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Her debut in the popcorn romance Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, might have been a box-office success, but it was Tulip Joshi’s award-winning performance as Kalki, a woman suffering the evils of female infanticide in Manish Jha’s ‘Matrubhoomi’ that won her critical acclaim. Even today, Tulip Joshi considers that film a milestone. But does she expect such roles coming her way in the near future? “I certainly hope so,” she avers.

Her recent performances, have become more unconventional. Was it a conscious decision to gravitate towards playing more outof-the-box characters? “Not at all. It is the script that matters most to me. If I find it reasonable, I would do the role. In fact, I play glam roles in most of my forthcoming films,” she says.

That brings one to her most recent performance, that of a Kashmiri suicide bomber, in the just released Dhokha. She says, “I am content with the feedback that I have received. The project was an eye-opener for me. I learnt about suicide bombers and the ways in which they operate.” Did this thought cause any kind of revulsion throughout filming? “As actors, we are supposed to treat each role that comes our way professionally. Emotions concerned with the role must be detached and left at home,” says Tulip. Her forthcoming projects include Shunya with Kay Kay Menon, Hostel with Vatsal Sheth, Sanjay Gupta’s Dus Kahaniyan and an untitled project. And now for a secret. Tulip also has a Gujarat connection. She has a Gujarati father and a Lebanese mother. What most people do not know is that Tulip loves reading and even writes short stories and novellas. Is it a future career option? “Not at the moment. As for the future, I don’t know,” she smiles.

She came like a breath of fresh air when she breezed into the world of Bollywood with her debut film Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai in 2002. Even though the film didn’t do well at the Box Office, Tulip was noticed and went on to do films like Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women and Dil Maange More. Unfortunately, a slipped disc and a shifted spine ensured that she couldn’t do any films after that. Now, after a break of almost three years, Tulip Joshi is back in Pooja Bhatt’s directorial venture Dhoka…

Are you feeling nervous about your comeback?
On the contrary, I feel much more focussed. I’ve never been more sure of myself and of what I want.

The audience has a short-term memory. Do you think they would forget that you are not a newcomer?
Well, if they have a short-term memory, good for me because they will accept me as a newcomer. And if they remember me, then they will see me looking younger and better than what I did before! Seriously, I have no qualms in calling myself a newcomer.

Do you feel you lost out on a lot of time because of your ill health?
Absolutely, I do feel that way but at the same time, I took off time to find my path. I don’t look at that time in a negative way. I got to do a lot of homework. When I did my first film, I did not know much about movie-making.

Tell us about your role in Dhoka?
I play a Muslim Kashmiri girl Sara who’s a suicide bomber. She’s married to Zaid, who’s a police officer.

Did you have to prepare or do any research for the role?
I didn’t do much research but Pooja (Bhatt) did show me some research material on suicide bombers that I went through. Believe me, it freaked me out!

As a person, was there anything you did not agree to, regarding this role?
As a person, forget about bombing, I think to commit suicide is the worst punishment you can give to your karma. I’m totally against it. But as an actor, you’re playing a part where you’re trying to educate people about certain things. As an actor, I’m very excited about this role because it’s very rare for actresses in India to get such a meaty role, which has character.

What are the other films you are working on?
A Malayalam film of mine released a week back. I’m opposite Mamoothy in that. Shoonya opposite Kay Kay Menon should be releasing soon. Then I’m really looking forward to a film called Ashtvinayak where I play a journalist.

You have been seeing your boyfriend Captain Vinod Nair for a long time now. Do we hear wedding bells soon?
No, not yet. I’m thoroughly committed and happy with my relationship but no marriage as of now.

Corny though it may sound, she’s been told this many times - that she’s a bomb! And blowing up is what she’s doing in her next film, Dhoka, directed by Pooja Bhatt. “This time I can safely say it’s different - I play a suicide bomber in the film and that’s not a role that actors get too often,” says Tulip.

“Contrary to the common perception of how a suicide bomber looks, I’m not this terrorist-like woman; I don’t fit into that typical image at all,” she says. Tulip is a big fan of Pooja Bhatt and her style of filmmaking. “My character, Farah, has been given a very different look by Pooja. She’s good-looking, very subtle and simple, so Pooja has made me wear beautiful, flowing kaftans and very lightcoloured long kurtis. So I’m a good-looking suicide bomber!” she laughs.

When Tulip started shooting for the film, she was horrified by what she learnt about suicide bombers. “Pooja gave me some reference material and that psyched me. They’re a crazy cult, but it was interesting to play such a role. The script is by Mahesh Bhatt and it’s in pure Urdu - a far cry from Mumbaiyya Hindi. My language has improved a lot since this film,” she says.

With Pooja’s two previous films, Paap and Holiday, failing at the BO, does Tulip think this film will make it? “When I’m part of a project, it’s because I’m happy being with the team. All I know is that Pooja’s films are extremely well-made. But if they aren’t received well, there’s nothing one can do about it. The box office is something that remains a mystery - you never know what clicks and what doesn’t,” she says.

Does she think a film like Dhoka will be a hit with the audience? “Absolutely. It’s a very power-packed film. It might not have a huge star cast, but now is the time for experimental films. And some of the biggest films today aren’t doing as well as the small budget films. So I don’t see why our film shouldn’t work,” she explains.

So, like the rest of the films from the Bhatt camp, does this film also have some intense love scenes? “I know the Bhatts are known for going all out with every aspect in their films - it’s what makes them such a hit. But unfortunately, there’s nothing like that in this film,” says Tulip.

But she stresses that she will not be stereotyped. “I know I can pull off anything and that’s it,” she says.

Remember Tulip Joshi? Yes, the same petite girl, who made her debut with Yash Chopra’s Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai and followed it up with her powerhouse performance in the award winning Matrubhoomi. Now, she has another unusual film - Pooja Bhatt’s Dhoka in her lap. And guess what’s her role in the film? She is playing a suicide bomber. “It’s a bizarre coincidence. Tulip plays a suicide bomber in the film. And in real life Tulip’s birthday is on 9/11. When I signed her for the movie I had no idea that her birthday falls on that particular date,” says Pooja.

After Kay Kay Menon being finalised for Shunya in the role inspired by Mohammed Azharuddin’s life, there was speculation on who would play the role of Sangeeta Bijlani. The latest on the film is that Tulip Joshi has been finalised for the role. Tulip, however prefers to remain tight-lipped about the project. “I can’t reveal too much as I have been warned not to speak about the film. However, I can say that I play an actress and sport a completely different look. I am very happy with the way I am presented.” Meanwhile, Tulip is disappointed about not being a part of Manish Jha’s Anwar (she worked with him in Matrubhoomi). “I was supposed to do the film but I had a date deficit,” says Tulip. “I had already committed my dates to two other producers. Maybe, next time.” Tulip is also doing Manish Gupta’s Hostel with Vatsal Sheth. “It’s an action film with a dash of romance and music. I know that I didn’t do very well after my debut but now I am doing some good films. I lost a lot of my time when I was unwell due to my spine problem,” she says.

On the personal front, Tulip is committed to ex armyman, Vinod Nair. “I am very happy with him but marriage is not on the cards right now. I want to concentrate on my career,” she adds.