'Men don't know how to woo anymore'

Koel Puri is still what you call a newcomer to Bollywood, though she has been seen in a few films like White Noise. As her latest Mixed Doubles rakes in some good reviews, she talks to Priyanka Jain about movies and how she is the entertainment factor in her family. Excerpts:

Tell us about your role in Mixed Doubles

I play Vandana, Vinod's (Rajat Kapoor) wife. I am a sort of an item girl. Even though it's an offbeat film, I provide the material, the oomph factor in the film.

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I am a character who is very sure of herself, who knows exactly what her desires are, exactly what she wants out of life and who is not interested in any moral judgements. She is like: 'This is what I am, this is what I want; you either be with me -- if you can give what I want -- or else goodbye'.

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They are pleasantly surprised by Vandana's character. You know when people are genuinely like that and it's not a show or pretence, then you have to just sort of accept these characters. In real life, I have a glimpse of shades of this character but I don't behave like that. I think as a person I am not so sure of myself as Vandana. And I don't think I am as in-your-face as this character is.

The look of your house in the film is pretty different.

Rajat's wife Meenal has done the production design of the film. She herself is an insulation artist and sculptor. So she put those aeroplanes in my bedroom that you see hanging from the wall. The set has been used as part of the character in the film. Like the first dialogue I say to Sunil when he enters my room is, 'Do you like my plane?'

Does your appearance also talk?

My clothes are very feminine, yet quite bohemian. There is no make up, which gives it a very sexy and throaty appeal.

So far we have seen you in American Daylight, White Noise and now Mixed Doubles – all of which cater to a specific genre. Have you considered commercial Bollywood films?

I have already done a massive commercial Bollywood film called Mera Dil Leke Dekho. It was my first film, which has five songs, five dances. It's a complete mainstream Bollywood heroine's role.

In Nazar, I play a middle class Maharastrian cop. So I have done typical Bollywood films and I will do a lot more. I am picky. I must be able to relate to the script. There is no way I want to limit myself to one kind of cinema, one kind of genre -- ever.

I have grown up watching Bollywood films, I know them inside out. My favourites are Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Rani Mukerji. Though none of my family members are in Bollywood, it is my home ground.

I just haven't been here for a while. I was in London for about seven years. I studied at a drama school there and then started working in British theatre, television and films. Now that I am here, I am taking up a lot more Bollywood offers.

What kind of roles do you want to play?

I want to play every kind of role in every kind of film in every language. Any role that interests me. Actually when I am told about a role and it sort of scares me -- 'oh my god how am I going to do that' -- that is the kind of challenge I need to accept a role.

What are your other interests?

I love hanging out with my friends. I am an exercise freak as well. Whenever I have time, I am doing yoga, kickboxing and go for walks to Carter Road [in Bandra, a western suburb of Mumbai]. I enjoy eating out. I do a lot of reading -- but that I do even when I don't have time. I am a compulsive reader.

Tell us a bit about your family?

I am the amusement factor in the family of five. I have an elder sister and a younger brother. Even when I go to see my grandparents for a chai (tea), I have to do a performance. It amuses them. I will keep one of my shooting outfits in the bag and I will wear that when I visit them so they can laugh at me. I am the nautanki (drama) in the family. They look forward to see the crazy things I do. I have to live up to that. So I am permanently thinking of new ways to make them laugh.

What are you currently working on?

I am doing a British film called Losing Jemma, a Canadian film, Look Alike, is also ready for release, and the postproduction of Mera Dil Leke Dekho with Puneet Tejwani -- who is a newcomer -- has just finished.

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