Actress Rimii Sen stars opposite Akshay Kumar in this Friday's much-anticipated Phir Hera Pheri. After lots of reports about the actress changing her name, Raja Sen decided to clarify things. Excerpts:
There have been conflicting reports about you changing your name. What do we call you now?
There is no such change. I just dropped my surname, Sen, but most people are using it anyway.
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What about the news that you were changing it from Rimii to Shubhomitra?
I don't know. There's a lot of confusion between Riya Sen, Raima Sen, Reema Sen and Rimii Sen, so I just thought of changing my name to Shubhomitra Sen, but I don't think that's a good idea because, after two years in the industry, it seems weird. Shubhomitra is my real name though.
PHP is another comedy, and you are getting a lot of such films. In fact, even Dhoom had you in essentially a comic role. Is there any particular reason you like these films?
No. When I sign a film, I always see who the producer, director and actors are. I always want to work with established people because I am a newcomer and it's difficult for me to attract audiences. If I get experienced names in a particular project, I just sign it. I know I've done a lot of comedies, and I want to do something serious, which is why I'm not signing new projects right now.
A film like PHP is about 3 set characters. Didn't you have concerns about the relevance of your role?
There is no such thing, because all films in the industry are male dominated. A film always sells on the name of the hero, not the heroine. Until and unless you have reached the level of, say, Rani Mukerji or Preity Zinta. So, it's better to do good projects with heroes who are saleable – audiences come to watch it, the film is a hit, and everybody does well.
Is the pressure less when you're doing a multi-starrer?
Yes, a multistarrer is a safe project. If the film is a hit, everyone shares the credit. If it flops, there isn't much pressure on anybody. But I've done a lot of solo projects, so I think I should do more multi-starrers. Also, these days, there are only multi-starrers. Nobody wants to risk making a film on one hero and heroine unless it's Shah Rukh or Aamir or Kajol. So, if you say no to multistarrers, you may not get films at all!
What do you expect from PHP?
Everyone has worked very hard on the film and expects a massive hit. I'm happy with the way it's shaped up.
And what next?
I'm doing Golmaal with Ajay Devgan and Tusshar Kapoor, but can't talk about it now.
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