'Fatso' is my first love story: Gul Panag
Former Miss India turned actress Gul Panag is excited about her upcoming film 'Fatso', which she says is her first love story.
"'Fatso' is my first love story, I have never done a proper love story before. We wanted to name it 'A Rectangular Love Story' as it involves three men in love with one woman," Panag said.
Directed by Rajat Kapoor, the movie was recently screened at the South Asian Film Festival in New York. Panag has teamed up with the likes of Ranvir Shorey and Purab Kohli for the movie.
"I am really happy the film has got good reviews at the festival in New York. I like working with people like Ranvir Shorey and Rajat Kapoor," said Panag, on the sidelines of the Youth Theatre Festival in the national capital.
The 30-year-old actress, who made her Bollywood debut with 'Dhoop' in 2003, went on to star in off-beat films like 'Dor' and 'Straight' which have won her critical acclaim.
Talking about her choice of films, Panag said, "I am doing stuff that will look good ten years down the line also. At this stage of my career, I am looking for roles which are relevant to the plot."
The actress says that she has had a hang of the glamour world when she contested for the Miss India pageant and won the title in 1999 and is not lured by the mere shine of it anymore.
"I don't want to act in films which require me to apply a lot of make up and look good. I have been there done that and it is not exciting for me anymore," said Panag.
She might be only a few films old in Bollywood, but the actress has her mind set on the path which she wants to tread in her career.
"Fortunately for me, I have realised the kinds of films I want to do and I am making my choice according to that. There are good filmmakers like Prakash Jha, Abhinay Deo and Rajkumar Hirani, who I am willing to work with," said Panag, who is working with Jha for his upcoming film but is tight-lipped about the project.
Although she is into films only, Panag's training in acting actually began with theatre.
"My only training in acting was when I attended a summer theatre workshop in England while I was studying there," said the Chandigarh-born actress.
Given the fact that a number of established Bollywood actors have a theatre background, Panag is also willing to do theatre sometime, but has no time right now to make such a commitment.
"If you want to participate in a play, you will have to give it three or four months in order to rehearse. I have committed my time to my films and endorsements already," said Panag.
"Right now, I am more comfortable in the medium of films. But I am in search of a good play and will certainly do it if I get one," she added.
