Mixed... not a sex comedy: Konkona | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Mixed... not a sex comedy: Konkona

None | ByIndo-Asian News Service, Mumbai
Mar 13, 2006 03:19 PM IST

She describes it as a "marital film". Konkona's profile | View pics | Film review

Konkona SenSharma is upset that her latest release Mixed Doubles is being compared to a sex comedy.

HT Image
HT Image

"I completely object to the term sex comedy. If it was a sex comedy I wouldn't be in it," said Konkona of the film that deals with the controversial subject of spouse swapping.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"To me Mixed Doubles is a marital film. What works for it is that it doesn't take itself seriously in any obvious way. And yet there's a lot of dignity in it," Konkona said in an interview.

She also denied she was romantically involved with Ranvir Shorey, her co-star in the Rajat Kapoor-directed film.

"I don't want to respond to these rumours. Let people say what they want."

Excerpts from the interview:

You were outstanding in 15 Park Avenue. I wonder who will get the National Award you or Rani ...
I hope she (Rani Mukerji) gets it. Rani was very good in Black. I adore Rani. And I've already got one for Mr & Mrs Iyer.

Konkona Sensharma is upset that her latest release Mixed Doubles is being compared to a sex comedy.

You worked really hard on your character in

15 Park Avenue

?


Yes, I did. You know, people don't really make me work that hard. I wish I could be motivated by myself or by my director to work harder. I'd love to. I'm basically lazy. I need that push in the right direction. My mom knows how to get me motivated. She believes in a lot of preparation before shooting.

Well Page 3 looked easy.
I could've been better in Page 3. It was shot over a long period of time. That always dilutes the graph of a performance. You know, different directors give such different directions. It's only after the film you realise why certain things are done. For example, my mother is very particular about certain colours on the set. During shooting I wonder what the fuss is about. Only later do I realise what she wanted to achieve with that colour.

And now you move into a light sex comedy in Mixed Doubles.
I completely object to the term sex comedy. Mixed Doubles isn't just about sex, much in the same way that Mr & Mrs Iyer wasn't only about communal issues, and 15 Park Avenue wasn't only about schizophrenia. If it was a sex comedy I wouldn't be in it.

But a sex comedy doesn't have to be dirty.

To begin with, I don't have any problems with dirty movies at all. They should be made if people want to see them. But I don't think I'd be comfortable doing one. To me

Mixed Doubles

is a marital film. What works for it is that it doesn't take itself seriously in any obvious way. And yet there's a lot of dignity in it.

How did you react when the director narrated the concept of wife swapping?
I didn't get nervous. I've too much respect for the director, Rajat Kapoor. I had heard so much about his plays. I had seen him in Monsoon Wedding, and his first film as director Raghu Romeo. I didn't think he'd make something sleazy or banal. And even if he did I couldn't imagine why he'd come to me with it.

And it isn't as if I trusted Rajat blindly. I read the script. I did have a couple of reservations. But it was a sweet and funny script. I was concerned that the theme of a marriage gone sour may not come through. But it did. You know many marriages do go stale.

"I am not involved with Ranvir Shorey, my co-star in Mixed Doubles."

Is that the point that attracted you to the script?


Also, the fact that it says women also have a libido, that women also want to have sex. Very few films address themselves to a woman's sexual appetite.

But your character comes across as immensely docile?
Yes, but there're women like my character in Mixed Doubles. And I've played very strong characters also. But I'd rather play my characters compassionately than be judgemental about them. People are weak and fragile and strong at the same time. There're so many people who are like the girl in Mixed Doubles. And who knows, somewhere deep inside she might actually want to know what wife swapping is like.

It's quite funny. I don't think it's a cinematic breakthrough. I'd be lucky to have one or two of those in my career. I was so comfortable doing the film. It was made on a shoestring budget, so I knew I wasn't doing it for money. I just wanted to work with this crew and cast, including Naseeruddin Shah in that little cameo as my father. I had a blast.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On