“IT HAS BEEN A LONG JOURNEY TO RECEIVE MY DUE AND I OWE RAM KAMAL IMMENSE GRATITUDE FOR FACILITATING IT”

In this e mail interview from the Alps of Austria, CELINA JAITLY tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that she shed Celina and tried to dissect Romita just like Rituda would have done with a scalpel being a master of depicting human relationships against contemporary or periodical social contexts.

Why did you opt to have a big hiatus from acting in films?

I took this break on purpose, as I was fed up of being cast in roles which did not do justice to the actor within me. Also in addition I have been enjoying limelight since I was 16 years old and hence had actually reached a point of exhaustion. I started my professional career when people enjoy their teenage in colleges and have campus romances. When Peter (Haag) came in my life, he was my charming prince, and I knew that if I have to settle in life then it has to be with him! Then we were blessed with twins twice, Winston, Viraaj, Arthur and Shamsher. I wanted to enjoy the amazing new season of being a wife and mother without it being documented by a daily on a regular basis. I wanted to explore other aspects of my life like my music and working with UN in order to be able to endeavor to achieve my maximum potential as a human being.

What attracted you to say yes when Ram offered the short film Season’s Greetings to you?

Go on!

There is yet another major reason why I wanted to do this film. I recently lost my mother, and while I was reading the script I could only relate to the intense relationship that I shared with my mother. I had tears rolling down, as I was going through the character graph of the daughter Romita in the film. It was my mother’s last wish that I return to cinema and use that platform to pursue my philanthropic goals, I truly believe it was a calling from beyond and Ram has been the carrier of that calling.

How did you overwhelm your emotions at a vulnerable stage like this while you lost your son as well as mother?

I had two options- either to become a victim of my depression or to try and turn this into a life changing positive circumstance. I tried the positive way out, and it was overwhelming and not easy but thanks to the support of my husband, my grandmother and amazing people at work like Ram and Sarbani, Aritra (producer) and my manager Gautamji, I was able to reach a place of achievement and blessed dwelling.

Is it true that your husband Peter Haag has gone out of his way to encourage you when you went into a bout of depression?

My husband was the Chief Commercial Officer of one of the biggest companies in the world when depression hit me, I was rendered completely helpless. On the advice of doctors, Peter Haag decided to resign in order for me to have a complete change in the fresh mountain air and he moved us back to our Alpine estate in Austria. Retrospectively, I now realize that it has made a massive difference to my overall well-being and I have had access to wonderful doctors here as well.

Is it true that you were actually all set to act for a film with Rituparno Ghosh as the director but the deal did not materialize because by the time he decided to launch the film, you were actually pregnant?

Rituda had called me and wanted to cast me in a project. He did not know I was pregnant with my first set of twins that time and it didn’t work out. I spoke to him last when his father passed away. It was an intimate conversation; little did I know he will be leaving for his heavenly abode soon. His last words to me were a bit random and disconnected I remember, that I must have the babies safely and that he would like me to stay at the Tolly Club whenever we go ahead with a project after the delivery. Rituda calling me for a project was beyond my dreams. I had admired him so much that I couldn’t believe my ears. Unfortunately things were not meant to be until Ram came along with this project. I had goose bumps as if things were working from the beyond. I hope Rituda will be happy and satisfied with our subtle tribute. I always pray that he has finally found the acceptance and place of no judgment.

How tough or easy was it for you to play the live in girl friend of Usmaan played by new actor Azhar Khan?

It was not tough, because when you get a well written script and a sorted director then your work as an actor becomes relatively easier. Ram Kamal knew what exactly he wanted from me and Azhar. We did workshops before the shoot, to such an extent that we even knew what exactly we have to do in our intimate love- making scene. I also feel that the dialogues were so natural that our on screen chemistry looked believable.

How would you describe your role in the film Seasons Greetings as Romita? How did you prepare for your part?

I remember Romita was Rituparna Sengupta's character in Dahan, a film directed by Rituparno Ghosh. And the film was based on Suchitra Bhattacharya's novel of same name. I was in school when Dahan was released. I remember being mesmerized with the film and Romita, the character played by Rituparno Sengupta. Little did I know that I will play a character named after her years later in a film which is unfortunately a posthumous tribute to the legend Rituparno Ghosh.

Please Proceed!

Ram Kamal was trying a unique style of paying tribute to Ritu da through such anecdotes which cine lovers have overwhelmingly related to and appreciated deeply. For me it was also fulfilling of my last conversation with Rituda. I am nothing like Romita in my reality so playing Romita was certainly a challenge filled with excitement but I trusted and believed in Ram as I have always done earlier with my other directors. I shed Celina and tried to dissect Romita just like Rituda would have done with a scalpel being a master of depicting human relationships against contemporary or periodical social contexts. Lilletteji and I also connected for a few days before the shoot at a personal level and I had the wonderful opportunity to do a few workshop s under her guidance and her workshops were very enlightening. I wish all filmmakers would make these efforts, the wonderful response at many international film festivals as an official selection definitely proves it to be the right choice. I am eternally grateful to Ram and the spirit of Rituda. I am also extremely grateful to Ram’s wife Sabarni Das who styled me beautifully.

Your potential has till date not been utilized fully except in films like Silsiley and say Season's Greetings?

I agree. It has been a long journey to receive my due; I owe Ram Kamal immense gratitude for facilitating it. Ram Kamal Mukherjee has deftly set out to explore the fragile nature of human relationships - be it between lovers or between a mother and daughter or a daughter and her father.

How hard was it for you to portray the role on the screen?

Dealing with depression during shooting schedule was the hardest part, but I was super excited to play Romita. It was difficult to use the word “Ma” in my intense scenes with Lilletteji because I had just lost my mother and was heartbroken.

How would you rate Ram Kumal Mukerjee as a director?

Ram is a progressive director in every sense of the way from progressive writings to progressive style of filmmaking to how a progressive work environment should be and I feel that a lot of productions ought to learn that from him. A couple of years ago when I travelled with Ram Kamal in Egypt to promote tourism, I realized that he has an amazing skill of narrating stories visually. He made a black and white photo series on me, and later edited, did the background and final mix. When he showed me the musical montage, I was sure that someday he would make a feature film. When he announced Cakewalk with my dear friend Esha Deol, my faith in him grew even stronger. I have seen his creative involvement in whatever project he takes up, and that’s what you expect from a filmmaker. Ram in fact has created a new genre of cinema I am so glad I got to be the leading cast of such a project.

How did you manage to etch a wonderful performance subtly even in scenes where you do not have any dialogues to mouth?

It was because RamKamal Mukherjee trusted me as an actor and knew my potential that gave me a lot of confidence. I was in my best element because it came from a place of trust and confidence that I could tap into my real talent.

In what way have you evolved as an actress over the years ever since Feroz Khan launched you in 2003 with Janasheen?

I think my personal growth as a human being played a very important role in my evolution as an actor, you live and you learn!

How was the experience of working with a senior actor like Lilette Dubey? What did you learn from her?

Fabulous! We had hard conversations and I ended up with new perspectives. We did workshops before going on floor and it was enlightening to learn from her.  Everything about Lilletteji is magical and full of strength and grace. She taught me that learning is not attained by chance, but it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence and I am so grateful for all her support and teachings.

Which are five best films of yours as an actress?

They are Seasons Greetings- a tribute to Rituparno Ghosh, Silsiley, No Entry, Golmaal Returns and last bit not the least Apna Sapna Money Money.

Have marriage and motherhood shoveled your career to take a back seat?

No. It’s got nothing to do with marriage and motherhood and as I said before it was a conscious decision. I was exhausted, my potential as an actor was being suffocated and I was drained of working nonstop since the age of 16. I am very cautious of the work I undertake now. I have spent too many efforts on things that didn’t bear fruition. I am looking to do something wonderful with another dear friend and of course cinema is a lifelong affair and will only end with my passing.

What drew you to champion for the cause for Section 377?

One has to be either blind or mentally incompetent not to notice the prejudice prevalent around us, irony being that it exists in the world’s largest, secular democracy, in a country whose real cultural heritage has never shown any prejudice or intolerance against the LGBTQ people given the records. It is very rare to have a straight ally like me stand up with such a passionate stance. There has always been more of an emphasis on standalone lesbian and gay activist individuals and groups. People don't realize the importance of a straight ally. There are a number of places where a straight ally can express his or her support in small but incredibly meaningful ways. Your workplaces, house of worship, school, or civic organizations offer opportunities to introduce, support, or vote in favor of LGBTQ inclusive policies.

 Can you elucidate?

First, many of these places (in our case our whole country) still have policies or cultures that remain unfriendly or restrictive to LGBTQ people. But the one–on–one, honest and informed conversations that you have can help change this fact.

Second, as an ally, you bring a different perspective to the conversation. Your insistence on equality has a different meaning. It isn’t just about you—it is about others, and about doing the right thing.

They say you can remove yourself from Mumbai but you cannot remove Mumbai from you. Now that you are settled down in the Alps of Austria, do you agree with this?

While I love Mumbai and all that Mumbai has given me, I have no regrets, I do like living in the Alps of Austria, as it reminds me of my childhood in the Kumaon hills. Thankfully we live in an age of globalization and luckily Mumbai is only a few hours flight away and my work keeps bringing me back anyways.