Raai Laxmi “Dating Dhoni was a mistake”

Popular south actress Raai Laxmi is all set to WOW THE AUDIENCES AFTER A TEENIE WEENIE ROLE IN AKIRA WITH Julie 2. It is HER 50th film and Raai hopes it will help her create a niche in the cut throat world of Bollywood. In this interview for Cinebuster, Raai tells SONUP SAHADEVAN about her foray into films, shooting bold scenes, the casting couch and her much publicized link up with cricketer M.S.Dhoni.

Tell us about your journey and exactly how did acting happen?
I started modeling when I was in school and soon started participating in State level beauty contests. I participated in Miss Karnataka and was crowned the winner. The papers splashed my pictures and one director spotted me. That is how I got my first break in
South industry and had a smooth entry into films. My struggle started after I entered the industry. I was a non industry person and had no film background. I was also too young then to understand what is right and what is wrong. I had to go through a lot of bad films. It is important at this stage to have someone who guides you properly.

Was it smooth sailing for you?
Many misguide you for their own benefits. It has happened with me too. I got a break easily but later on the movies you choose creates an image of yours. You may end up taking some wrong decision and that happened with me too. So my struggle began after my debut and continued for four years till I got a game changer movie which was the blockbuster Tamil film, Dhaam Dhoom directed by Jeeva. After that film, the audience perception changed towards me. I don’t regret the struggle because my experiences have made me stronger.

Why did it take long for you to make your debut in Bollywood?
Bollywood has been supportive to me in terms of talent recognition. I have received many offers in past as well but some things were not working out. I was doing many South films and because of my commitments I couldn’t take up these offers. Many times dates clashed. Perhaps Julie 2 was in my destiny.

Why did you agree to do a small role in Akira?
A.R. Murugadoss sir wanted a known South face for the role and he is someone I respect a lot. I couldn’t say no to him. And it was pivotal to have someone established to play that role of mine. I am happy I did Akira and have absolutely no regrets at all.

How happy are you to make your debut with Julie 2?
I see it as a special film because it’s my 50th film. As an actress who has done different films with superstars in South, I want to see how much support I can get by doing heroine oriented films. Also the message that is present in the film is the same that I want to give out.

Your film has many bold scenes. How comfortable were you while filming it?
Frankly, I felt awkward while doing those scenes in Julie 2. Not that I haven’t done glamour scenes in South but there is a limit there and we don’t cross our limits. When South Indian fans see me in Julie they may even faint. But at this stage of my life, they look up to me. So whatever you do they will support. They know I have done it for a reason. On the sets, there were many South Indian technicians. So it was awkward shooting in front of them. I told my director about it and he was helpful. So there were just 6 people while shooting the revealing scenes. Had I been brought up abroad, it would have been easier for me to do all these scenes. But our upbringing is such that even if I have to wear a bikini while in a pool, I will feel awkward as many will stare at you. If I go abroad, I can be carefree while wearing a bikini, as they don’t stare at you. But here if you wear a bikini everyone stares. You like to wear it but people don’t receive it well.

Casting couch is one of the prime topics tackled in your film. Have you ever experienced it in your career?
Casting couch is normally experienced by people when they are looking for a break in the industry. It happens when you are struggling to find a platform. That is when people misuse you. I have not experienced that as I got an easy entry. But after becoming popular, people indirectly approached me saying that if you want to move ahead in career, you can earn a lot of name by doing this. Casting couch is something you will experience when you are a nobody. When I was a nobody, I got an easy entry. But when I was a somebody, I was indirectly approached. It happens with people even today. It is a part and parcel of the industry. There are some people who make films only for that (for casting couch purpose). Many new girls meet people who are not serious about filmmaking and are only interested in utilizing the casting couch.

But do these girls get films even after going through casting couch?
People who are making films only for the casting couch purpose are not serious filmmakers. A newcomer feels that this is a platform. She doesn’t know whether the film that she is doing will ever release or not. For them it is an opportunity to break into the industry. There are many girls whose careers have not taken off because their films have not been released.

Why are such people not exposed?
It is happening now. In South many have been exposed. Now the time has come when frustration level has increased and known actresses are saying this in open. Now people who misuse girls are getting scared.

What is your take on Malayalam actor Dileep’s case?
I have worked with Dileep in two films. He is a lovely person. I just cannot believe he will do all these things. I don’t know what the actual evidence is and the matter is currently in court. But I think no evidence as such has come. I would like to believe everyone has an agenda in doing something. My belief is it takes two hands to clap. And this is true for casting couch as well. Agar aapko nahi karna hai koi aake aapko rape nahi karega. Rapes are happening in our country and we are not delivering quick justice. Every girl is getting exploited but a normal girl is not able to find her voice. That is why actresses are becoming stronger and coming out and saying it is happening with us. You may feel it is a great industry and people think actors are lucky and live a great life but there are a lot of things that go behind. So as South actors we have started talking openly and boldly that it has happened with us.

What about Bollywood?
The change is happening in Bollywood. I see a lot of beautiful girls coming in for auditions with dreams in their eyes. They are given hopes and then misguided into taking a wrong path. Out of thousand auditions, only one person gets a chance. Most filmmakers here want known stars. Very filmmakers want to get new fresh faces purely on their basis of their talent and performance. And then there are also people who do films and mix it with their own pleasure. The industry is not entirely dirty but it becomes so because of a few people who are bad.

When Julie was released, Neha Dhupia had famously said sex and Shah Rukh Khan sell in India. Do you still think it is the same?
Today sex is so common that it doesn’t sell. If you don’t give proper content, even Shah Rukh Khan becomes just a normal star. If the presence of Shah Rukh can guarantee a hit, then every film of his would have been a blockbuster. Today’s audience has shown that we want something new. We respect you as stars but give us something new.

Many people in North know you as the starlet who dated M.S. Dhoni. Do you think your relationship with Dhoni was blown out of proportion?
Dating was a mistake.

You mean dating Dhoni was a mistake?
No, it was not dating about Dhoni. But dating becomes a mistake especially if you are an actress. I don’t think people know me just because of that (dating Dhoni). People have created that sensation. It is a done to death news, which has faded out. I have put a full stop but people still want to talk about it. Everybody will think I want to talk about it for publicity. But that is not the case. I don’t want to talk about it. I have had many relationships after that but why is this relationship coming back and forward? I don’t want to comment on it. I have immense love for sports and hence I got into supporting cricket. I have supported many other games. It was part of my life and something very personal and I want to keep it that way.