Ashutosh Rana, who won critical acclaim as the serial killer in Sangharsh and psychopath in Dushman, talks about Yogesh Bharadwaj's Shabnam Mausi in which he plays an eunuch. The film is slated for an year-end release.

Rana (left) with real life Mausi

Q What is Shabnam Mausi about?
A. Shabnam Mausi is inspired by the story of an eunuch born in Maharashtra, who overcomes society's negative attitude to become an MLA from Suhagpur in Madhya Pradesh. The film traces her rise as a leader.

Q. What inspired you to do the film?
A. I had read about Mausi before I was approached by the director. Once I met her she became not just a person but an idea. Portraying the idea was the challenge.

Q. How have you prepared for the role?
A. There can be no way to prepare for something like this. I believe impotency is not linked to the body but the mind. I will be truthful in my rendering of her life and I hope it will be appreciated. I hope it will change people's attitude towards eunuchs.

Q. Biographical renderings have always been dogged by controversy whether it is the book Aruna's Story or the film Bandit Queen. How will you prevent that?
A. We were careful to consult Shabnam Mausi when the script was being written-it has her approval. I have also tried to be as close to reality as possible. The film aims to provide a forum for dialogue, not controversy.

Q. Although you won a lot of acclaim for your roles in earlier films, good roles have been hard to come by. Comment.
A. Yes, but even Sachin Tendulkar does not make a century each time he goes on the field. Of the 100 films that I do if just 10 are remembered I would be grateful.

TAKE TWO
Melodious Ms

Amitabh Bachchan did it. Aamir Khan did it. Even Sanjay Dutt did it. And though former Miss World Priyanka Chopra might find the comparisons to the husky male voices odious, it hasn't stopped her from pitching in. Chopra, who has been in the news for the number of projects (seven on last count), is now sharing credit for singing her part, too. It happened when Chopra was humming a number on the sets of Thirupathiswamy's Tamilian. Since her co-star Vijay sings his own songs, it didn't take long for the director to recruit Chopra. The song, a dream sequence, was perfect for this western classical trained actor. "I am always game for anything," she remarks.

LIMELIGHT
Tuned to the Times

Diplomacy is a subject close to Manisha Koirala's heart, be it her love interest Crispin Conroy or her mediation in the Nepal crisis. Koirala is now adding a little more social relevance to her life with two topical films. While the shooting of Escape From Taliban at Malseghat is near completion, she is set to play the lead in an untitled film which deals with the 9/11-December 13 attacks. Written by Washington-based Mridula Mitra Vyas, the story traces the emotional journey of a mother who loses her husband in the World Trade Center attack. The film will be directed by National Award-winner Ujjal Chattopadhyay. First Bombay, now this, Koirala-the disaster specialist?

BOX OFFICE
Double Impact

The Gujarat riots and the subsequent bandh in Maharashtra did not bode well for Bollywood. Trade sources estimate a loss of Rs 4-5 crore in the past week. "Gujarat and Saurashtra have been dead territories this week," says film analyst Komal Nahta. Though there were no new releases on March 1, films like Raaz and the Salman-Sush-Diya Mirza-starrer Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, which had a weak opening, suffered tremendously. Unconfirmed reports of Bobby Deol and Amisha Patel-starrer Kranti which was to be released on March 8 being pushed back have also been doing the rounds. Clearly, no one is in the mood to indulge in tinsel world.

-compiled by Himanshi Dhawan