A new beginning (Interview of preity zinta)

• Your first film as a producer is scheduled to be released. How does it feel? When I started the film, I was happy to be back in the movie business. Teaming with Prem Soni (director) was also wonderful. He is a friend. Before we started work on the film, I had decided that besides being entertaining, it will have an important message for the audience. I am a happy camper, and am excitedly waiting to see the reaction to my first film. At the same time, there is a part of me which is nervous too. As far as my expectations are concerned, I feel, having put in my best efforts, the final outcome should be good. (Takes a pause) I know I sound very intellectual here, but let me admit that if the film doesn’t work at the box-office, I am going to kill myself and everybody associated with the project. This movie is my first baby, I will be depressed if it crashes. Having said that, I would just take it as an experience. Tomorrow, I can just turn around and say that I atleast tried doing something different. It is like —- first the baby crawls, then it starts walking and finally it runs. 
• For a first-time producer, was there any situation when you thought of giving it all up? Making this film was super challenging. Firstly, both its producer and hero Rhehan Malliek are debutantes and director Prem Soni is just one film old. So this constant pressure itself motivated me to go ahead and complete the film. Had it been very easy, the challenge of making it would be lost. 
• What did you learn while working on this project? When I started shooting for the film, with a  newcomer in the lead, I realised that it was not an easy task. One has to have a lot of patience while working with freshers. In fact at one point of time, I even sent a text message to both Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha Koirala, thanking them for the immense patience they had shown when I had worked with them in my first film, Dil Se. Rhehan is a good learner but initially he had problems facing the camera. He did not know where to stand or how to move. I recollected my debut days when Shah Rukh would guide me and provide cues on how to face the camera. So later I sent them both a thank you note for being nice to me. As an actress, you get to concentrate only on yourself, but here apart from acting, I was also doing my duty as a producer. I had no time to sit and think about my make up, hair and stardom. Instead, my focus was on guiding Rhehan to give his best. 
• Your production house is called PZNZ Media, after you and your mother Neelu Zinta. Is she also involved in the production? Mom’s input was that she produced a healthy baby like me, so that I could produce a film! (Laughs). Well, she didn’t give any creative inputs as such, but she was always there to support me. She accompanied me to Paris for the film’s entire schedule. She was my chef and cooked amazing food. 
• Tell us about your experience while shooting in Paris. Believe me, it’s a whole new world out there, but thankfully we managed! The problem in Paris is that, the streets are very narrow. So when shooting on a street, the entire road is blocked with all the shooting equipments, creating problems for the pedestrians. Frankly, it is extremely difficult to shoot there and I think we should get a medal for making the film in that country. 
• What was the reaction from the locals? I was surprised that a lot of locals recognised me. In their cute French accent, they would say- “I love Bollywood, I love Bollywood”. They would address me by the names of my characters like Naina from Kal Ho Na Ho or Zara from Veer Zara. I believe, these films did exceptionally well in Paris. 
• Now that promotions have started, tell us more about your film. I would say that Ishkq In Paris is a very contemporary film, set in present times. There is also an emotional connect to it. It also has a message for the audience. In the film, I play an Indian living in Paris, who is a photographer, working in the fashion industry. Before going on floors, in an interview with Screen, you had said that Ishkq In Paris is a low budget film. 
• Would you still say that? Well, I wouldn’t say that now! Actually, I went overboard and spent a lot of money. When I started the film, I was prepared with a budget, to shoot in one of the most expensive cities of the world. But the cold weather there and the constant on-going strikes played spoil sport. We experienced the coldest winter in the 65 years of Europe’s history. Looking back, I would have preferred to make it on a smaller budget. 
• With the weather playing truant, were you happy with the way the film was shot? Yes, we got some brilliant shots. We wanted a winter vibe as a theme in the background. And the cold weather worked in our favour. Paris is very different during winters. There is a certain starkness to Paris when it snows there, the colors are richer, the city has a crispness, all the elements that I wanted for my film. Interestingly, we will see your niece acting in the film. Her role is not very significant in the film. We needed kids for a scene, where they are just running around. Since my niece was in town with her family, I contacted her and she agreed to be a part of the scene. 
• Is it true that Salman Khan is also associated with this film? Salman is my absolute hero. He is the one person who has always been close to my heart. He has supported me and stood by me. His contribution to the film— almost 50 per cent of it — was his, in the form of opinions and suggestions. We have picturised one song on him in Mumbai. He was very co-operative. We would go to his house for lunch. He even attended a music sitting with Sajid-Wajid. I am grateful to him for being there. 
• How would you rate the music of the film? I feel the music has come out extremely well. The music directors have hit a sixer with Ishkq In Paris album. During the sitting, I had told Sajid-Wajid, ‘Do you see these five fingers, I want a fist.’ So they came up with five fantastic numbers, equally distinct from each other. I clearly told them that the part picturised in Paris should reflect the country’s ambience, while the portions shot in India should reflect our music. 
• What will your next production be? I don’t know! Somewhere down the line, I feel as a producer, I am being completely negligent over the fact that I am an actor first. All I’m looking forward to is my film’s release and then shooting for Bhaiyaji Superhit with Sunny Deol. After all the hardwork, I want to be the star on the set, no production problems, no running around for permissions, or cops to deal with. Just me, my make-up, hair, clothes and all the stardom. I want to enjoy being an actress. Apart from Bhaiyaji Superhit, you were to play the role of a gangster in a Tigmanshu Dhulia film. Is it happening? Yes, but I believe in doing one film at a time. Currently my focus is Ishkq In Paris first and thenBhaiyaji Superhit. Source: Screen India

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