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‘There was no way I could have said no’

IT TAKES A lot to say no to a Bollywood offer, especially when it comes from Aamir Khan Productions, but not for singer Monica Dogra. The debutante was not interested in auditioning for Dhobi Ghat because she thought Bollywood was stuck in its cliches.

“I wasn’t too interested initially in Bollywood. That was my first reaction when I was first approached (for Dhobi Ghat). Bollywood for me was an industry that I felt was saturated with one particular style that I wasn’t too interested in,” Monica said.

“But I’ve noticed that the industry is changing and I want to be a part of that change. And it was the script of Dhobi Ghat that changed my mind. Then of course I had seen a lot of films like Taare Zameen Par and Udaan which are fantastic. I guess Bollywood filmmaking in general is now going towards a direction where there is space for alternative cinema,” she added.

A professional singer with a band called Shaa’ir + Func (S+F), Monica didn’t budge despite repeated attempts by Aamir’s wife Kiran Rao’s audition calls for her directorial debut.

Not many know that Kiran took a fancy to the 28-year-old the moment she saw her for the first time on the cover of Time Out Mumbai before tracing her on Facebook for an audition.

“I was in London at that time and was unavailable to go for the audition. Then when I heard that they had auditioned sort of everybody in Delhi and Mumbai and still hadn’t found the right fit, and approached me the second time, I agreed.

“The second screen test I gave was with Aamir himself and the third day I was offered the role. Once I read the script, I just loved it and there was no way I could have said no,” said Monica, whose only stint in Bollywood so far has been the song Dooriyan bhi hain zaroori from Break Ke Baad.

She will be seen in the movie as Shai, an NRI investment banker and passionate photographer who comes to Mumbai on a sabbatical.

So how was it rubbing shoulders with Aamir?

“Honestly, it was crazy and something like from outer space to be acting with him. I was a big fan of Aamir from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Rangeela days.

“It was fantastic in every different way. Aamir is so seasoned and it was an opportunity to learn from someone like him,” said an elated Monica, who is also fond of Rani Mukerji and would like to share screen space with Nandita Das and Abhay Deol.