Currently you are doing more films abroad than in India, “Yes, because I’m getting better offers abroad than here. I don’t want to do any more run of the mill roles for sure. From now on it will only be quality films for me”. And what is the difference in the shooting of India and outside? “See, I don’t want to undermine our home productions but there is no comparison with their efficiency. They are masters in detailing, so there are less chances of blunders but I also have to add that they make as many bad films as us”
What are the other differences? “They have better resources, bigger budgets and newer technology but that’s not the issue because we have the best technicians and artistes. The biggest difference in my opinion is in our responses. While we respond to everything emotionally, I think they are more mechanical about everything.” Does Gurinder Chadha fall in the same category? “No, because Gurinder Chadha does not intellectualize her craft, there is no snobbery towards Hindi cinema in her films. She is a storyteller and has the capacity to portray extra-ordinary characters in ordinary circumstances be it Bend it Like Beckham and Bride and Prejudice. Working with her is like working in a Bollywood film because she is Punjabi at heart”.
What about you, do you miss India when you are shooting abroad? “Well yes and no, because I know I’ll be returning home as soon as my schedule is over and I have learnt to live from day to day because there is a famous saying, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”