Interview of Kajal Agarwal with Times Of India
Tell us how your Bollywood offer came by.I got a call from Rohit Shetty. He said he saw "Magadheera" and liked my performance. At first I had problems with the dates but finally we were able to work them out. We will start shooting in Goa in March.
You must be looking forward to working with Ajay Devgn?Yes I am. In fact I want to work with the best technicians, best directors and best actors across industries. I want to work with all of them.
This is your second Hindi film.I would say this is my first full-fledged Hindi film. I was barely 14 when I did a cameo in "Kyun... Ho Gaya Na!". I would say " Lakshmi Kalyanam" was my first film."
Going by past observations, many Tollywood heroines had used their stint in the industry as a launchpad to Bollywood...I think it's unfair to say that. I'm not shifting to Bollywood. I am just doing a Hindi film. I know Hindi and I am comfortable with the language, but acting cuts across the language barrier and I love doing Telugu films. I love the industry, I'm not going anywhere.
So you are doing a Kannada film, a Tamil film and a couple of Telugu films.Right now I am working on "Mr Perfect" with Prabhas, "Veera" with Ravi Teja, an untitled Ajay Bhuyan film with Naga Chaitanya and "Singham." If everything works out I'll do "Merupu" with my "Maga-dheera" star Ram Charan Tej. But nothing is finalized as yet.
Do you see a change in the way films are being made in Tollywood these days?There is a change in audience taste and therefore the films change to cater to them. After all filmmaking is a business. Audiences are asking for different films and it slowly is bringing a change. Telugu films may not be as realistic as Tamil films, but I love cinema that is larger than life. I have no qualms dancing around trees. I love it!
How is it like to have your sister Nisha Agarwal testing waters in Tollywood?It's lovely. I am there to support her and give her advice, but she will have to slog it out. She's a hardworking girl!
In "Brindavanam" and in "Mr Perfect" you shared screen space with other heroines. What makes you accept films in which you are not the sole heroine?
I am comfortable sharing screen space with others. I am secure and I know who I am. I have no issues working with others, I don't fall for comparisons and I know my rules and as long as I am satisfied with the role I play I have no other problems.
Do you have friends in the industry?I have no dear buddies but I have a very good working relationship with all my colleagues.
What are you reading and watching these days, any vacation plans?I am reading "Discussion on Youth" by Daisaku Ikeda. It's a lovely book that deals with the problems youth face be it at work or with friends. When I read the book I feel as if I am taking part in those discussions. I have watched a DVD of "Udaan", it's a brilliant movie. As for vacation plans I enjoyed a good one and half month break during the Tollywood strike. I am looking forward to work now!
Tell us how your Bollywood offer came by.I got a call from Rohit Shetty. He said he saw "Magadheera" and liked my performance. At first I had problems with the dates but finally we were able to work them out. We will start shooting in Goa in March.
You must be looking forward to working with Ajay Devgn?Yes I am. In fact I want to work with the best technicians, best directors and best actors across industries. I want to work with all of them.
This is your second Hindi film.I would say this is my first full-fledged Hindi film. I was barely 14 when I did a cameo in "Kyun... Ho Gaya Na!". I would say " Lakshmi Kalyanam" was my first film."
Going by past observations, many Tollywood heroines had used their stint in the industry as a launchpad to Bollywood...I think it's unfair to say that. I'm not shifting to Bollywood. I am just doing a Hindi film. I know Hindi and I am comfortable with the language, but acting cuts across the language barrier and I love doing Telugu films. I love the industry, I'm not going anywhere.
So you are doing a Kannada film, a Tamil film and a couple of Telugu films.Right now I am working on "Mr Perfect" with Prabhas, "Veera" with Ravi Teja, an untitled Ajay Bhuyan film with Naga Chaitanya and "Singham." If everything works out I'll do "Merupu" with my "Maga-dheera" star Ram Charan Tej. But nothing is finalized as yet.
Do you see a change in the way films are being made in Tollywood these days?There is a change in audience taste and therefore the films change to cater to them. After all filmmaking is a business. Audiences are asking for different films and it slowly is bringing a change. Telugu films may not be as realistic as Tamil films, but I love cinema that is larger than life. I have no qualms dancing around trees. I love it!
How is it like to have your sister Nisha Agarwal testing waters in Tollywood?It's lovely. I am there to support her and give her advice, but she will have to slog it out. She's a hardworking girl!
In "Brindavanam" and in "Mr Perfect" you shared screen space with other heroines. What makes you accept films in which you are not the sole heroine?
I am comfortable sharing screen space with others. I am secure and I know who I am. I have no issues working with others, I don't fall for comparisons and I know my rules and as long as I am satisfied with the role I play I have no other problems.
Do you have friends in the industry?I have no dear buddies but I have a very good working relationship with all my colleagues.
What are you reading and watching these days, any vacation plans?I am reading "Discussion on Youth" by Daisaku Ikeda. It's a lovely book that deals with the problems youth face be it at work or with friends. When I read the book I feel as if I am taking part in those discussions. I have watched a DVD of "Udaan", it's a brilliant movie. As for vacation plans I enjoyed a good one and half month break during the Tollywood strike. I am looking forward to work now!
