I am proud to be one of the Deols: Esha Deol

Ram Gopal Varma’s Darling has Esha Deol playing the other woman once again after Vikram Bhatt’s Ankahee. The actor speaks to Diganta Guha.

Ram Gopal Varma’s Darling has Esha Deol playing the other woman once again after Vikram Bhatt’s Ankahee. The actor opens up about her role:

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Isn’t your character in Darling similar to that in Ankahee?
The only similarity is that she is playing the second woman. Otherwise, Vikram Bhatt and Ram Gopal Varma can’t be compared. In Darling, I am completely deglamourised, unlike in Ankahee where I was completely decked up. In Darling, I am a secretary in an office who is having an affair with her boss. And due to an unfortunate incident I die. I am this unsatisfied soul with a lot of unfinished business and it was really interesting playing a soul and not a ghost.

The Ankahee factor did haunt you when you signed Darling…
Not at all. I always wanted to work with Varma. He has always been on the list of directors I wanted to work with. And even if I were playing the wife in the film, I would do it. In one sentence, let me tell you he is simply outstanding.

But we have seen a transformation in Esha from the girl-next-door to somebody hot and sexy, isn’t it?
I am not deliberately doing this. I have also done a film called Just Married where I was this typical simple Indian girl, which didn’t work. I mean I am not doing either of the two deliberately. I am just going by my gut feeling…Dhoom was the turning point but my heart also goes out to Ankahee and Yuva.

Yuva and Dhoom released back to back and in Yuva I was completely deglamourised. In Dhoom I went by the need of the hour to look hot and sexy, which I am sick of, because honestly in my personal life you will never see me in such dresses. I went for Darling because I got to do something, which is performance based and I am not looking hot and sexy, except in one song. Ankahee may not have done well at the box office but I got nominated with Saif Ali Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan in the negative category.

Esha has grown as an actor isn’t it?
My roles in Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe and even in Na Tum Jaano Na Hum were meaty. I started off getting very good roles but in the middle it was a bumpy ride. I am balancing my career doing movies where I am the protagonist I am thankful that I am getting such good offers. It’s not easy being in the industry it’s a tough rat race…I love competition…I am being very selfish right now.

I know it’s important to work with big heroes. I am following my career on every Friday release on the basis of how satisfied I am at the end of the day. Success is like a table tennis ball. Films are the only things that I have other than my personal life. I want to work hard and make money. I am very ambitious.

Haven’t you become more media savvy?
I started very young. I was very raw and I think you all have seen my growth. I was the child of everyone who is part of the industry. I do get criticized and I need to be punished…

Does the Deol factor mean a lot of pressure at times?
Not at all. I am proud to be one of the Deols. People approach me the right way. I have never experienced the casting couch. I won’t go that extra mile for a role. I have seen girls doing it and I wonder why. I really feel very sorry for them. I know with me there is no bull shitting around.

You must have liked Apne…
I loved it and I loved my father and the fact that he still looks amazing. He is so lovable and that’s why he still comes across the way he has always.

What happens to your dance shows?
Dance is like a prayer for me. I will never leave it, when I am dancing I am dancing for my God.

A project with Hemaji is on, isn’t it?
Hemaji is not directing it. It is still under production. But my mother has warned me not to talk about it. There will be a day when I will openly talk about it.