My best role is from my Tamil film Taj Mahal: Riya Sen

Riya Sen, granddaughter of legendary Suchitra Sen, made her debut with Love You Hamesha. Despite a lacklustre debut, her next release Style brought her to the limelight. With movies like Jhankar Beats and Plan she is slowing finding her way in Bollywood. Read transcript of a chat with Riya Sen on May 17, 2004.

laughingbuddha: Does being Suchitra Sen's granddaughter put unnecessary pressure on you?
Riya Sen: No it doesn't. I am proud to be that way.

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laughingbuddha: Is there sibling rivalry between Raima and you?
Riya_Sen: No. Not at all!

sonia: You acted very well in Jhankaar Beats. How did you prepare for the role?
Riya_Sen: I didn't really have anytime to prepare because I doing another film before that.

abhi_rs: Which type of roles would you like to do in future?
Riya_Sen: Any actor will like to do all kind of roles. I am not restricted to do one particular.

rahul: Why don't you do more movies?
Riya_Sen: I am not in a hurry and I am doing more films.

akashvas: Which films do you currently have in hand?
Riya_Sen: I am starting to do a film next month and one in August.
But none of them have a title as yet.

laughingbuddha: How would you define a 'meaty role'? I mean, what's your kind of a 'meaty role'?
Riya_Sen: It could be a short role which has a lot potential. It could be a lengthy role, depends upon how you look at it.

akashvas: Do you have any film lined up with Raima?
Riya_Sen: Yes. It's a comedy and we are considering another film together. We've got an offer.

meena: How do you feel when you are paired with your co-stars and friends?
Riya_Sen: I am immune to them by now.

jagat: What is your opinion about Sonia Gandhi as the new Prime Minister?
Riya_Sen: I think it's very good for her. I think she deserves it.

abhi_rs: Is there any particular actor with whom you would love to act?
Riya_Sen: Brad Pitt

akashvas: Do you have plans to shift base to Mumbai or stay on in your hometown Kolkata?
Riya_Sen: I stay in Mumbai.

rohan: How do you feel about Jhankaar Beats winning Houston film fest award?
Riya_Sen: It's greaaaaaaaat!

Monica: What is your opinion about Mallika Sherawat?
Riya_Sen: I think she is a good actress.

Angel: What kind of music do you prefer? Did you go for the Enrique concert in Mumbai?
Riya_Sen: Yeah, I did go for the Enrique concert! Umm... all kinds. Not particularly stuck to anyone.

abhi_rs: What is so special about Brad Pitt?
Riya_Sen: He's good looking and a good actor.

Chaman: How important is education in Bollywood?
Riya_Sen: It is important. But not just in Bollywood, it is important in any profession.

akashvas: Which foreign destinations serve as your ideal holiday spot
Riya_Sen: South of France

abhi_rs: What is your take on Hollywood? Will you like to go, if you get an offer?
Riya_Sen: Yeah, I would!

smita: There are many actresses that have names similar to yours in Bollywood. There is Reema, Raima (your sister) and a Rima Sen. Doesn't it cause confusion?
Riya_Sen: I think Riya is different from the others. How can they sound similar?

Sonia: How did you get your first break?
Riya_Sen: I got at a time when I wasn't expecting it. I was in class X.

akashvas: At the ongoing Cannes film festival, do you feel the jury is upto the mark? Have you been there?
Riya_Sen: I guess it would be upto the mark. There are very good people there who wouldn't choose anybody. But I haven't been there.

jolly: Have you been active in sports? Which are some of your favorite sports?
Riya_Sen: Not really.. maybe just swimming, and I used to play tennis and learn Karate. But right now I am not into it at all. I like watching soccer and my favourite club is Manchester United.

akashvas: What if you are offered a Bond girl role opposite Brosnan?
Riya_Sen: I would do it!

warren: Which are your favourite places to be in Mumbai?
Riya_Sen: My home.

girish: In this elections, a lot of movie stars joined politics. Whom did you support? Are you planning to join politics after sometime?
Riya_Sen: No. I haven't thought of it as yet.

ronna: Is training required for being a good actress?
Riya_Sen: Depends, if you are not a spontaneous actor, you will have to go through some sort of training.

satya: Which all brands are you endorsing now?
Riya_Sen: Right now it's only Dabur Vatika.

investigator: How close are you to the character of Preeti in Jhankar Beats?
Riya_Sen: I am not close to her at all. I am closer to my character in Qayamat.

jonna: Are you planning to do theatre?
Riya_Sen: I don't mind it but not now. Maybe after 3-4 years I might give it a try.

rupinder: How do you decide upon a movie?
Riya_Sen: It depends in totally - the package, director, producer, my role - I guess the whole package.

abhi_rs: Do you have any interest in cricket?
Riya_Sen: No. I don't like cricket but I have cricketer friends - Yuvraj and Harbhajan.

akashvas: Do you feel Rebacca Loos tried to cheat Beckham or the whole exercise was kind of true?
Riya_Sen: I really have no clue about that!

papa: Name some of the directors you have liked working with?
Riya_Sen: My favourite one was one called Bharti Raja - for a Tamil movie I did. It was a movie called Taj Mahal. You watch the movie and you will know why he is my favourite.

laughingbuddha: Which is your best role so far?
Riya_Sen: My best is yet to come. Maybe this Tamil film.

abhi_rs1: Do you have other movies with Sanju in near future?
Riya_Sen: Not as of now.

akashvas: Who is your all time inspirational idol?
Riya_Sen: My mother.

jagat: How difficult is it to work in a language that is not natural to you (say like Tamil)?
Riya_Sen: It was difficult because I learnt it only one and a half year back.

laughingbuddha: Who are you more like - your ma or your dad or your grandma?
Riya_Sen: Exactly like my mom.

akashvas: Is any film being planned where Moon Moon Sen plays your mother in reel life?
Riya_Sen: No. Not yet!

frank: How did you get so obsessed with fishes?
Riya_Sen: My mom used to paint fishes and I used to pick it up.

laughingbuddha: Why do you think West Bengal goes for CPI(M) always?
Riya_Sen: I really don't know. I guess it is the strongest there.

abhi_rs1: You looked superb in Plan... I wish you got a bigger role in the film?
Riya_Sen: It was supposed to. I don't know what happened. But then again the movie did not do that well, so everything happened for the better.

abhi_rs: What is your favourite food?
Riya_Sen: Bhutanese.

Naveenraj: Whom do you attribute your beautiful eyes and face to?
Riya_Sen: My mother, father and grandma.

laughingbuddha: What do you do to remain fit?
Riya_Sen: I go to a gym called Syks. I also am a Kathak dancer and practice it regularly.

abhi_rs1: Certainly yes. But with your counterparts like Mallika and Priyanka going for more skin show how do you plan to keep yourself intact?
Riya_Sen: Each one is upto their own. I guess it upto them. Everyone has got his or her limits and so do I. It's just a little more.

abhi_rs: Who do you think is the most beautiful actress in Indian cinema?
Riya_Sen: Aishwarya Rai.

akashvas: What values will you eye for in your man?
Riya_Sen: Someone who is mature, intelligent, understanding and doesn't easily get influenced by other people.

Thank you so much for joining us today Riya!
Riya_Sen: Thank you so much everyone for being there and talking to me!
I hope you keep watching all my movies. Wish you all the best for what all you do!