She started her Bollywood career opposite Ajay Devgan in the 2004 film Qayamat. Five years and many films later, Neha Dhupia says she has become conscious and cautious about the kind of roles she takes up. Catch her in conversation with Pankaj Sabnani from BIGOYE as she speaks about the kind of films that interest her, stardom, marriage and more...

 

You have done successful films like Singh is Kinng. Why do you still you keep a low profile?
I don’t know. The older I am getting into the industry, the more shy I am getting. I am trying to change that now by talking to you (smiles). With five films, I was really busy working day and night trying to cope with all the pressure. Now I am more relaxed.

 
It’s marriage season in Bollywood. Do you have any immediate plans of tying the knot?
It was nice talking to you. Bye (smiles). I was just kidding. But I have no plans to get married yet. My career is more important for the next few years. 

 

You have a huge line-up of films, right?
Yes, you are right.  I have got Pappu Can’t Dance Saala. It is a comedy film which is directed by Saurabh Shukla. I play a Maharashtrain backup dancer in that. It is very different from what I do in life. It was quite interesting. I ended up

spending a lot of time on location with real backup dancers. It was quite a wild time I had with them. They are really strong from within and you get to know a lot form them. On the whole it was fantastic. It is my third film with Saurabh Shukla. The first two being I am 24 and Raat Gayi Baat Gayi. Coming to Raat Gayi Baat Gayi, it is a film that talks about adultery and one night stand in the most comical way. I also have a film called De Dhana Dhan. It is with Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Katrina kaif. It is being directed by Priyadarshan. I also have a media based thriller called Raftar with Emran Hashmi. Paying Guest is another comedy film that I am doing. 
 

Are you

content with the way your career is progressing?
I am happy with the way it is progressing but I am not content. I will not say that I am in a great position now. But I am definitely happy with the kind of offers coming my way.

You have been doing small budget films with actors like Vinay Pathak, Rajat Kapoor etc.

Is it a conscious decision to do more meaningful cinema?
Yes, definitely. I think working with independent filmmakers has its own charm and I am so glad that I am getting the chance to work with them. It is a whole new ball game and glad they made me a part of it. It would have otherwise been a very big chunk of learning that I would have missed out on. It made me a better actor. In our industry, people turn up becoming stars before they become actors. I am glad that I am learning more and more about the craft everyday.