy
them. When director Simbu
Devan told me the story
of Irumbukottai Murattu
Singam where I will be
in a cowboy getup, I found
it good and agreed. My
character has developed
a lot and gained importance
and you will realize this
when you see the film.
The film has been shot
with a brownish tone that
gives it a Hollywood look.
It’s an action film
and I play a brave bold
girl. I learnt to ride
a horse and this is not
an easy joke. It looks
easy, but there are so
many things to learn.
You need energy, stamina
and strength to ride a
horse. The horse is not
in our control and there
must be perfect understanding
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between the horse and the rider.
You can’t change horses
in the film and have to use
the same one throughout. There
were plenty of riding and chasing
scenes. The first few days I
had a lot of body pain. This
film is one of those with sky-
high expectations this year
and has been shot like an English
film. It’s very good and
has a fun theme.
Your first few films did
not do well. Did you think
of quitting at that point?
|
My aim was to be a good
actress in the Tamil industry
and not to become famous.
When you give your best
you become famous. My
aim was not to earn, I
was born with a golden
spoon and money was not
important. My first few
films did not give me
recognition. Karka Kasadara was a not a bad
film, it was a good entry. However
after that I made wrong film
choices but had belief in myself.
I took a break of six months
before Dhaam Dhoom and this
was like a re-launch. I had
a strong gut feeling and a resolve
that I would only do a good
film. I want to earn a name
as a good actress.
|
"
When you give your best
you
become famous "
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|
Heroines today are more of an
eye candy. What do you think
of this trend?
The generation is changing and
people who are making films
are trying something new. Everyone
is making films that have everything
for everyone.
Did you make any specific preparations
before wearing a bikini?
|
"
You can’t wear a
bikini
just
like that " |
You can’t wear a
bikini just like that.
When the director told
me about it, he told me
to be prepared. You have
to plan to carry it off
well. For my type of body,
everything in my wardrobe
looks good but to sport
a bikini, I had to lose
weight. I prepared by
working out and toning
my body. For a bikini
shot, you really need
to be confident.
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Tell us something about Jai
as he was your costar in Vaamanan?
|
The first day Jai was
very formal and reserved.
But soon, he became friendly
and it was like we had
known each other for years.
He has given two big hits
like Chennai 600 028 and
Subramaniapuram but has
no attitude whatsoever.
He makes you feel very
comfortable and we were
good friends working together.
I enjoyed Jai’s
company and we had a rollicking
time on the sets.
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"
I enjoyed Jai’s
company "
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