Crush on John Abraham led to film role for Pakhi

It is not every day that one is handpicked by one of the most good looking men in Asia to play the female lead opposite him in a film.

And it certainly isn’t your run-of-the-mill story that the film is none other than the one you have penned yourself.

For newcomer Pakhi, this reality is now titled “Jhootha Hi Sahi” (Even if he’s a Liar), which will have its world premiere in Dubai today at Grand Cineplex from 7pm.

Walking the red carpet with her will be Bollywood hottie, John Abraham, who not only essays the role of lead actor Sid, but has also signed on as one of the producers of the film.

Of course, with Abbas Tyrewala being the film’s director and her husband, this would have certainly brought forth many more challenges for the young star.

Emirates 24|7 chatted with Pakhi prior to the film release to get the inside scoop on Abraham, rumours of corrective surgery and more.
 
How did Abbas zero on this particular project as the follow up to “Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na”?

Well, I started writing it when Abbas was still directing “Jaane Tu…”. When he read the first scene of the film, he was completely hooked in and asked me to right the rest because he wanted to know how the drama unfolded.
At that point the script could have easily taken a turn for the genre of a thriller, action or murder/suspense. But ultimately, I settled on a romantic dramomedy – yes a genre we created ourselves.
 
Did Abbas dictate a lot of changes in the script?

I had to come up with eight drafts before he was satisfied with the final plot. I think his main concern was the character of Mishka, which I play. She was initially a lot more edgier, aggressive and courted danger.
 
And he wanted someone tamer for the audiences to connect with?

Yes! Those were his exact words actually. He wanted his leading lady to be more approachable by the audience, and someone they could have a mental connect with.
 
So, is it true that John Abraham was always in mind for the lead role?

Well, I had this huge crush on John when I was in college and always knew I wanted to work with him at some point.

When Abbas went to him to discuss another film project, he also happened to mention that his wife was writing a film and narrated one line. John instantly said, he was on, even though nothing was ready.
 
Was it difficult working John’s good looks into a script that demanded a character that was your average boy-next-door?

I realised after I heard John was in the film, that his character Sid would be the most average good looking boy in Asia. But John surprised us all when he put on those glasses, changed his body language and transformed himself into a geek in all of three minutes.
 
Were you always meant to play the female lead?

This was entirely John’s idea. When Abbas told me that we had a script reading session with John, naturally I decided that being shabbily dressed is not going to work.

So yeah, I dolled up in designer jeans and went to meet him looking my best and promptly walked into the French doors in his house and made an ass of myself.

John, of course, found it endearing and told Abbas that he wanted me to play Mishka.
 
Were there any awkward moments performing intimate scenes with John with you director-husband watching?

No, not really. Barring the climax that was romantic, the rest of the film didn’t require such intimacy. And everything is so clinical these days, with so many people at the shoot that you just don’t feel awkward.
 
So what would you say is the film’s USP?

I play a girl on the verge of suicide who ends up calling a helpline, but dials the wrong number and gets John instead. The film takes off from there. And I think what really works here is the fact that here’s the story of a guy lying from scene one, but he has the entire audience rooting for him. 
 
Any memorable moments from the film’s shoot?

I think every moment was. The entire movie has been shot in London, so all of us spent time together like one big family. And it was exhausting work too, because we were canning seven pages in a day to keep expenses low.
 
Who came up with the title “Jhootha Hi Sahi”? Wasn’t it initially called “1-800-Love”?

Don’t even ask! We must have changed the title 12 different times, and even set up prize money for the person who could conjure up the right name.

At one point, we called it “Ankur Ki Maa Ki Maut” (The Death of Ankur’s Mother), in a state of frustration. Naturally, that title had to go.
 
Few people know that this in fact is not your first film, but you have in fact worked in two other film projects. Isn’t this so?

Yes, I did two films prior to this but “Jhootha Hi Sahi” is the first movie that sees me play the lead.

Those films were done when I was still in college, and I knew even then that the world of cinema awaited me. Oh, and I don’t mean in front of the camera; just that I knew my career would bring me here, even as someone who holds the lights and brings tea for everyone.
 
So, Pakhi the scriptwriter or the film actress. Which do you prefer?

Script writing is like painting, an outlet that one needs to satisfy their creativity. But now that I have the option to play the lead in front of the camera then it’s not something I am going to let go of without exploring its possibilities first.
 
Are you prepared to pay the price of fame? I mean, you have already borne the brunt with speculations about a corrective lip surgery.

Indeed, I am learning the hard way. There was this one time when John and I were travelling in his car and people surrounded us at the traffic light and wouldn’t let us go. It was daunting to say the least. But I’m learning to take things in my stride.

I’ve already experienced my share, what with the stories that I surgically had my lips done, when in fact, it’s my nose that needs correction. But I am too scared of needles to ever contemplate either.

And the Warner Bros. controversy over my script being a rip off of their sitcom, “Friends”, was uncalled for.
 
Are there are new films you have already signed on? Or any new scripts that you are working on?

Honestly, I haven’t signed on any films as such. I’m going to wait and see how “Jhootha Hi Sahi” is received by the audience. As for scripts, I am working on two others, but it is too soon to comment.
 
So Abbas, the husband or the film director?

Abbas the husband. 

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