Her Bollywood break came in the form of Hindi film, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002), made by Yash Raj Films. Though the film did relatively well, Mumbai-born Tulip Joshi's acting was panned.
However, when this former Miss India contestant opted to work in one of Indian cinema's boldest films, Matrubhoomi (2003), critics were forced to wake up to Tulip's potential as an actor, as she portrayed an abused woman in an India sans women after a relentless spate of female foeticides and infanticide.
At Hotel JW Marriott, Sector 35, Chandigarh, on Saturday, Tulip announced the coming of her third Punjabi film, Jatt Airways, and nurturing a love for serious cinema. Having been seen in a few more Hindi films, such as Dhokha (2007), Tulip says, "Dhokha was also quite close to being
a part of serious cinema. I was appreciated by the critics for my acting, and I still miss being a part of that genre."
Tulip, whose mother is a Lebanese Armenian and father a Gujarati, became a part of Punjabi cinema with films such as Jag Jeondeyan De Mele (2009) and Yaara O Dildara (2011), both with singer Harbhajan Mann. Tulip says, "I have always been the type to be approached by filmmakers, and have never gone and asked for a role."
{{/usCountry}}Tulip, whose mother is a Lebanese Armenian and father a Gujarati, became a part of Punjabi cinema with films such as Jag Jeondeyan De Mele (2009) and Yaara O Dildara (2011), both with singer Harbhajan Mann. Tulip says, "I have always been the type to be approached by filmmakers, and have never gone and asked for a role."
{{/usCountry}}On being asked about making a comeback in the Punjabi film industry that is witnessing Neeru Bajwa cast as the leading lady for most films, she says, "There is no comparison between us as our graphs are different. Neeru aspires to do many films in the industry, but I would be doing selective films here."
So, where does she place herself in Indian cinema, where most actors are associated with the R100 crore clubs? "I don't desire to be a part of that rat race. In fact, I am not one of those female actors who have already decided to work for 10 years and then get married and pack up. I would prefer women-centric roles that don't restrict me to the Rs 100 crore club. I also appreciate the way Sridevi has made a comeback in a film made for her."
Sharing further, Tulip says she stays busy with her family business, watching films and indulging in reading in her free time. Talking about her future in the Punjabi film industry, she adds, "I love being here, even if language is one of the problems I face on the sets. But, if a role is brilliant and the filmmaker is clear about what he is making, then nothing else counts."
Does she harbour a dream role? "In the near future, I just dream to do something unique
in cinema, something that makes a difference. But I'm still not clear what that is," the beautiful lady smiles as she signs off.