Working with Vidya is a dream come true, says Gauhar Khan

Actress Gauhar Khan is constantly experimenting with her roles in Bollywood and  doesn’t shy away from taking up a de-glam role. In a candid chat, she talks about her upcoming projects, her take on item numbers and more.   

What prompted you to sign the short film Peanut Butter?
Whenever, I do any kind of project the whole factor of me saying yes or getting excited about it is based on the script. The way Manu (Chobe) has written it and thought of the character that I am portraying was very interesting. I could feel that while writing the story, he went through a lot of emotional turmoil, which every individual can easily associate with. It’s a challenge for someone of my age to want to play a mother to a 18-year-old boy.  

Were you sceptical about playing a mother on screen?
I get flattered when filmmakers come and tell me that they had me in their mind while writing a character. For me, that itself is a great compliment. For me, age is just a number and not something that is defined by  what the society thinks of me. Actors have to be absolutely ready and be confident about what they do. I am not a mother (biologically) yet, but I have nieces and nephews, whom I treat like my own kids. So, I know how it feels to be a mother. For me emotions come from real life experiences.

Being a super model are you happy with the kind of scripts you are being offered?
I am extremely fortunate that today filmmakers are approaching me with interesting roles. I have worked with great talents like Shimit Amin, Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. I am grateful but I also try and remain hungry for work as I think I have so much more potential to prove.

You are often touted as a glamourous actress in showbiz but ironically you have played more de-glam roles in Bollywood. So, are you looking forward to getting more glamorous offers?
Glamourous roles have come my way due to my dancing abilities. I lost out the opportunity of being a part of Slumdog Millonaire because Danny Boyle thought I am  very pretty. After a lot of auditions, I was in the final three girls to be meeting Danny. He met me and he was really impressed with my acting skills. He looked at me and said you are so beautiful but you have to match the looks of three generations of characters and I somehow I can’t put you on a slum and now, on the other hand, I am being offered such roles where I don’t have to wear any make up. In Begum Jaan too, I don’t have any make up so I feel happy that I can fit into any character.

Many actors shy away from doing item numbers, what’s your take on it?
I don’t call my songs as item numbers because it’s a very derogatory term. Secondly, if you are talking about dance numbers, the top list of actresses are doing it too. I think Chikni Chameli, Sheila Ki Jawani are all amazing songs. If the banner is right and if the song is produced in a great manner, I would love to do it.

How was it working with Vidya Balan in Begum Jaan?
Working with Vidya is a dream come true. It’s like I want someone to pinch me and wake me up. The director is a national award winner, who has written a beautiful script. I am rally excited for this film. I think it’s going to be  one of the movies where people will sit back and notice my work.

Are you single or are you dating someone?
I am happy being single. I have been single for many years now and even I am feeling bored now. My sister is married and I am the only one left single in my family but that’s fine, I have passed that age where things should be expected of me or forced on me. Either way it’s going to be my decision when the time is right. If I find someone right, I will do it. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter.