Bollywood Zone : Blog, Movies, Celebs

After being known as the glamour quotient in her films, Riya Sen will be seen in a non-glamorous avatar in her next project Sivan Aapne Sapna Money Money, a Mukta Arts film to be directed by Sangeeth Sivan. So what made the actress shed her glamorous image? “I found the role very interesting. I did it for my own satisfaction as an actress,” says Riya. “It is a comedy. The role requires an Indian look. I took this role as a challenge.”

Speaking about working with Subhash Ghai and Sangeeth Sivan, Riya says, “I have always wanted to work with Subhash Ghai. But when he finally approached me, it came as a pleasant surprise. Needless to say, I would never refuse such an oppurtunity. As far as Sangeeth is concerned, I have worked with his brother Santosh Sivan for the Malayalam film Ananda Bhadram. Santosh is someone I admire, personally and professionally.”

And although the role demands a simple look, Riya has shot for two glamorous videos for the film. “It was a challenge and helped me oscillate between two diverse looks for the same film,” she says.

Is it true that you have had a face lift?
Do I need one? People who are medically aware know that it takes about one year to completely recover after the surgery. I refuse to react to such rumours. Some people never stop barking. I take it as a compliment that people think I have done a face job, to look the way I do, whereas it’s sad that those, who have done it, have gone unnoticed. Am I sounding vain? But then, vanity, thy name is Riya.

But rumour had it that you’d gone to Bangkok recently for the face lift?
Rumours started before I went there. Honestly, I was stressed out and wanted to detox, so I went to a spa there with my family. I had this frightening addiction to chocolate. I would eat seven a day to keep myself going and if I didn’t get it, I would have major mood swings. It was affecting my health! After my spa treatment, my lifestyle has changed. I feel like a new Riya.

There are also allegations that you waste yourself away, drinking in pubs…
On the rare occasions that I have gone out with friends I have seen the whole world doing God knows what! So, who is anyone to point a finger at me? Are they priests and nuns? I have a fabulous lifestyle and it will always be this way.

You have everything going for you, a great lineage, you are young and pretty, yet success seems to evade you. Why?
I come from a royal family and that itself gives me an edge over others, so I don’t feel the need to be a superstar to be called truly successful! As for the attention, the less said the better. I love watching films and acting is my way of contributing to something I am interested in for myself. Also, I am in no hurry. I love taking a backseat. I am not competitive at all.

Given the controversies you have been embroiled in, do you come across men propositioning you often?
Anyone who is decent looking and single is assumed to be ready to mingle. It’s a fact that men do approach me and I love the attention. I look at it as a compliment. But if it is in bad taste, then I know how to handle it.

Your sultry siren image - boon or bane?
At times, I feel I could have done without it, but then again, I have realised that it’s great. There are so many people trying to have a such an image which has come naturally to me.

Why do you think you court controversy all the time?
Because I’m popular!

Who is your ideal man?
The list is too long to even fill this newspaper! I get enough attention so I don’t need a boyfriend. And I have no time and stamina to invest in a relationship now. Honestly, I am running away from a relationship.

Are you slowly becoming a victim of a smear campaign?
What do you mean ’slowly’? I have always been a victim of controversies.

Why is it you and not Raima who is made the dartboard?
I too have wondered about it and we’ve discussed it at home. But frankly speaking, I don’t have an answer to that. And sometimes, all this upsets me too. I know there are people who are jealous and want to pull me down. But looking at the positive side of it, at least my name sells.

Some say that you have used everything apart from your acting skills to move up the ladder in Bollywood. Any comments?
I don’t think I’m in a position to comment on that. I come from a family with a film background. My father comes from the royal family and that gives me an edge over any other stars of my generation. And most importantly, I would like to tell my detractors that at least I get the ladder and not the snakes. I’m up there whereas others are still trying to climb up. It’s completely my business how I have gotten up and as long as my family knows the truth, I find it unimportant to clarify.

There is a buzz that the friendship of the Sen sisters is only for media’s sake. Comments…
There are people who don’t want us to get along and try to deliberately instigate us…

Are you afraid of your mother?
No. I know she does get angry and can throw tantrums. But I’m not scared of her.

How do you handle when your parents read about your controversies?
Till today, I have always handled everything by myself because I know that even if they don’t say anything they will always be there to support my decision.

Don’t they comment on the accusations of your fellow actors?
I am not used to washing dirty linen in public. I don’t even want to bring in the names of wannabes in this interview.

How do you resist the temptation of never asking your grandmother to promote you directly? Media is dying to have that one photograph of hers…
That’s because she is my grandmother. I have a life apart from films. Why should I take a picture with her? The same people who will publish our picture will write an extremely derogatory piece the very next day.

Does she know the work you are doing?
She watches my commercials. But we never force her to watch our films. If they are screened on television, she watches them.

We never get to hear about your grandfather (dadu)… Do you have contacts with that side of your family?
My mother will kill me if I talk about it.

What was his name?
I won’t tell you that. He was a car racer.

How does it feel to have someone as sexy as Moon Moon Sen as a mother?
I’m proud of her. My mother is a very strong person. A lot of people are scared of her and that’s something that I like. People are in awe of her and that’s also something I like. A lot of people look up to her and respect her. She is an extremely educated lady too.

What about her oomph factor?
She is naturally beautiful. A lot of people find her sexy because of her intelligence and voice.

Moon Moon, Raima and Riya - who is the sexiest of the three?
My mother.

Do you wish you had been taller?
Even if I were given a million dollars, I would still like to look the way I am. Good things come in small packages.