‘I have not done any bold roles’

By IANS

That’s what actor Neetu Chandra claims, even as her bathing scene in the forthcoming movieApartment has attracted lot of attention

Actress Neetu Chandra doesn’t like to be called a bold actress and says her much-in-news bathing scene in Jagmohan Mundhra’s Apartment is not at all vulgar. “There is no vulgarity or cheapness in the shower scene. The shot gives an illusion that I am not wearing anything but it is a trick of the camera. It’s an illusion that was created because I wasn’t comfortable shooting otherwise,” Neetu said.

The actress said she feels disturbed when people react strongly to such scenes. She said, “I play a hostel girl in the movie and in that particular scene I am just thinking about something while bathing. Now this is something so many of us do and can connect with. Besides, you can’t wear a lehenga in the bathroom. What’s realistic cinema then?”

Comparisons are being drawn between her bathing scene and a similar scene by veteran actress Smita Patil in the 1980 film Chakra. “Back then even Smita Patil knew what she was doing. It’s not wrong. I don’t do films because they have bold scenes. I do bold scenes if the script demands,” Neetu replied. 

The mention of her being known as a bold actress in Bollywood ticks off Neetu, who drew the ire of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists for her girl-on-girl photo shoot for a magazine last year. “Where have I done bold roles? I have not done any bold roles. In Traffic Signal, I played a simple girl, in One Two Three I played a police officer and was covered in uniform throughout. Then in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! also I am not wearing revealing clothes and neither have I done anything shocking in Rann in which I play a model. So what is bold? Even in Apartment this is just a scene which you won’t even care about when you see the film,” she said, agitation ringing clear in her voice.

For Neetu, selecting a project primarily depends on director. “When a story is narrated and executed — a lot of things change. So for me, it is my director who should be good. Then I see the production house. Luckily, I have worked with some of the best people like Priyadarshan, Mahur Bhandarkar and now will be working with Anees Bazmee and Vipul Shah,” she said.

 Among her upcoming movies are Khusar Prasad Ka Bhoot, Love Jaisa Kuch and Anees Bazmee’s No Problem. Her film Apartment, which also features Tanushree Dutta, will release on April 23. Let’s see what the audience finally appreciates her for —  the bathing scene or her acting talent!