Veena’s Daal Mein...releases today

Veena tells us who she wants to act with, and which Bollyw­ood role she could have done better.

KARACHI:

Actor Veena Malik’s first Bollywood flick, Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai, hits theatres in India today (Friday). After gaining success with her first item song “Channo” in the film Gali Gali Chor Hai, the road to stardom has just been paved for the actor.

In an exclusive conversation with The Express Tribune, Veena talks about her latest release and how it feels to work with big names in B-town.

“I am excited and happy about the release of my film Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai,” said Veena excitedly. “There will be 700 prints released in India alone!” she exclaimed.

While she is currently filming for her next Bollywood film, The Dirty Picture, in Bangalore, she says she will definitely be watching it on the big screen. “This is my first Bollywood film that will be released worldwide. Let’s see how it goes, pehli pehli baar hai (it’s my first time),” said the 28-year-old with enthusiasm.

In Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai, Veena will be playing a double role – one of a starlet who cons a man to get his newly acquired wealth and the other of a beautiful angel. Earlier,  Veena expressed excitement about her double role, “Playing a double role onscreen is new for me. But in my personal life I actually play the role of two girls — one is Zahida Malik (her real name) and the other is Veena Malik,” she said. ““I am sure if I can play a double role in real life, it will be exciting to play a double role in a movie,” she added.

The cast of Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai includes big Bollywood names like Jackie Shroff, Vijay Raaj, Aanand Balraj, Raja Chaudhry and two Pakistani comedians Irfan Malik and Hasan Ali. “I have worked with big names, just look at the cast of Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai – but I am not someone who would stand in someone’s shadow,” said Malik, confident that her acting skills will not be overshadowed when paired with experienced actors.

Veena said that she is grateful to the producers of the movie, Deepak and Urvashi Bali of D Bali movies, for having faith in her and signing her as the lead actor in their first film.

She also confessed her desire to work with actor Ajay Devgn. “I have a dream to work with Ajay Devgn,” she said. “The day I meet him, I am sure Kajol ko problems hongi (I am sure Kajol will have issues with our meeting),” she added cheekily.

But she surprised us most when she told us which Bollywood character she thinks she could have performed better. Instead of naming an item song or a strong female role (like Vidya Balan’s in Kahaani), Veena said, “I think one character I could have done better is Chulbul Panday played by Salman Khan in Dabangg,” she said, “I think I would have done a better job than him (Khan).”

Veena is currently working on the remake of the Bollywood hit, The Dirty Picture, which is a Kannada version of the movie. Other projects in the pipeline include Hindi films Zindagi 50-50, in which she plays the role of a sex worker, and Mumbai 125 km which is a horror/thriller in 3D.

We wish Veena the best of luck!

(with additional information from IANS)

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2012.