Soha wants to be wicked and funny on screen

Dec 6, 2007 Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Dec 7 (IANS) Her sweet and delicate presence in her last release "Ahista Ahista" was built on her image of an unspoilt beauty in pursuit of life's mysteries, but Soha Ali Khan is keen to change that by doing funny and dark roles.

"'Ahista Ahista' was the first film to feature me as 'the heroine'. So far I've been part of ensemble casts like 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Pyaar Mein Twist'. Yeah, I agree films like 'Antarmahal', 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Ahista Ahista' have had me play timid characters, though I'm not the least like that in real life. I'd like to do something funny and maybe something a little dark," Soha, whose "Khoya Khoya Chand" was released Friday, told IANS.

"I think I've been vulnerable often enough on screen. Now I'd like to tap other aspects of my personality. That opportunity to play a darker character than the characters I generally play would occur in Sudhir Mishra's 'Khoya Khoya Chand'. I want to do something that would make people laugh. In real life I've a lot of self-confidence and I think I've a sense of humour."

Soha is happy with her career.

"I'm happy with the kind of roles I'm getting. I want to discover the limits of my range so that I'd know where to go. I'm pleased I'm getting to work with directors like Rituparno Ghosh, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Shivam Nair and Sudhir Mishra. I'm working with directors who will teach me a lot. I'm glad after 'Rang De Basanti' I'm doing something as different."

The only films Soha has signed post-"Rang De Basanti" are the ones with Sudhir Mishra and Aparna Sen.

"I haven't signed on anything else. Many of the offers are highly avoidable. I'm told I'm very accommodating at the time of reading a script and I'm very critical when the film comes out. I'm told it should be the other way around."

The actress takes her advice from her mother.

"Finally I go by my own instincts. But, yes, amma watches all my films. She loved 'Rang De Basanti'. She thought the film was far better than the script."

Soha brushes off rumours of a link-up with Abhay Deol.

"They say we're more than friends because we go to the same gym. A lot of people go to the same gym. That's hardly reason to link us together. But I'm not going to let such talk affect my friendship with Abhay. We know where we stand.

"I don't think I give people reason to believe I'm involved with any of my co-stars. I'm just a normal friendly girl. I'm sensible enough to handle myself with dignity. Even though my mother doesn't come to the sets I've someone accompanying me all the time. My spot boy is someone who has been with our family for 13 years. He's my bodyguard-cum-manager."

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Khoya Khoya Chand