Lisa Ray's daring instincts

From the widow in Water to the young woman in love with another woman in I Can't Think Straight, she's done it all. Lisa Ray speaks to Roshmila Bhattacharya.

At this very moment, she's being talked about for her daring role in an English language movie about a same-gender relationship shot in London. From the widow in white in Water to the young woman in love with another woman in I Can't Think Straight, she's done it all.

She was a peerless model in the Mumbai ad circles too. Till she packed up for Canada . A bit reticent and wary of the media, it takes some doing to get Lisa Ray to answer questions.. but she does in an interview with Roshmila Bhattacharya

We've been hearing a lot about a film called I Can't Think Straight in which you're involved in a homosexual relationship. What drew you to the project?
My decisions are instinctive. I enjoy exploring and helping to tell interesting stories.

Was it awkward acting out intimate moments with another woman? Nandita Das says that during Fire, Deepa Mehta would advise her to think that she was with a man and not Shabana Azmi... but it was difficult.
Frankly, I didn't think too much about all this. For me, it was another day of filming as usual.

There's a film called Kill Kill Faster Faster that's complete and awaiting release. Is it as bloodthirsty as it sounds?
It is rather bloodthirsty isn't that .. fab?

After Water, one expected to see you in at least a couple of Hindi films.. but you disappeared. What's keeping you from coming down to Mumbai?
I'm not sure why one would expect to see me in Bollywood films since I no longer live in Mumbai. Actually, it would be a bit of a shock to see me in one now.

But we're told you still get offers for Hindi films.. for crossover movies?
Yes, I do.

So wouldn't you want to play the typical Bollywood heroine.. run around the conifers?
It could be fun. And I'm sure I'd have a ball with such a role today. I'm so much more relaxed now.

The buzz is that you've been offered a role in Sudhir Mishra's modern-day version of Devdas and that you're considering the project?
I consider all projects that come my way.

Ah, so you are clued in on the Bollywood scene. Any recent releases you'd have liked to be a part of?
Unfortunately I'm no longer clued into the Bollywood scene.. in fact, I never was. I do hear that there are films of a certain kind of sensibility being made. But my career in other parts of the world has been keeping me busy.

We know of a film, Sook-Yin Lee and David Sutherland's Toronto Stories, whose tag line describes it as ‘four cameras, four stories, one city'. Tell us more.
Sorry, can't reveal more.

Okay, what about the mini series, The Summit?
It's a wonderful and very political script that unfolds against the backdrop of the G8 Summit. I loved working on this series since I play a smart and very sexy reporter. In India, television is very big today but at the same time, exacting with its stars working 24x7.

Is it the same there too?
I guess. I haven't done much of television. I'm more a feature film actor. It's the medium I relish.

You've had some interesting releases this year.. Let the Game Begin, World Unseen and AllHat. What is the criterion for zeroing in on a particular offer?
I'm not typecast in the west. In fact, I'm fortunate because I rarely get offers for Indian characters.

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I've had the opportunity to screen test for some amazing projects and I'm being mentored by some of the greatest actors in the world today I'm learning, growing and doing something I love everyday.

Despite an Oscar nomination,

Water

hardly created any ripples back home. Was the subject too close for comfort or as John Abraham says, was it just not marketed well?

I believe

Water

is a film which one should judge on its artistic merit and not for its commercial prospects. It was extremely well received in North America and Europe.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra was upset because

Water

edged out his

Rang de Basanti

from the Oscar race. Interestingly, you could have played Aamir Khan's lady love, Sue in the film?

Really? I haven't seen

Rang de Basanti

. Unfortunately, I don't get the time to see all the films I'd like.

How was it shooting in Sri Lanka? Did you carry the role home with you?

I did a fair amount of research and preparation for

Water

. That's the part of filmmaking I enjoy the most. And not just the character, I carried the entire experience of working on

Water

back with me.

I feel very fortunate to have been part of a film like this. I believe in the law of manifestation too.. what you put out is what you get back.

Obviously, Deepa Mehta is a director who can get the nod from you where others fail. Is there a third project with her coming up?
Deepa is a director I would do anything for. However, I'm also an individual who invests in the moment. I think neither of the past nor the future and allow existence to take care of me.

So, at this moment, I'm just grateful for the memories I have of working with Deepa who I'm pleased to call a friend and mentor. Third time lucky? Sure, why not?

When you look back at your Mumbai days, what are the memories that come back.. the good and the bad?
I rarely look back.. or forward for that matter. India is in my blood and travels with me wherever I go. It's part of my fabric.. it's part of what makes Lisa Ray unique. But I don't feel the need to be in India.

What is the one thing you miss most about India.. and Hindi cinema?
How could I miss just one thing about India, it's the whole interactive experience, baby!

Has Lisa Ray changed much in the years since?
Of course I've changed. This question makes me remember the Leonard Cohen song, Girl, you'll be a woman soon. I'm both more of a woman and more of a child today.. and a kick-ass actress!