Wild Encounter * Raii Lakshmi

"I NEVER WANT TO BE THAT KIND OF A PERSON WHO WANTS A TAG OF BEING A SEX SYMBOL."

You have seen her bold avatar in Julie 2 and her horror comedy side in Kanchana, but Raai Laxmi is more than just an eye candy. In a conversation with Rishira Ganguly, Ms Laxmi opens up about the film industry, her love life and her fantasy. Read on…

What are your opinions on sexual exploitation of actors in the film industry?

I think this used to be the scenario in most of the cases for newcomers and strugglers at one point. Sexual exploitation is nothing but the casting couch which has been spoken (about) a lot… that people kind of misuse newcomers who want to make it big. Mostly, it’s more with women and less with men according to me. But I don’t know how it works but of late I think, it’s more about being in control. But this is not just in the film industry, it could be with anyone in any profession but only the film industry has been tagged for it because people are more outspoken about it. This has to be stopped because this is like a barter system - like, “give me this, I’ll give you this”. This is not what people have come here for… it’s not a give and take thing, they’re here to show their talent (and) I think people should respect that.

How do you think celebrities can help curb body shaming?

Body shaming is the worst thing that anyone can do because everybody is beautiful in their own self and when you’re less in confidence and somebody body shames you, obviously it’s heart breaking. There are a lot of people who just do it (body shame) to grab attention. I think body shaming is ridiculous and something that people should not get affected by. As long as you know what struggle you’re going through with your body… the idea is not to be a certain shape but to be healthy! Some people are born genetically large so how much ever they work out, it’s still hard. But you have to love yourself for who you are. Be healthy rather than be a certain shape.

“When you have conversations with someone about everything in your life, you enjoy working with that person.”

What is the weirdest place that you’ve made out at?

Made out? I’m not one of those weird chicks who make out at weird places (laughs).

Do you think titillating scenes are required in a movie to attract the audience to the theatre?

To an extent, not always. It all depends on the script. Of course, there is a certain age group and a certain kind of audience who comes into the theatre only to look at these (titillating scenes). In Hollywood films when you see such scenes, you are okay about it. But similarly if we do it in our films, people troll us.

If you could spend a day with your favorite actress, who would it be and why?

Madhuri Dixit! She has been my all-time favorite. I am in awe of her style, grace, her dance, I like her from my childhood days. There’s something about her that’s so appealing. I am completely in awe of her so if I could just be there, just see her… just keep looking at her (laughs). I just love her. Even if she just keeps smiling, it’s okay for me - I don’t need to talk to her. I am just a fan of the package that she comes with… its everything, it could be great actor, dancer, performer… everything is with grace and it’s something that I would want to learn and it’s something that most of the actors are missing in today’s time.

“….in Bollywood, it’s a lot of unwanted struggle to reach out to the right person.”

How different is the South Indian film industry from Bollywood?

It is way too different actually. The South Indian film industry works in a very different pattern as in we don’t have casting directors; we don’t have too many layers over there to actually reach a director. It’s very simple. In Bollywood, it’s very different… everything is about departments here. It starts with the assistant casting director, then the casting director, then you sit with the director - it’s a long process to get into a film. In the South if you’re an okay performer, they are very sure that they will get the performance out of you. The working patterns are different too. Like in the South, we start working early in the morning then if the scene doesn’t get over, we still manage to shoot late at night and finish it off. Whether it’s good, bad or whatever, it’s transparent. Whereas in Bollywood, it’s a lot of unwanted struggle to reach out to the right person. I don’t think Bollywood was like this before (with) casting directors and stuff like that. Casting directors are for those who want to give an audition or a look test, not for someone who has already established herself. But still some people are doing a great job in casting so there is a platform at least, a hope for newcomers.

How do your parents react to your sex/ nude scenes?

Of course, it’s very uneasy and awkward for any parent to see such scenes - I don’t have the guts to actually sit next to my parents when they are watching such scenes even if it is others. I don’t have the courage to sit in front of them; there is a certain line… So, this uneasy feeling, most actors go through unless they have ultramodern parent or have adapted the international culture or are born and brought up abroad. But for a typical Indian traditional family, this is like way too much. It all depends on if your parents are okay with you doing this. So it’s very important if you’re in good terms with your parents. We need to also value their feelings.

What is the one kinky thing to have in the bedroom?

Kinky? (laughs) You’re asking the wrong person actually. I love candles but, it’s not kinky for me, it’s just more romantic. I love aroma candles. I am not that kind of a person… so I’ll be the wrong person to talk about it.

If you were to ever have a lesbian encounter with an actor who would it be?

(Laughs) I have never thought about this. It’s very casual with most nowadays… people used to never speak of this before but now it’s very open. I think that’s not in me… I can’t relate myself to it. It’s a beautiful feeling… it’s just pure love. I don’t see myself there but if I have to talk about it… I can only relate to my close friends… that’s where the comfort space is. But, if I have to imagine that scenario, it has to be with someone I’m close to like Sonali Sehgal or somebody who’s part of my group so that we’ll all be laughing about it.

“If I have a one night stand he automatically is in a relationship with me.”

Who has been your favorite co-actor and why?

I have many favorites including Ajith and Chiranjeevi because that’s where my volume of work is. When I worked with them, I didn’t connect with them as an actor, I just connected with them spiritually. There are times when you just enjoy speaking to someone, not only while working. When you have conversations with someone about everything in your life, you enjoy working with that person.

Which movie do you wish you had been casted in?

I think Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam and Chak De India! I had that feeling when I saw the film.

If you could have a one-night stand with a Bollywood actor, who would you choose?

I’m more of a relationship person. I don’t think I can ever have a one-night stand. If I have a one night-stand, he automatically is in a relationship with me (laughs). I don’t want to say “it is this person and I want to sleep with this one”. I don’t think I can do that!

Do you think that web series have more millennial audience because they have more freedom of speech and expression and creative liberty than films, or do you think it’s because they show flesh and use crass language?

I am yet to figure this out because I can’t really understand the pulse of the audience. Today if you post a picture in a traditional outfit and if you post another picture in a bikini, which one would get more likes? It clearly indicates that the more number of viewers are for skin show. If this is for a picture, imagine films. Somewhere it attracts - skin show… Anything that’s wild.

What is your idea of love?

Love for me is a commitment where the first thing that comes in is… love is unconditional. Love nowadays has become more of a word and less of a commitment. So, for me, love is about respect, care, affection… everything comes in it and apart from that, commitment. Loving somebody means you are committed to that person, you can’t just randomly love anyone. For me, love is commitment.

What is your favorite song to sing in the shower?

Of late, I’m singing Shallow. I am so hooked to this… its gone into my system, especially the entire album. I am an emotional person so I kind of connect with these songs a lot.

Who in the film industry today, do you think has the most sex appeal?

I think Malaika Arora, she is hot. She just glows and day by day is just getting younger. In the male category, it would be both Ranveer and Ranbir. A lot of girls are drooling over both the ‘R’s (laughs).

What do you think is the importance of being a sex symbol in the film business?

I don’t think anybody is happy being that. I’m not that kind of a person who wants a tag of being a sex symbol. You’re type casted in that way so it’s very important to break through the tag even if people are thinking, “You’re one of the sex symbols.” I would not be happy with that tag.

Who would you date, marry, kill? …Siddharth Malhotra, Ranveer Singh, Aditya Roy Kapoor.

Date Ranveer, Marry Aditya and Kill Siddharth!