'If one closes one's eyes, do you really think the reality vanishes?'
Exteremley vivacious, full of life and a great sense of humour are just some of the admirable qualities that this young actress possesses. Even when the 'hot seat' got too hot, Nandita Das kept her cool and soon had everyone toeing the line.
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:29 IST)
Hi, everybody! I'm here on the hot seat. Shoot your questions.
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coolmirchi (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:12 IST)
now what happens to water
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:32 IST)
Coolmirchi: Well, we are all keeping our fingers crossed and I suggest you do the same. Let's hope for the best! By tomorrow morning, you'll know the verdict. Is paar ya us paar!
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NanditaFan (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:33 IST)
Hi Nandita, I liked u r role in FIRE very much in which u come out a strong lady with clear choices/opinions about every aspect of u r life(of course, the sexual preferencetoo!). But in EARTH u were like many of those typical Hindi film heroines who r nothing but object of desire for the heroes. I DIDN'T like u one bit in EARTH. I like the attitude u projected in FIRE and that's Y I'm u r fan.
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:33 IST)
NanditaFan: Thanks for being so frank! But, you know, sometimes one selects a film not just because of the role but because of what the film is trying to say. And if you believe in that, then you want to be part of the project. I have no regrets but thanks anyways.
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kss (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:33 IST)
nandita how u feel after cut the hair?
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:36 IST)
kss: I think I went through all the possible emotions that one could have possibly gone through from nervousness to looking like a teaboy to now feeling quite libertated! I love touching my head, standing under the shower and by the way I'm saving a loot of WATER!!!
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Prashant (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:34 IST)
Hi nandita.Don't you think Deepa Mehta has crossed a lot of boundries with her movies?Don't you think somethings are better kept unspoken?
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:44 IST)
Prashant: If one closes one's eyes, do you really think the reality vanishes? I think it's time that we faced the truth around us and be more honest to oursleves and above all be courageous. After all, aren't films supposed to be a reflection or a slice of life? So, come on, be brave and encourage us to do films that have some meaning! Do you agree? Write back if you do! And if you don't, I'll understand :-)
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shrm (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:43 IST)
Do you support ban on Satanic Veres, Nathuram Godse's play, Sixth Sacred Wound play on Christ ????????????
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:46 IST)
shrm: I am all for freedom of expression because I do not undermine the intelligence of the reader/audience. I'm sure they will decide what they want to see or what they like on their own. And maybe that will encourage more self-censorship instead of a second person wanting to decide for others everytime.
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Moonface (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:45 IST)
Hi Nandita, I think you really are a good actress. Can you imagine all your three film with Deepa Mehta met with some problems. by now you must have got used to thisor have you?
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:52 IST)
Moonface: Just when I thought I had got used to it, BINGO!!! They are trying stop us from even beginning our shoot. Now that's something I'm definitely not used to, it's like banning a book before it's even written.
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himanshu (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:51 IST)
Ms Nandita: Are people of benares supporting your cause? i believe some mahant is supporting your cause?
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:57 IST)
Himanshu: Yes. Isn't that great that there are a lot of people who are supporting not just the cause of Water but the larger cause of freedom of expression. Many support groups, students, just anybody and everybody have been coming to us as individuals and as groups to show their solidarity. Thank God for them. The mahant, Dr Kulpati Tiwari, was very supportive progressive and encouraging... though he had his own special way of doing that.
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jyoti (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:56 IST)
Ms Nandita: Do you believe in lesbiniasm? also, what is the point in criticizing our own religion?
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:2 IST)
Jyoti: There is nothing about believing or not believing, it's just something that exists. Period! I would rather believe in the philosophy of live and let live. As long as nobody is harming anybody, let's be concerned about more pressing matters in the country. In any case, it has nothing to do with religion, and has been there from time immemorial. I think it's better not to be too judgemental and decide for others based on our own individual conditioning. Wouldn't this world then be a better place to live?
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NanditaFan (Wed Feb 2 19100 7:59 IST)
I've got a feeling that Deepa Mehta is trying to pass judgments on Hindu religion by raking up senseless forgotten issues in WATER. Some bad memories r better to be forgotten rather than analyze them at a time when we've to move forward? What's u r opinion on this.
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:7 IST)
NanditaFan: There are various good and bad things in our religion, culture, country, world , family... US! I think to reflect, to have constructive criticism, to question, to stimulate our minds is not such a bad thing. I have recently seen a widows' home here in Benares which is in an appalling condition. So it's not just about 1930s. Many such things still exist, it's just a matter of opening your eyes and mind. In any case, nobody even knows the script of Water, why are you presupposing that it is against our religion or that it is bringing out only the negativities of our history?
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debasish (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:5 IST)
Hi nandita, I am a fan of your simple look with great appeal in your eyes and the powerful acting. I want to know something about you and your forthcoming films.
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:13 IST)
Debashish: Thanks 0:-)... ;-).... Unfortunately, I do pretty small films, which half the time nobody gets to see. That's my fate!! I've just finished a Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali film. I have also just done a film with Shyam Benegal called Hari Bhari and at the moment I'm still shooting for Rakesh Mehra's Aks (working title), the one with THE BACHCHAN. There's one about AIDS called Ek Alag Mausam and Saanwari (working title), a film on a rape victim's struggle for justice... Let's see how long I last.
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Nandita (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:11 IST)
So what is the connection between "widows" and "Benares" - if Water is meant to show the plight of "Widows" why can't it be shot somewhere else
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:16 IST)
Nandita: There were many widows' homes in Benares because of which Deepa was inspired to set it here. It is an amazing city so why not? Of course, it could be shot in place X. Then don't you think you would ask why only place X? And why not Y? Do you think such questions can ever end? Let's leave some things to the discretion of the creators.
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NoMovieBuff (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:16 IST)
Allrighto, Ms Das. Moonface is distressed that I'm asking the wrong questions, so here's a polite one: you've got the looks for conventional cinema - I'd say you've much in common with Kajol - so why aren't you acting in some?
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:21 IST)
NoMoviebuff: I'm not at all opposed to doing films from any genre as long as I can relate to them. None of the commercial offers that have come to me have excited me as yet. Maybe if a good fun comedy, which is more on the lines of satire, and situational comedy, as opposed to slipping on the banana peel, comes to me then I will surely GO FOR IT *running fast towards the role and slipping on a banana peel*
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NanditaFan (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:18 IST)
Why r u avoinding this questions asked by many fans here? How do u react when somebody says u r "HOT". I'd definitely say that's my compliment to u! And u've proved that u don't have to apply tons of makeup to look sensual. U r one of the few to be born with that inborn quality
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:27 IST)
NanditaFan: I'm not avoiding, just trying to be modest *blushing and all that*. In any case, I don't know what's the definition of hot. If it means being really warm, waRM, WARMMMM, then, at the risk of NOW being immodest, I must say I'm a reasonably Warmmmmmm person. And if you meant being cool... hey, why don't you only tell me what is it to be hot before I confuse you further or, for that matter, get confused myself!
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sohan (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:23 IST)
Benares is definitely not famous for illicit prostitution. So I wonder the place which Ms. Mehta chose. She could had found place next to her home in Canada itself. Can you imagine what impression a foreigner would make about Benares, if a person doesn't know anything about Benares at all. I think someone should sue Ms. Mehta. It is easy things getting approved by the "clerks" in the ministries using money power. I know the same way they can buy the protestant too. But is this fair?
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:30 IST)
Sohan: Whatever gave you the idea that Water is about prostitution? It has no kothas, no titillating dances, no skin... Why not have just a little bit of patience and watch the film and decide then. I don't think you are being fair to us with these preconcieved ideas.
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sohan (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:31 IST)
Why doesn't Ms. Mehta and you get into "soft porn" business? It would fetch lots of money. The market for indian soft porn must be an easy bet?
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sohan (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:34 IST)
Thanks Ms. Das for your reply to my question. But I have seen both "Fire" and "Earth", and me and most of my friends were not impressed. It had nothing more to say that other similar movies except for a few "scenes". If you think you are talented, then do you think your talent is being utilised properly by Ms. Mehta? Or Ms. Mehta is merely exploiting you, just as the prostitutes in your movie were exploited once.
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Dinesh Gill (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:31 IST)
What are ur views on "nudity"? Should it be allowed in India. And would u have sex on camera if ur characters requires it
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:41 IST)
Dinesh/Sohan: It's really sad that the only scene that remained in your minds in both Fire and Earth were the intimate scenes. Considering both the films were about very pertinent questions of life and human behaviour, you chose to only think about I guess what interested YOU. I think any scene or shot cannot be judged by itself, but by what it's trying to portray and what signal it's trying to give. For instance, a rape scene can be shot in a way to titillate or can be shown in a way that it disgusts you and makes you feel shameful. So the scene by itself is not good or bad, but it becomes that by what its meant to do to the audience. I guess we all take different things from a film, depending on our interests and need. As far as nudity is concerned, I will not be comfortable with it purely because of my conditioning and inhibitions. But I wouldn't judge somebody on the basis of that. May I ask you if you think zooming into cleavages and showing bums and belly buttons of women is part of our s-called Indian culture? How come hundreds of films this nature are not questioned? I guess it is all subjective because my sensibilities as a human being and as a woman are offended. Sorry for the long bhashan, didn't mean to preach but just to share one's views. I guess, again, it's all about intentions. And, SOHAN, if it was all about "fetching money," then don't you think I would be doing some of "those" films? As all, the money lies there and not in one obscure Kannada, Bengali or Shyam Benegal film.
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bhishma (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:40 IST)
Ms. Das, forget about politics, let us do some heart to heart talk. Have you ever had relationship with a woman? fire style
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:42 IST)
Bhishma: Not yet!
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rohan (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:42 IST)
Well Nandita I feel..the common man in India knows very well that its the game of Politicians to increase hatred on sensitive issues..like for eg, the Shiv Sena gained political milage with breaking down glass panes and demolishing posters of Fire..same thing is happening with Fire, but this time its the sang parivar in U.P. Those who feel its bad don't watch it, stay at home no ones forcing you, we live in India a free country let the remainign half who are interested watch it. We don't want the politicians to dictate whats good and bad for us.
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:43 IST)
Rohan, it's because of people like you that we are still sticking it out! Thanks!
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:46 IST)
There will always be all kinds of people in this world, like our Rohan and Sohan! I guess that's what makes life so interesting. So let's live and let others live! I don't mean to ignore Bhishma, Dinesh Gill and other nicks who made this chat very HOT
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Ms Nandita Das (Wed Feb 2 19100 8:47 IST)
Bye everyone... till we chat again
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