JOIN US'Have become more cautious about my Bollywood roles'
Moushumi Chatterjee has kept away from Bollywood for quite some time and the yesteryear actress has attributed her previous bad experiences in the Hindi film industry to her absence.
The 62-year-old actress, whose last Bollywood film was Zindaggi Rocks in 2006, said there have been several occasions in the past where she has been duped by filmmakers and that has made her wary of doing films in B-Town.
“There are so many people who enter the film industry and they just make proposals but not complete it. I have been witness to all that. Sometimes people tell you it is a fantastic role but while shooting it becomes something else, after editing it is different and post release you don’t know what happened.
“There have been occasions where I have felt very cheated because my role ultimately turned out to be something that I had not signed up for. I have been in very bad phase. I don't want to go through these unhappy incidents again. Now I am very particular about my roles in Bollywood,” Chatterjee told PTI.
The actress may have been absent from the Mumbai film industry but has been part of acclaimed Bengali films like Goynar Baksho and The Japanese Wife in the meantime.She returns to Bollywood after a gap of nine years with Shoojit Sircar’s family comedy-drama Piku, and she said from now on she will get on-board a project if there is proper paperwork.
“Whatever I do after this I want a detailed contract. I don't want to hear that my role was cut because of some reason and so on. If the editing is good for the film it is fine but they need to inform me before,” she said.
The actress, who has starred in several Hindi films in the late ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s including Balika Badhu, Anurag, Angoor and Natak, said she agreed to do Piku as she loved Sircar’s earlier movies – Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe.
“I did this because of Shoojit Sircar. I loved his last two films. But it took me almost 4-5 months to say yes to the project. Ultimately, I agreed to do it as I have complete faith in him and I knew he will do justice to my role,” she said.
Piku will also reunite Chatterjee with Amitabh Bachchan onscreen. The duo have starred together in films like Manzil, Benaam and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan.
“I am glad I decided to do the film. I met Amit after a long time. He has not changed a bit. Like before, even now he is very energetic and very professional. It is amazing to see him do what he does even at this age,” the actress said.
Chatterjee said she is open to do more roles in Bollywood now provided they are well-sketched, substantial and an important part of the storyline.
“I am a lazy actress. I have to be very motivated to do films. I don’t mind doing few scenes in a movie but it has to be something substantial. I have to do something meaningful because at the end of the day I have to feel satisfied,” she said.