Courtesy: IndiaFM
Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Back after hibernating, Mahima Chaudhary is testing new waters in career. Not sticking to just selective glamorous roles, Mahima has quite a diverse list of films lined up for release this year. All those who wrote her off as history will have lot of reasons to sit up and take notice of her. After Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye, she is back with Sehar, a rather unusual genre of film for Mahima one wonders. In this chat with IndiaFM, she discusses her role in the movie and why she took it up.

Tell us about the role you play in the film?
I've done my best in this film. The director felt that my appearance would add colour to the film. I've done a small role in the movie as the whole story is based on the police force. I play Anamika, SSP Ajay Kumar's (Arshad Warsi) love interest in the movie; she is an economics professor in Lucknow University. She is not involved with the special task force but she is aware of what is going on and the progress of the project and the risks he takes. Anamika is obviously concerned and is very supportive in her own quiet way. She is the one who always listens to him. This is similar to what happened in Arun Kumar's life.

Something in the script must be really interesting that you agreed to overlook the length of the role
I think when you hear the true-life story of this police officer you tend to get touched by it. It deals not only with his work but also his personal life, things that he wants to achieve and his dreams. The police usually put their lives at risk and serve the public. They have to be on the move all the time. I liked the story because you can relate to it and I think these kind of stories need to be told. It's a brave and interesting story.

Give us a sneak peek in the film's story
The story is about how a police officer single handedly started a new police task force to strike down the mafia in Uttar Pradesh (U.P). This was very crucial because the police had a lot of cases on their hands and it was important for someone to concentrate on the growing mafia gang. Arun Kumar took the initiative to start a new unit that would primarily tackle the mafia and track them down.

Arshad is usually cast in comedy roles. How do you think he has performed in a serious role this time around?
He has performed rather well. He was pretty sincere as he was the protagonist of the film. Arshad plays the role of Special Investigating Officer, Arun Kumar. In the film he's called Ajay Kumar and he did his role brilliantly.

What are the songs in the movie like?
All the songs are in tune with the storyline. There's just one romantic song between Arshad and me, it's a soft song with good background music. It depicts the courtship between the two of us. It's an innocent romance, like what takes place in small towns and there is a sense of awkwardness.

Can you point out how this role is unique from the ones you have done so far?
In this movie the unique thing was that only a suggestion has been made about SSP Kumar's love life. The romance and courtship is very innocent. We don't even hold hands; we just look at each other. Like I said before, it was like a romance that takes place in small towns. There is a hint of orthodox thinking in it, but it was refreshing to do such a role.

Do you think Arshad looks convincing as a cop?
Yes, I think he does. He's got the correct hairstyle and the right body language. Arshad is really sincere in his effort. Kabir too was very persistent. He was never satisfied till he got what he wanted, so he brought out the best in us.

Which is your favourite song in the movie?
All the songs are good. They all suit the mood of the movie. But of course, the romantic song between Arshad and me is my favourite. I'm a romantic person so I like such songs.

Arshad is known for his pranks in the industry. Did he play any on you during the shoot?
I worked with him for the first time in Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye, but didn't get to know him very well. Even this time around in Sehar he wasn't keeping very well so I didn't really get to know him. When I reported for the shoot on the first day, he was ill, so I met a 'sick' Arshad on the sets. But he's very good to work with. I really enjoyed myself.

Is there anything else you want to tell your viewers about this movie?
I would like to say that it's very easy to point fingers at the police, but when a story like this comes out, one gets to know that there is a certain section of the police force out there who are working day in and day out putting their personal lives behind to ensure a secure society. I think the society needs such people and when such stories exist, hats off to people like Kabir Kaushik who picks a story like this so that people become aware of it.

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