A Chat with Vasundhara Das

Ques: One line on 'Hey Ram!'
V.D: It's a film that has to be watched. A must see, despite its box-office rating.

Ques: Favourite film director?
V.D: I am not a movie buff so I don't have favourites. I am just now getting to see a lot of films.

Ques: Would you do a 'Fire'?
V.D: I would think about it. I wouldn't say a no, outright.

Ques: Which came first. Hey Ram or 'Shakalaka Baby'
V.D: Hey Ram! I sang 'Shakalaka' much after shooting started.

Ques: On Kissing Kamal?
V.D: Very clinical

Ques: What's your kind of music?
V.D: I like to listen to a lot of world music. Spanish music, Portuguese music. I sing in Spanish. And English and Hindi, Tamil and Telugu too.

Ques: Why this sudden popularity of Latin Music?
V.D: It's just that a lot of Latin stars have come to the international arena recently. Otherwise Latin music has always been very popular. It's lot more 'Daney' than it used to be. Lots of kids from the younger generation are listening to it. It's music that comes from the heart that you can dance to. It's got a new definition since Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez entered the scene.

Ques: On your Dubai trip?
V.D: During the Dubai shopping festival, there was this Indian Pavilion there. And I was there representing South India along with singer Srinivas.

Ques: What does Indi Pop mean to you?
V.D: A lot of experimentation. But I don't see people exploiting the actual sense of Indi, as much as they are doing pop. There is more pop than Indi.

Ques: Favourite Singers?
V.D: Many, I like Sting. As a kid the inspiration was Whitney Huston. And my Guru Pandit Parameshwar Hegde. He taught me Hindustani music in Bangalore, for the past six years.

Ques: Favourite music Composer?
V.D: I like Sting's arrangements. Rehman is fantastic. He lets me experiment.

Ques: How far would you go to get a role you wanted?
V.D.: If I was meant to get it I would. Probably I would let them know that I am interested. Nothing beyond that.

Ques: Any secret dreams?
V.D: To be a big, big, big popular singer. With great, great, great tracks to my credit. And to have everybody that I love around me.

Ques: Your greatest fear?
V.D: Darkness.

Ques: Quality you most hate in a man?
V.D.: Chauvinism.

Ques: Quality you love in a man?
V.D.: Open Mindedness.

Ques: Your idea of love?
V.D: It's wonderful thing. And needs to be cherished and nourished.

Ques: A compliment you can't forget?
V.D: From my mother. When she let me go and said, "I don't know what will happen. But I know you will do it,".

Ques: Singing or acting?
V.D: Both

Ques: Would you marry someone with no bank balance, but a big heart?
V.D: Definitely, in a jiffy.

Ques: If you were caught in a lift with crazy fans?
V.D: I would indulge them in conversation. (Giggles).

Ques: Choose between a Kamal and a Ghai Film
V.D.: I will do both

Ques: Don't play safe!
V.D: (Giggles). Ok Now that I've seen this side, probably I would want to see the other side too!