New Delhi: She was mocked for putting on weight even though it was meant for a role in Bollywood. But actress Zarine Khan didn't let nasty weight taunts spoil her professional achievement and bliss. As her first Punjabi film 'Jatt James Bond', which has earned 7 crore in its first four days, continues to set the cash registers ringing at the Box Office, she speaks exclusively to IBNLive about being lambasted for her weight gain, not cashing in on filmy connections and why she still remains thankful to Salman Khan.
You have done a Tamil film in the past, speak Marathi pretty well, and now been featured in a Punjabi project 'Jatt James Bond'. Despite your ability to speak multiple languages without mixing them people take jabs at you for not knowing Indian languages. Where do the misconceptions about your nationality emerge from?
Even I don't know. There are several misconceptions that continue to do the rounds. Many think Zarine is not an Indian, others continue to believe that I don't know and understand Hindi language and the rest are confused about my correct age. I have to tell everyone that I speak Hindi language, also Punjabi now though I do face problem in speaking it with the right accent. For 'Jatt James Bond' I invested extra efforts to ensure it does leave an impact. And yes, I also speak Marathi. So I really don't know how these misconceptions have originated.
There was also a phase wherein you had to deal with criticism about your weight, films, roles - most of which was uncalled for. Since criticism can be very destructive, how difficult was it to take negative reviews in your stride?
It was certainly not easy. But honestly I never understood why I was being criticized. My first film got me a lot of criticism. I was a newcomer then and obviously didn't have any Bollywood background. I gained extra weight because I followed what was told to me. It was needed for the film and I still don't know why it wasn't accepted. I felt people had a personal grudge against me. Whether it was about what I wore, my looks or just anything that I did, I was being criticized. Honestly speaking, I couldn't comprehend if and what wrong I had done. Since I was new and young I had no idea about anything in the industry.
Did the sting of criticism also seep in some perplexity and disillusionment into your personal life?
I was very confused at that time. But because I'm emotionally stronger, I'm not bogged down by what is said about me. So I knew I had to work hard towards handling criticism, particularly my weight gain. If an established actress puts on weight, she becomes a trend-setter, but when a newcomer does it, she is written off. This speaks volumes about prejudices that exist in the industry. Over the years, I have understood this and learnt ways to deal with it too.
So you agree that many suffer prejudices in Bollywood and it is all about who you know rather than how much you know?
Yes. And knowing someone from the industry does help
But you've known popular producer Sajid Nadiadwala. You too could have cashed in on that connection and used it in your favour...
I had different plans earlier so I didn't want to cash in on these things. I wanted to become a cardiac surgeon, but those plans didn't work out and I ended up being an actress. I did know Sajid's family, but got to know him on a personal level when we worked together for 'Housefull 2'.
Many consider Salman Khan as the trump card to make it big in Bollywood. You too could have used the association...
I'm not someone who will cash in on somebody's fame and popularity. I know there are people who have been there and done that. I don't believe in all this. I'm thankful to Salman Khan for getting me where I'm today. Because it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have done Bollywood. But I can't depend on him, he has a life and that too a busy one. I think everyone is responsible for their own career and I'm old enough to take care of myself. I'm still asked about my resemblance with Katrina. I share a cordial relationship with her, but we aren't best of friends. She is just my senior. I still feel very new to the industry. I still don't know a lot of people.
Going by the recent boom in the Punjabi industry and the reach of its films, many are expecting 'Jatt James Bond', which has already earned 7 crore to be a hit?
Yes, the expectations are high and so are mine as this is my first Punjabi film. It feels great to acknowledge the fact that the market for Punjabi films is growing. The films always had a huge market in London, US, UK, Pakistan but for some reason nobody realized its importance in its own country. But I'm happy that it is getting its due. The fact that a lot of actors from Bollywood are taking up Punjabi films explain the importance it has earned.
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