“People would queue up for Madhubala and Vyajantimala’s films. Today's actresses would never get such an opening” - Soha Ali Khan

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Bollywood was already in her blood. But the strong attraction to the world of acting made this gal step away from the corporate world and plunge into the world of lights, camera and action. After an award winning performance in her film Rang De Basanti , the petite actress and daughter of legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, Soha Ali Khan is back to mesmerise the audience with a film on Bollywood era of the 50’s titled Khoya Khoya Chand . Soha talks in depth in an exclusive interview to Indiatimes Movies about the film and training for the role of Nikhat.

In her film Khoya Khoya Chand Soha gets to play the role of an actress in the 50’s. Soha who is completely fascinated by her role tells us more about it. “The character of Nikhat is very lovely and has a lot of length and breadth to it. I have been very fortunate to get the opportunity to play the character. The film starts from the 1950’s and ends in 1961. As the film is based on Bollywood I get to do so many roles as there are many films in the film itself. To have different costumes, jewellery and dance forms like kathak , cabaret, rock and roll etc in one film was a lot of fun. “

The film being based on the 50’s and 60’s era of Bollywood, was Soha’s character based on any real-life actresses of that era? Or was it a blend of all of them? “The character is not based on one character but a blend of many. There were so many inspirations for the character. To imitate any one is impossible. Nikhat’s character fits amongst them. You can say she is a professional colleague of the actresses of that era.”

Apart from being inspired from the actresses of that era Soha and Shiney also had to work on their dialect and that to for three long months. So what is so different about the dialect used in the film? “The dialect had to be worked upon as the film has sync sound, which means the sound is recorded at the same time as it is shot. There is no dubbing. What was difficult was that we had to converse in Urdu. The language of that time had a certain kind of finesse and had music to it. Nobody speaks like that anymore. It was more of a pure form of the language.” Soha further explains “Actually in the film Shiney becomes Nikhat’s dialogue coach as he is from UP and has the finesse which is required. He is shown to be very polished. I would learn the diction and then Sudhir would ask me to forget all what I have learnt because Shiney would have to teach it to me in the film. I am shown to be a girl coming from a lower income group from Mumbai and a junior artist. I had to tone down the way I spoke.”

The actress not only had to put in a lot of hard work for the dialogues but also had to learn a lot of crafts which she had never even imagined. Soha tells us more “During those times all actresses were trained dancers. It was important for me to learn Kathak in four months which was impossible. But I was trained under Nandita Puri. Through Kathak , I not only learnt the dance form but also about body language and expressions. Nandita’s help was very valuable. As I play the role of an actress in the film I also had to train in horse riding, sword fighting, dancing and much more. Thankfully I haven’t been through the circumstances that my character has been through. It was very difficult to portray so many emotions. Sometimes she had to be seemingly hurt. I had to put myself in Nikhat’s character to feel how she felt. This film has definitely been a personal milestone for me. After the film was complete I felt empty, in a way I have never felt. I felt as though I had given everything I had to it.” So did the actors in the film also go through some workshops for acting? “Not really. I was doing my own things. I would spend time with Sudhir. It wasn’t important to have workshops as I meet all the character in the film only when the film opens. I don’t know them before.”

Talking about the training aspect for the role it was also reported that Soha’s mother Sharmila Tagore lent her a few saris for the film. “Yes she did lend me two of her saris” says Soha with a smile. “It is very difficult to copy costumes. I have worn my mother’s sari for a scene where I receive a Filmfare award”. Sharmila Tagore being a part of the golden era of Bollywood did she give Soha any tips for the role? “My mother did not give any tips for the role as such. She did read the script and she said that not only have you received a role which is very different but also not many of today’s actresses would get to play it.”

With everything falling in place with the costumes and training, how was the experience of living the 60s era through this film? Any nostalgic moments? “The 50-60’s era is very beautiful. They call it they Golden Era. There were legendary names like Madhubala and Vyajantimala whose films people would queue up for. Today’s women actresses would never get such an opening. How life was then, how the actresses would relate to their family, to the men in their lives, their professional colleagues, all this has been shown with a lot of love and respect in the film. We have been successful in retaining the flavour of that time.”

The film is based on Bollywood, so what is the significance of the title Khoya Khoya Chand ? “ Khoya Khoya Chand is remnant. First it reminds you of the song and takes you back to the era. Also it’s about aspirations and dreams. We all are trying to reach the moon which is always hiding behind the clouds. We all are in search of it.”

The music of the film matches the film’s setting of the 50’s and is very melodious. So what is Soha’s favourite track in the film? “When I am in my car, I love listening to the title track which is so modern and contemporary. It just lifts your mood. And when I am at home and mellow I love listening to the track ‘ O Re Pakhi ’ sung by Sonu Nigam, it’s a very sad and beautiful song.”

Director Sudhir Mishra claims that Khoya Khoya Chand will be Soha’s best performance till date. What does Soha have to say? “The best part is that I am doing an author backed role and often you feel that you have to transcend the character and play the role given to you. But in this film I am the backbone of the film. I am the film.”

And how was it to work with the talented director Sudhir Mishra? “I think Sudhir brings out the performances of their characters. He helps you to come out of your inhibitions and let go. I trust him a lot. He looks after the female actor’s role. They are always portrayed as strong and passionate characters.

And finally a lot has been said about Soha been cast for the role of Nikhat because she has an old world charm to her. What does the actress have to say? “When you cast for a film you make sure that the actor fits in. I have the old world charm, even when I am in jeans and T-shirt. I still have the look. Sudhir saw me in Rang De Basanti and felt that I had the ability to perform the role.”