Bengali women are exceptional: Rimii Sen

Mumbai, Nov 19 (IANS) She has romanced hot and happening Bollywood actors on screen, but the dusky Rimii Sen is dying to play character with negative shades.

"I want to play an avenging angel - like Urmila Matondkar in 'Ek Hasina Thi' or Madhuri Dixit in 'Mrityudand'," Rimii told Bollywood Trade in an interview.

Rimii is ready for her next big release, "Deewane Huye Paagal", on Nov 25 after starring opposite Abhishek Bachchan in "Dhoom", Akshay Kumar in "Garam Masala" and Salman Khan in "Kyon Ki".

She also feels Bengali women are exceptional when it comes to performing arts like cinema, theatre and dance. Here are excerpts from the interview:

Rimii Sen is hot and happening these days but prefers keeping a low profile. Why is that?

At the end of the day, my work must speak for itself. I've never been the sort to cultivate the media or attend parties to be seen and written about. If I don't have a release, what do I talk about in my interviews? I'd rather speak when I have a film. I've come up the hard way and know what it takes to reach where I've reached. Anyway, I must admit that the media has been very kind to me so far. I haven't been at the receiving end of any negative publicity or salacious gossip!

You're among the privileged newcomers to have worked with Akshaye Khanna, Abhishek Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan in your first few films themselves. How does it feel?

I couldn't agree more! I have to thank Venus and Priyan sir (Priyadarsan) for giving me "Hungama" opposite Akshaye Khanna and Aftab Shivdasani. I even did a small role for Ravi sir (Ravi Chopra) in "Baghban". It was an absolute pleasure working with Sanjay Gadhvi and Aditya Chopra in "Dhoom" and Abhishek has come up phenomenally as an actor.

Priyan sir repeated me in "Kyon Ki" opposite Salman and Kareena Kapoor, and then Firoz sir signed me for two films - "Deewane Huye Paagal" and "Phir Hera Pheri" opposite Akshay Kumar. So I must admit that I've had a fantastic innings so far and didn't have to start my career doing B and C grade films.

After Kajol, Rani Mukherjee, Bipasha Basu and many others, everyone's calling Rimii Sen the next Bengali to storm Bollywood. Comment?

I can't even think of comparing myself to these women. They're far ahead of me. But, yes, Bengalis in general are very inclined towards performing arts. Look at filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Mrinal Sen - they're all geniuses.

Bengali women are exceptional as far as music, dance, theatre and cinema are concerned; of course, everybody doesn't have it in them. I know of so many Bengalis who came to Bollywood to become stars, but eventually packed their bags and headed back to Kolkata.

How does it feel to have four men (Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Shahid Kapur and Suniel Shetty) chasing you in "Deewane Huye Paagal"?

(Laughs) Rather flattering, if I may say so! "Deewane Huye Paagal" is a very cute romantic comedy about the extent to which four men (including Paresh Rawal) will go to marry one woman! I am also the only girl in the film so I'm looking forward to its release. It's a film that's as commercial as it gets. You're meant to leave your brains behind and watch it for all its masala, grandeur, madness and fun.

What is your role in "Deewane Huye Paagal"?

I'm playing a simple but confident girl, Natasha, who lives in Dubai. The film is set there. I can't reveal how the foursome ends up in Dubai but they are all there to look for me.

Which are your forthcoming films?

After "Deewane Huye Paagal", there is Firoz sir's "Phir Hera Pheri" with Akshay, Paresh, Suniel and Bipasha. I'm also working on Rohit Shetty's "Golmaal" with Ajay Devgan, Tusshar Kapoor and Arshad Warsi. I've also signed a film with Sriram Raghavan (called "Johnny Gadaar") who made "Ek Hasina Thi". There have been some more good offers coming by but I will only sign them after "Deewane Huye Paagal" releases.

Is there a role you're dying to play?

I want to play an avenging angel - like Urmila Matondkar in "Ek Hasina Thi" or Madhuri Dixit in "Mrityudand". Even what Rani (Mukerji) did in "Black".

Is there a man in your life?

My career has started on a very encouraging wicket. I've done top-notch work and have some more good stuff coming up. So there are no plans of marrying immediately or my career will go for a toss! In any case, I have no man in my life at the moment because I am very fussy when it comes to men. So I'd rather wait patiently before my knight in shining armour comes by! (Smiles) Knowing me, I'll end up marrying a non-filmi man but not for another five years at least!

What's your message for your overseas fans?

Everybody should go and watch "Deewane Huye Paagal" on Nov 25 because it's a fun film, a mad film. You won't regret the two and a half hours you spent in the theatre. Mazaa aayega!

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