Lara’s juggling act
After a talk-of-the-town reception, life has been a runaround for Lara Dutta, juggling marriage, acting and production on Chalo Dilli. Barely two months after her wedding, Lara has dropped right into the deep end of a hectic schedule, though she claims, “I am just enjoying my married life.”
Lara Dutta has come a long way since her debut in Andaaz. “I am a creative person so, no matter what, I’ll always concentrate on my performances. Turning producer is not easy. I have come to learn that producers are the ones responsible for birthing new talent.”
And so, taking this mission forward, Lara is busy organising financial details. “I’ve managed only because of the support of my sister Cheryl Dutta and sister-in-law Kavita Bhupathi,” she says. “I can rest assured that they will handle all requirements, the finances and other essentials.”
But Lara is being modest, she is nothing if not organised, an attribute she owes to her upbringing, she says. “My dad taught me to take care of myself as well as people connected to my life. I am efficient enough to take care of my finances too. He and I discussed everything, from politics to family. Those discussions enriched me and today I have the strength to take care of myself. I am totally my father’s daughter,” she says.
That makes her capable of handling her responsibilities as producer and as householder. As producer, Lara says with confidence, “I have never faced any problems getting the money promised to me. Sometimes people have genuine problems but it has always worked out well for me.”
And as homemaker, she says laughingly, “I shall take the reins of the home ministry in my hands!”
Lara’s versatile strength is evident in Chalo Dilli. Her real-life character, she says, is very close to her reel persona in the film. “My character is interesting … she learns to deal with real challenges, as I’ve had to. Life has taught me how to be real.”
Lara has worked with Salman, Govinda and Shah Rukh Khan. “Salman has a brilliant sense of comic timing, while Govinda is great fun. Shah Rukh is another great actor,” she says of her co-stars, laughingly adding that Shah Rukh “is a big liar, I didn’t cause him to get hurt while shooting for Don 2. He is lying!”
What’s the best part about being married to a South Indian? Has she learnt Tamil? “Of course, a few words here and there. I am in the process of learning the language to perfection. My favourite South Indian food is Bissibela Bhaath, curd rice and dosas, of course. My favourite eateries are Airlines and Koshi and I do enjoy cooking. I will need to take to cooking seriously once I have kids. Until then, I can take it easy.”
Easy, did she say? Hectic schedule aside, she’s also a fitness freak, working out regularly. But that, says Lara, is the reason why she has the stamina to “keep going for hours together”.
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