Premiering Paap in Pakistan was a big risk: Pooja Bhatt

Actress Pooja Bhatt says she endured a "big risk" by holding the premiere of her directorial debut 'Paap' at Karachi Film Festival in 2003 in Pakistan.

"When I took my film to Pakistan even before it was commercially released, everyone was shocked," Bhatt said on the sidelines of the South Asian Film Festival (SAFF) which is beginning from today.

'Paap', starring Udita Goswami and John Abraham, was the first Bollywood film to be premiered at Karachi International Film Festival.

"People in the industry were questioning my act of taking the film to the place which is hotbed of piracy that too before the film was released," the 'Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi' actress said.

Recalling how apprehensive she was while screening 'Paap' to a select and decent audience in Pakistan, the actress-turned-director said, "there was constant fear that someone might come with the video camera, shoot the film and make CD of it. I decided to take it as a personal responsibility and stick my neck out," she added.

The actress, who has directed flicks like Holiday (2006) and Dhokha (2007) among others, however, said piracy is a reality in the world of cinema today as a large number of audience can not afford to visit multiplexes to enjoy a movie of their choice.

Udita Goswami reveals her stylish side

You can never go wrong with blue jeans and white shirt, says actress Udita Goswami as she shares her style secrets

What is your style quotient?
Style is being yourself and comfortable, wearing what suits you and not a model or someone else. I hate wearing heels, it makes me uncomfortable and my back goes for a toss, so you'll rarely find me wearing heels unless it's for work. I am most comfortable in my jeans or leggings with a nice top and cool chappals so I wear that the most.

Your favourite colours
I am a very boring person. I mainly like earthy shades although I look good in bright colours. My friends keep telling me I should wear more colours.

Your must have accessories
I just love wearing my bracelets. It's something I can't do without. I also have this amazing collection of chappals. Every colour, any style. I just love them. My mother throws a fit every time I buy more and more chappals because I have so many.

Your idea of party wear
Depends on the kind of party. But if it's a formal work-related party then I take usually 45 minutes to an hour for my hair, make up and dressing up. I am always in my jeans otherwise I like to wear dresses when I go out. Dress is more girly which is so not me. So when I wear dresses I actually feel like I am going out then and even my attitude changes according to what I wear.

Your little experiments in style
I'm not really experimental but when I used to model I was once doing a fashion shoot with my then favourite and mad photographer Anand Seth and he actually made me put only baby oil on my face and eggs in my hair while wearing the most expensive designer outfits and shooting in the slums.

What has been your best fashion buy?
Oh all my expensive handbags! They last long, I have them in different sizes, so they could be used for travelling or any other purpose and occasion. Even if you wear something simple and not so branded but carry an expensive bag, your look is set.

Most extravagant fashion purchase
I keep buying stuff. Some don't even make any sense but I still buy.

Best fashion trend
The ever green, fitted light denim jeans and a feminine white shirt. In malmal or soft cotton. To add some colour, wear a funky neck accessory. You just can't go wrong.

Worst fashion trend
Hate it when guys show their under garment purposely which come higher than their jeans and think it's cool. They look like wanna-bes!

What designer item/s are on your fashion wish list?
I buy something only if I like it. But if you're buying something just to be the proud owner of a silly limited edition something, I would never blow my money. I think I have a face that can get me attention and I don't need to resort to carrying designer stuff.

If you had just 2 minutes to put together the perfect outfit - what would it be?
My blue jeans and white shirt if it's casual and a little black dress for a formal event. No thinking.

Right Now Udita Goswami's trip to Kashmir

Udita Goswami recently went on a trip to Kashmir for the first time, talks about the captivating charm of the valley and shares her memories.

Actor Udita Goswami surely doesn’t believe in all work and no play. So even though she is pretty busy these days, what with writing a script — a love story, even as she awaits the release of her film, Diary of a Butterfly, she took time out for a well-deserved break.

The actor recently visited Kashmir for the first time ever. She admits that she is now back with lots of romantic ideas for her script. Udita reveals that Kashmir has been on her dream destination list for a long time now as she’d been dying to see the heaven on earth. Udita’s dream was about to come true when a schedule of her upcoming film was slated to be shot in Kashmir but unfortunately it didn’t work out.

Udita will always be my support system

Actor Udita Goswami and filmmaker Mohit Suri split after she moved to Los Angeles. But the Murder 2 director insists she will always be his support system. Ask him if they are still in touch and he says: “Yes. She even stood by me after my father’s demise last month. We will always share a great rapport.”

Apparently, long distance became too much to handle for the couple. Last year, it was reported that Mohit was all set to marry Udita, but only if his film, Crook: It’s Good To Be Bad, turned out to be a success. Unfortunately, the Emraan Hashmi-starrer didn’t work at the box office.

“I don’t want to get into details about what went wrong. But the biggest problem is that we’re both very busy with our respective careers. Still, she has been extremely happy about the success of Murder 2. Udita will always be my support system,” says Suri.

“Finally, the feeling of delivering a big hit has started to sink in. I am, of course, excited about it. I lost my father last month. But I really wish he had seen my success too,” says the filmmaker, who has directed films like Kalyug (2005), Woh Lamhe (2006) and Raaz: The Mystery Continues (2009) in the past.

“I feel such a success (Murder 2) was long overdue. I have been making films since 2005 and although some have worked, I never witnessed such a euphoric response to any of them,” says Suri, who feels the film has done well due to the positive attitude of a few people involved with Murder 2.

“I am really thankful to Emraan, Mukeshji and Bhattsaab. I was always confident about my work,” he says, adding that Murder 3 is surely happening. “We are still working on the script. But I can promise more blood, gore, sensuality and drama in the next part,” he laughs.

“Emraan will surely be a part of it because people associate Murder with him, but no leading lady is fixed yet. For us, the script is the most important entity,” says Mohit, adding that he is going to take a break now. “I plan to visit all my school friends in the US before starting work again,” he wraps up.

Udita Goswami wants an American accent

Actress Udita Goswami might not be seen in many films in Bollywood as of now. But the actress is gearing up to do some projects in Hollywood. She recently spent more than two months at Los Angeles meeting up a few filmy people there. The actress has even hired an international manager so she is hopefull that her stint there will be better than the one on desi turf. DNA spoke to the actress about Hollywood, turning scriptwriter and more…

Talking about preparing for her big leap, she says, “I am working on my American accent for now. I have a dialect coach and I do about two hours of training, thrice a week. I need to have a good command over the accent before I go there. My agent thinks I have a versatile face and can play different characters, not just Indian. So American-English accent should be my primary way of talking.

But Hollywood isn’t the only thing on Udita’s mind, she is also writing a script. She says, “I’ve had this idea for a very long time. I had started writing, then got confused and stopped. But I’m finally completing it now. The story is ready, I’m working on the screenplay now and I’ve realised that every scene can’t be from a girl’s point of view!”

Quiz her if it is inspired by her (convoluted) love life (with director Mohit Suri) and she says, “Yes, a lot of it is from my real life — but how I can’t reveal. That’s why it’s so special. It’s a sweet, romantic and mature love story. And everything’s real.” She adds, “I wrotethe scenes with Naseerudin Shah in mind and no one else. 

He’s just perfect! I’ll approach him when the script is ready and then I can act out all the scenes! I have my reasons for wanting him in the film too but I can’t tell now.”

Ask her about good friend Gerard Butler? “So, big deal! I am friends with Gerard Butler. I am friends with so many more in LA. Denzil Washington too. Look, I am not into this whole name dropping thing. It’s so wannabe, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” she says.

Udita takes on a new role: Scriptwriting

Model-turned-actress is penning a script for veteran actor Naseerudin Shah

Udita Goswani has just completed a film script. The model-turned-actress steps into her new role as writer with a romantic yet mature love story.

And the only actor, she had on her mind while writing her project is Naseeruddin Shah.

"I have written my scenes keeping him in mind and no one else. He's perfect! I just hope he says yes when I'm done with the script," said Udita. "I will approach him with the final draft. Then I can narrate each and every scene to him."

Udita had been toying with the idea of writing for a long time. "I started writing, then got confused and stopped.

But I am finally completing the script now. Although the story is ready, I am working on the screenplay. I have realised that every scene in the film can't be from a woman's point of view."

Her script is, however, not very filmy. "I have drawn a lot from my real life. That's why it's so special to me."
So is Udita dating anyone from the film industry? "I don't want to date anyone from the industry as I would like to have a life beyond films.

People from the industry live, eat and breathe films all the time.  Everything in life can't  be about the success of a film," she said Udita will next be seen in Diary Of A Butterfly.

Udita Goswami says her pictures are morphed | Video News

I'm shifting base to LA: Udita Goswami

Actor Udita Goswami speaks to TOI about her Hollywood experience, moving bag and baggage to Los Angeles, Mohit Suri and much more. 

Now that you are back from Los Angels, tell us how was the experience?
It's been two days since I'm in India and trust me I already want to go back there. I had a wonderful time.

So was the trip productive in anyway?
Absolutely. I was supposed to be there for 21 days but I ended up staying for two months. I had a lot of work lined up for me in India. But when I was invited to the Oscar week festivities, which is a big deal there, I decided to stay on. Honestly, I thought it was once in a lifetime chance and I shouldn't miss it. Thanks to my stay there, I met a lot of people from Hollywood, hired a manager, publicist and lawyer. So it was extremely productive.

Buzz has it that you have become very pally with actor Gerard Butler, who was rumored to be dating Priyanka Chopra?
Why just Gerard? I've made friends with a lot of folks from Hollywood. I'm in touch with them constantly. I discovered that they are a lot sweeter and simpler than many of our B-Town people. Plus, I'm not into the name dropping game. You don't go to a private party and micro-blog your pictures from there — with Gerard or any other celeb. It's cheap and tacky.

So are you planning to shift base now?
Yes. I have plans of going back there in August or September. I have done my groundwork. I've looked at places I could shift to and plan to take driving lessons. My secretary here almost wanted to kill me when I was delaying my return to Mumbai because I was having so much fun there. The only reason that I'm back in India is to work on my American accent.

Considering most of our top actors have failed to make a splash in Hollywood films, why are you willing to take such a risk?
For someone like me, who hardly does any work here, I think it's a good idea to move to LA. The thing that works for me there is that I don't look Indian. Here, this was my biggest disadvantage because my looks didn't fall in the Vidya, Rani, and Konkona bracket. The kind of roles that I have been offered in Hollywood is of the exotic variety. I could pass off as a Spanish woman, according to them. Plus, there aren't many Indian roles happening in English movies. Since I don't have the typical 'Indian beauty' look and don't have much work here, I don't see the reason why I shouldn't move there.

Back home, reportedly your ex Mohit Suri and Vishal Mahadkar came to blows over you. Mohit has blamed Vishal for his split with you.
It's very strange. I just got back two days ago and here I am reading about this in the papers. It is interesting to know that two men are fighting over me. But let anyone fight, I don't care anymore.