GRACY SINGH'S SECRET - THE 'A' CONNECTION?
By Viral Bhayani (9 March 2004)

Gracy Singh has a special connection with 'A'. Stars and directors whose names start with the first letter of the English alphabet have proved lucky for her. The "Lagaan" heroine also told IANS in an interview that she would "never do vulgar roles just to be glamorous". Here are excerpts from the interview:

Q: Post "Lagaan" you have refused many offers that had glamorous roles. Don't you see that working against your career?

A: I certainly have qualms about the definition of glamour roles in Bollywood. I mean, if you are talking about showing flesh in the name of glamorous roles then I'm not for it. I don't want to do vulgar roles to get more work. I would be satisfied doing limited work but which offers me meaningful roles.

Q: You are a very well-trained Bharatanatyam dancer but due to films you seem to have lost interest in it.

A: Yes, that's true. Earlier I used to perform a lot on stage. I love dancing and that's why I had approached Hema Malini's guru Deepak Mazumdar for learning Bharatanatyam.

Due to films I could not dedicate more time to my dancing but luckily I have a film called "Yeh Hey Zindagi" where I play the character of a classical dancer. My passion and desire for dancing is now complete with this film! No one had tapped this talent of mine. It was director Ajay Phansekar, who, knowing my passion for dance, offered me this film.

Q: You seem to have a special connection with the letter 'A'?

A: Absolutely! I did my first film with Aamir Khan and what followed was acting with people like Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgan, Aftab Shivdasani and now Arya Babbar in "Dil Humko Dijiye"!

Even my debut on TV was "Amanat". Those who have directed me include Ashutosh Gowariker and now comes Ajay Phansekar!

Q: The success of "Munnabhai M.B.B.S." has barely got you any praise?

A: The film was a very hero-centric one, in fact not only "Munnabhai M.B.B.S." but also most of my previous films have been hero-oriented ones. But all this is going to change for me - you are about to witness the new Gracy Singh!

I have two movies in my kitty that will change the perception of me in the public's mind. In "Shart" and "Muskaan", I play the most important characters of the films.

Q: What's "Shart" all about?

A: "Shart" is the first film I signed after "Lagaan". But due to the date hassles of other stars it was delayed and completed later. My co-star in this film is Tusshar Kapoor who plays my childhood friend.

Both our parents feel we must get married and even Tusshar feels the same. But there is a glitch, I place a 'shart' (bet) before Tusshar and that's what the story is based on.

Q: Is there any point in working on a film that has already been a massive hit down south?

A: This film is like any other film, but just a remake. Working with the crew from the south was a different experience all together. Those guys are so fast that "Shart" was completed in one schedule.

Q: You also have another release, "Muskaan".

A: "Muskaan" is a film that I always wanted to do. I love dancing and I have done lot of running around the trees in the film. I have not been able to dance much so far, but I have no complaints about it.

"Muskaan" is essentially a thriller with lots of good music and romance. I play Muskaan, and Aftab Shivdasani is my romantic lead. It is an emotional drama and it's my journey from a person without belief in love to a believer. And yeah, I will be seen in a glamorous role for the first time