Aaye La, Juhi Chawla … my reaction was as similar to Aamir Khan’s in Andaaz Apna Apna when the prospect of interviewing K-K-K-Kiran came my way. For someone who has grown old watching Juhi Chawla, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Should I start with Darr, ask her about the super hit Daraar, may be something about QSQT, a little about Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Kay, a few questions regarding 3 Deewarain and/or get quotes about her upcoming Hollywood flick. With so much in mind, I decided to let my mind wander and my heart ask whatever it desired … and it all took shape as soon as the down-to-earth Bollywood star began answering the questions. Excerpts:

 Instep: How is Juhi Chawla of Gulaab Gang different from that of Sultanat?

Juhi Chawla: The answer lies in your question … I hadn’t acted at all before I did Sultanat and similarly, I hadn’t played a villain before Gulaab Gang. I was quite nervous on both occasions but managed to do it in the end. My character in Gulaab Gang is quite different from my other roles because here I play a manipulative politician, which is certainly a role in a different direction for someone who on screen has never done anything wrong.

Instep: How were you convinced for your first ever negative role?

Juhi Chawla: Dedh mahina laga un logon ko convince karne main! It took the director Soumik Sen as long as one and a half month to convince me to play an antagonist. When he approached me, I was completely taken aback by his proposal, considering Son of Sardaar (2012) was my last flick. When I saw the dialogues, all I could say was baap ray since they were not what people associate with Juhi Chawla. I have always been doing the right thing on screen – be it Daraar or Bol Radha Bol – and the last thing I was expecting was this role. I repeatedly asked the director kay log maanein gay kaise? Would they be able to accept me in a negative role was my question.

The director went back and after 2 to 3 weeks returned with an updated script, which I didn’t like since it wasn’t as mazedaar as the earlier one. Hence I decided to go with the original script and took up the role as a challenge, and once I stepped into the role, phir maza lena shuru ho gayee!

Instep: Is it based on someone we know?

Juhi Chawla: Naturally, I looked up to the female politicians for influence but I found the director’s slow and casual way of speaking quite interesting. I managed to add sarcasm to his tone and based the role on him. If you like the dialogue delivery, the credit goes to me but if you don’t, blame the director. [Laughs.]

Instep: Juhi Chawla and Madhuri Dixit – Am I dreaming? What changed the dynamics?

Juhi Chawla: Madhuri and I started our careers together and we peaked at the same time – she with Tezaab and me, with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, both getting released in 1988. We could have worked together during our careers but no film came our way where both of us could be accommodated. It had nothing to do with rivalry amongst actresses because we all are thorough professionals. We may not be at the start of our careers but I am glad that I finally got to feature with Madhuri in a movie. I am sure those fans who were waiting for this are happy as well.

 Instep: People don’t believe me when I tell them that you are in your 40s … you made your debut more than 25 years ago. So here is the BIG question: Why don’t you age?

Juhi Chawla: [Laughs] Acha tum mere saath mathematics na khelo … Don’t act smart with me, I am as old as my fans want me to be. If they think I am in the 30s, I am in the 30s for them. If they don’t believe that I am in my 40s, that’s good for me.

 Instep: On a serious note, you don’t look your age (46 years), especially for an actress who has been around for 27 years?

Juhi Chawla: Bhagwaan ka shukar hai bus … I am thankful to God for His kindness.

Instep: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Bol Radha Bol, Darr, Deewana Mastana,Yes Boss, Jhankaar Beats, 3 Deewarien, My Brother Nikhil … which are your favorite Juhi Chawla roles?

Juhi Chawla: I am thankful to my directors for considering me in the first place for the roles in such wonderful films. Each film has its own identity and while I am happy with my films for the commercial cinema, the success of the non-commercial ones like 3 Deewarain, Jhankaar Beats and My Brother Nikhil made me take a chance on off-beat films as well. My personal favourites are Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and the new entrant Gulaab Gang.

 Instep: You were recently launched as the brand ambassador of a banaspati ghee in Pakistan. How did that happen?

Juhi Chawla: They approached me. I accepted the offer. That’s how it happened. I had a great time with the crew in Bangkok and was amazed to experience ad making in Pakistan. It was more or less like a film setup, was well-organized, and the unit treated me extremely well. Tum logon ke director ne takes bohat karayeen … the director was very fond of retakes but I am not complaining. The best part was meeting the artists and models from Pakistan and it was my pleasure that I could interact with them in such a lovely environment.

Instep: You have acted with nearly every actor, be it Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah or the reigning Khans … who is your personal favourite?

Juhi Chawla: This is a very difficult question because you can’t compare Amit ji or Naseer ji with Aamir and Shah Rukh, with whom I started my career. I am fond of all actors with whom I have worked and would continue to do so and learn from them in the future.

 Instep: Who has been your inspiration throughout your career?

Juhi Chawla: When I started my career, I was not sure whether I would last this long. I attended classes after becoming an actress but during my initial days, was heavily inspired by Sri Devi since she was cute and bubbly, closer to my persona. I also became a fan of Padmini Kolhapure who acted marvelously in Prem Rog, where she used to laugh and cry in unison. When I saw that film, I thought that if one day I became an actress, I would try to be like her. I was also a fan of Mumtaz who was immensely popular in the 70s. I tried to be like them while carving a separate identity for myself.

 Instep: A couple of years back, you sang during an award ceremony and surprised the audience. Can we expect more from Juhi Chawla, the singer?

Juhi Chawla: Ab villain to ban gayi hoon, shayad singer bhi ban jaoon! [Laughs.] I have now become a villain, who knows I might become a singer too. I was always fond of singing but never took it seriously and I am happy that people liked it. The Bhootnath song was a one-off thing but you never know if someone offers me to sing, I might say yes.

 Instep: You once said that if I don’t get films in India, I can always go to Pakistan … why don’t you?

Juhi Chawla: Did I really say that? (Laughs) I visited Karachi a couple of times when my mausi (aunt) was alive and enjoyed being in the city. The last time I went, I was busy in a wedding and had the media been notified, it would have been very inconvenient for my hosts. Isi lye bus chup chup kay aati hoon Karachi to meet my relatives.

 Instep: Your uncle Satish Anand is one of the leading film producers in Pakistan … ever thought of collaborating with him?

Juhi Chawla: I don’t handle film productions anymore since I have a lot on my plate, but yes the idea isn’t bad. Kabhi is tarah socha nahi but I am sure that one day the filmmakers of both countries can work together and produce quality films. I have been lucky in a sense that mere saath sahi waqt par sahi cheez hojati hai, so you can’t write off an Indo-Pak collaboration in the future.

 Instep: What more do Juhi Chawla fans have to look forward to from their favorite superstar?

Juhi Chawla: I am indebted to my fans for believing in me for so long. I still get scripts to look at so there will be films where I would be doing my usual seedhe saadhay chulbulay roles and some where I would be experimenting. I still have a lot to offer as abhi bohat aagay jana hai. The fans should wait for my foray into Hollywood as I am part of a Steven Spielberg production – The 100 Foot Journey – that would be releasing later this year.

 Omair Alavi works for Geo TV and can be contacted at omair78@gmail.com