Your character has given up everything for her marriage. Is inequality still a problem for married women in India?
It’s not like all marriages are bad! In India, there is a lot more belief when it
comes to the institution of marriage and women are more resilient, more emotionally strong so they’re the ones who keep the marriage going. That’s what we tried to represent in Metro.Love flies out of the window very soon, in all marriages, whether it be in India or the world and what stays is companionship, understanding and respect. Some people make the choice of getting out of a marriage and some can’t, especially in India.
Women tend to stay in the marriage because of social pressure, social responsibility and the fact that they are married to the family, not just the man. They are a lot more willing to sacrifice which is what Shikha’s character represents.
Would you consider giving up work if you got married?
I would, mainly for myself. I think running a home is a full time job and women that balance both are truly fantastic. You have to be a superwoman to do that. I’ve enjoyed doing what I’ve been doing all this time, I love what I do, but I’m sure my home would become my priority after I’m married.
Has this put you off the idea of marriage?
No, not at all. I just haven’t found the right person, someone I wanted to give it all up for. The day I find that person I will. I’m not saying I definitely won’t work after marriage, because I am a workaholic, but maybe not this much.
Is it difficult for the UK audiences to understand the old-fashioned values seen in Bollywood films?
I don’t think so. It’s introducing a different culture. It’s like watching French cinema, because their culture is different too. We are not trying to ape the West. We are what we are and we’re proud of it.
We didn’t want this to be a crossover movie but the timing has been impeccable with the Big Brother thing and all that. At the end of it all I think what works at the box office is the script.
Are you pleased that you took part Big Brother?
Yes, I’m very happy I did that. There were some good times I had in the house but people don’t seem to remember that! There were some hard times but that’s life. It’s not always a bed of roses and in the Big Brother house it was a very different life.
Did you feel that all British people were like Jade, Jo and Danielle when you left the house?
No. That would be a terrible way to look at it. There are people in India who aren’t perfect but it’s not a reflection of the whole of India.
That recent furore about the Richard Gere incident was just a minority of voices. That’s not the sensibility of India, so in that way I don’t believe that any generalisation is right or fair.
Jade (Goody) is definitely not the representation of Great Britain. I have met some lovely people, some very warm people and some very cultured people here and I have some wonderful memories.
When Richard Gere kissed you, did you realise immediately that it would cause a fuss?
I knew it would make headlines. I thought it was a great photo opportunity for the media but I had no idea the moral brigade would jump in and try to seek mileage out of it.
It was unfortunate because we were there for a very good cause and that were hijacked completely. We were there to spread the awareness of the AIDS and HIV campaign that Richard and I are both very passionate about.
Were you angry with Richard at all?
No, I wasn’t angry with him. He’s a good man and he’s been working towards this cause for the last eight to ten years. How could I possibly hold it against him?
Have you had any offers from Hollywood?
Yes, but it’s too early to talk about them. I hope something materialises and soon you’ll hear about it, if it happens.
Would you like to work with Richard?
Sure, why not? He’s a fantastic actor. Every woman at some point in her life must have visualised him as her dream man, especially after Pretty Woman. I did! He’s such a gracious, humble and good human being.
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