I knew Ajay before joining films: Tabu

Why aren’t you seen doing films?

(Laughs) I knew this would be the first question you would be asking me. That’s what everyone is asking me. Who says I am not doing films. I just did Haider last year and was also in Jai Ho. So, it’s not that I am not doing films. I am doing fewer films but that is how I have always worked.

So what do you do when are not doing films?

I think I do films because I enjoy acting. I have always tried to do films which I felt I could do…gave me a chance to perform. There are so many other things that too interest me and I like to do. It’s not that I sit idle when I am not doing films. Yes, I have always loved doing films and I will continue to do them but like always I will only do films which I feel are right for me.

So, what made you do a film like Drishyam?

(Smiles) It’s a very interesting story. In fact, I had watched the original Malayalam film two years ago. The reason behind watching it was that it was made by my friends. They wanted me to watch the film and I liked it. In fact, I was really impressed by the character of the lady IG. At that time there was no plan of making the Hindi film. So, I won’t say I had plans of doing this film and playing the IG in the Hindi film. Now, when Viacom 18 wanted to make this film, they came to me and wanted me to watch the original version. I told them that I have already watched it and I wished I could play the IG. And then we didn’t even go for a narration, as they disclosed their plans and I instantly agreed.

So, how difficult does it become when you are doing a remake and the original is a hit.

I don’t think it’s difficult. However, it’s not easy either because you know you will be playing a character which is popular and has been liked by the audiences. But then remakes are not just about copying a film in another language. A lot of changes have to be made when it is being remade in another language. Here too we have made a lot of changes but not with the basic plot or storyline. When you remake a film in another language you have to keep in mind your target audience. Drishyam’s will have a pan-Indian audience. Keeping that in mind the regional sentiments have to be changed so that they can connect with the story and the characters.

Did you do any research before the role?

As I said, I had watched the film a couple of years ago, so I knew the story and the character. Apart from that I didn’t do any research. In fact I am not from that school which believes and does research. I have never done any extensive research before playing role. In fact, I don’t know much how to do research. I play a character if I am convinced that I can do justice to it.

But is your role modeled on any lady police officer? How difficult was it playing the role?

No, contrary to what many believe my character isn’t modeled on any real-life policewoman. It’s wasn’t that difficult playing the role except that here in this film the action is not physical and I had to be very tough mentally, as the character too is very mentally strong. The action here is more mental, so playing that part was a bit difficult. I had to play a cop who is ruthless when it comes to handling criminals and that was really challenging.

You have been cast alongside Ajay Devgn, one of your first costars.

Yes, that is the best part of it. We first worked in Vijaypath and last worked in Takshak. It has been almost 15-16 years that we worked together. Ajay and my association and friendship goes back a long way. We know each other even before we joined films and we are great friends. I have always enjoyed working with him and this was another of the reasons I loved doing this film. Ajay was the first to come on board for this film and when I learnt that I was overjoyed because more than anything Ajay is one of the most powerful actors in the industry. He has really matured a lot but the child in him is still there. He is a very good soul.

How do you go about choosing scripts?

I think I have been lucky that good roles have always come my way. So more than me choosing a film, it’s the script that chooses me. I have always done films where I see a chance to perform. It can also be a light-hearted film. It’s not that I always want to do serious films. I am also doing Fitoor and I hope that too will be liked by the audience.