In this freewheeling interview held at J.W. Marriot over capuccino coffee, pretty IHANA DHILLON tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that she is glad to make her debut with Hate Story 4 though initially she was hesitant to do the film as she felt it would be a sleazy film.
Tell me about your background please!
I was based in US where I was a model. I was into basically a lot of ramp modeling. I hail from a place called Dabikhana in district Faridpur near Bhatinda. My dad Surinder Singh Pal treated me and my elder sister as boys and was a very progressive person who used to tell me that I should do what I wanted to do and not be bound by society. It was he who he sent me to US to study. My sister is a fashion designer
What lured you to acting?
I’d say that I was greatly inspired by Madhuri Dixit whose fan I still am. I try to copy all her expressions even today. She is so pretty. Though I have not met her at all till date, I am crazy to meet her and hug her. After coming back to India, I continued modeling for the ramp as well as the print shoots for three years and then decided to take up acting and enrolled at Barry John’s Acting Academy though I feel that acting is something which is actually in born.
How did you bag your first break as an actress?
I made my debut as a leading lady with a Punjabi film called Daddy Cool Munde Fools, which was a great family comedy, followed by three more films. They were Tiger, Thug Life and Jee Karda, a period film which is yet to see the light of the day.
How did you bag the offer to act in Hate Story 4?
Luckily I did not have to struggle a lot to get my break as an actress in Bollywood. I did a Punjabi video for T Series. The producer of Hate Story 4 saw it and asked me if I would like to be part of the film.
Did you say yes readily?
To tell you the truth, initially I was hesitant to be a part of what I felt would be a sleazy film because I was warned that I’d end up getting labeled with a sexy image if I acted in Hate Story 4 because Hate Story and Hate Story 3 were steamy but I am glad I decided to act in the film
What is your role in the film?
I play a corporate girl in the film which is a thriller based on a real life incident and my co-stars are Vivaan Bhatena and Karan Wahi, besides of course Urvasi Rautela. It is out and out a woman oriented story
Do you have any qualms sharing the screen with Urvasi Rautela?
Though I was warned that Urvasi Rautela will come on the sets with a lot of baggage and start throwing tantrums, I was pleasantly surprised when she came to the sets not with baggage but only her mother and was very sweet. You would not believe this but Urvasi and I got along like a house on fire and the shooting was fun
Does it mean that your role is meatier than that of hers?
No. On the contrary, I do not hesitate to say that she has a meatier role than I have though we play parallel roles
What is your opinion about the casting couch prevalent in the film industry?
I have heard a lot about the prevalence of the syndrome of the casting couch in the film industry but, believe me or not, luckily I have not been subjected to any such horrific experience at all.
Is it true that you have exposed a lot in Hate Story 4?
Look here. I do not have any problems with exposure as long as it is not forced or out of place and vulgar. If exposure is a part of the script and a requirement, I am ready for exposure. If exposure is presented classily and does not look vulgar, I am game for it.
How open are you to indulge in lip to lip kissing in films?
Though the Punjabi audience is very conservative and I have till date not indulged in any lip lock as far as Punjabi films are concerned, I know that I will be expected to do kissing scenes in Hindi films. In any case, if I am indulging in kissing in my films in Hindi, I am only into my character. Thanks to Vishal Pandya who made me comfortable, I could essay my role easily.
Who are your favorite actors?
Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabhji and Irrfan Khan are my all time favorites, besides of course Madhuri Dixit
Is there any dream director with whom you would love to work with?
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Sanjay Leela Bhansali
How open are you to do a TV serial, besides films?
I did receive an offer to be a part of a TV serial but I said no because I am not at all interested in playing the same character for three years or doing a 9 to 5 shift in say Mira Road or Naigaon every day. I like to be part of only films where you get to learn by working with different actors.
Are you open for web series?
I am also open to do web series, because they are catching up in a big way. Look at Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Richa Chaddha etc. They are all part of the web series today and they are also doing well.
What is your view on sex?
There is a lot of difference between sex and rape. What is sex? Sex is something which you enjoy if it is with someone who you love dearly. Only if you emotionally attached to someone will you be able to enjoy making love to him or her
Would you opt for a love marriage or an arranged marriage?
Any day, I’d prefer to go in for a love marriage because you get to spend a lot of time with the person unlike in arranged marriages and it is easier to know more about a person’s likes and dislikes though it is a fact that a lot of love marriages do not at all work these days. I’d opt for a proper wedding and not a live in marriage though
What do you hate in society today?
Though we all call ourselves very modern and have progressive views, it is sad that today double standards persist in society and people still feel that while the boys can have all the fun and the girls should be virgins. If a boy asks me whether I am a virgin, I’d retort by asking him whether he is also a virgin.
What next, after Hate Story 4?
It is now easier for me to approach different producers unlike earlier since Hate Story 4 is all set to release soon and I have a platform tom showcase my talent. Though I am open to do Punjabi films, I have become very choosy. As far as Hindi films are concerned, all that I can divulge as of now is that I have yet another film in the pipeline though I just cannot announce it.
