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Hailing from nearby Oman, Sarah Jane Dias talks about her new film Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum and recounts the shameful stone-throwing attack to which she was subjected during a recent promotional event

ANY PUBLICITY IS good publicity, or so the saying goes. However, nothing could prepare Sarah Jane Dias for what was going to happen on Tuesday when she went to visit the town of Faridabad in northern India to promote her latest comedy Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum. Despite Sarah adhering to the mantra when asked about the attention the parodies (the send up of Devdas being a particular example) that appear in the movie have garnered, no amount of positive spin can excuse the mindless act to which the beautiful actress was subjected whilst on stage greeting a crowd at the city’s Crown Interiorz Mall.

Presumably taking umbrage at the picture’s adult tone and the ‘adult afternoon’ label the gathering was given, a senseless onlooker threw a sharp edged stone towards the platform which caught the 29-year-old on the lip. All the actors were subsequently forced to leave the mall and the crowd quickly disbanded. Unfortunately no suspects were apprehended.

Despite the ordeal Sarah’s spirits have not been blighted nor has the assault detracted from the enthusiasm she has for this, her first foray into the comedic genre.

Here the former MTV host and star of three previous films talks about that day and tells us more about Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum, opening across the country today.

Can you begin to put Tuesday’s events into words?

It was bad, very bad. This stone just came out of nowhere and it hit me. I don’t know how far it came from, but it came with a lot of force and busted open my lip. It could have hit someone’s eye! I have worked for a while and I have never witnessed anything like it. I was hurt not just physically but emotionally. I cannot for the life of me imagine why someone would want to hurt somebody like that.

We didn’t say or do anything to offend anybody. It wasn’t a political rally; it’s a film! There are many other ways of attracting attention if you have a problem with it. You can scream, you can shout. I have had things go down on stage before, but I have never walked off - the show must go on. But I was in so much pain and shock that I had to go.

And after a couple of days of reflection how do you feel?

I am upset and disappointed. It is unfortunate. I’m proud of my country and its people and our liberal attitude to life. But having had this happen has made me think about everything and for once in my life I have felt a little sad.

What would you say to the perpetrator if you had the opportunity to meet them?

I know for a fact that the person will have been proud of what he/she did. They did it to provoke a reaction and they got that. I would make them understand you cannot resort to hurting people to get reactions. I’d probably be really angry and yell a bit as well!

Has it put you off doing any future events of this nature?

I don’t want to make too much of it because people will just think I’m a whinging actress. I came back that night and went to work the next morning. I am fine now. It hasn’t put me off doing anything.

Getting back to the movie, what can you tell us about your character?

I play a model who is the daughter of this rich, eccentric man. She is in Bombay and a mishap occurs during one of her shows, which means she has to go to Goa to be with her dad. She’s a calm girl who doesn’t stand for much nonsense. She, however, has to put up with a lot of nonsense when the two boys (Tusshar and Riteish) get involved.

Were you a fan of the first film in the franchise?

I had seen the first one and loved it. I feel this one is much grander in terms of its humour and performances though.

Were there any scenes you weren’t particularly comfortable with?

There weren’t any particular risqué scenes… for the girls! The boys, I’m not so sure.

Some of the parodies of other movies in the film have caused a little upset with their respective directors. What are your thoughts?

People are always very quick to jump to their own conclusions. I don’t think we have offended anyone. We wanted to make the film the way we wanted to. We have not made fun during the parodies. All the films that have been [parodied] are iconic and they always say imitation is the best form of flattery. There’s no such thing as bad publicity for either us or those we are spoofing.

Opening today, how nervous are you about the reaction to the film?

I am not biting my nails, but I’m more excited than anything else. I’m very curious to see how the audience accepts me in this kind of role. I have never done this type of genre before.

So can we expect to see you in more comedies if this is successful?

I have been offered a few scripts. I don’t want to be very definitive about the direction I take. I am not from a ‘filmy’ family, so I go by my instinct. I have to try a few things to see where my strengths lie.

Sarah’s Ramadan memories

“I hope everyone has a wonderful and fulfilling Ramadan in the UAE. One of my fondest memories is that our neighbours in Muscat were locals and every year they would share the most fantastic food to break the fast. I love the spirit of togetherness that Ramadan brings. For me sharing is the greatest show of harmony and doing this with food is one of the kindest gestures one can imagine.”