In an interesting chat with Rani Mukerji, one of the leads in the upcoming movie 'Talaash', she talks about her experience working in the film.

1. Tell us about your character in Talaash.

Let me clear this first of all, about the film and about the character, I can't say anything apart from that it is a suspense-drama thriller. Any other question about the movie I cannot reveal. We want the audience to discover it gradually.

2. Rani, you are more experienced than your director in terms of movies, and this is the second time you are working with a less experienced director. So how would you define the way, they have treated your character?

See, what happens is, there is a difference when you are working with directors who are seasoned, and directors who are slightly newer to the film making. And there is an advantage and disadvantage to both. Let me start with the seasoned, because that would be better to understand. Seasoned directors, who probably have five films behind them, cannot give more time. They cannot direct all the films in a short span of time because directors need much more time. So seasoned are experienced, they probably know everything about their job, all the nuances. But then with seasoned directors come, successful and unsuccessful directors. Then there comes a time where new directors come, they have an advantage that they don't have that much experience, but what they have with them, an enthusiasm, a spirit and an attitude that they want to make something different. So obviously, when you work with both, seasoned or new, and you're getting something good out of both, with the newer ones you get enthusiasm and spirit and with experienced ones you get experiences and to learn.  So I think, for an actor what is important is that they do films with directors who they get along with, like for me it's very important for me to work with a director with whom I am very comfortable, because I know if I am comfortable my work will be that much better. And I like if there is a mutual respect between both of them.

3. How was your experience working with a female director?

'Female' director! Okay according to me directors don't have a gender, whether male or females, directors do their job, their job is to direct the scene and normally irrespective of male or female, a director has to follow the script. The only difference that could possibly be between directors is good and bad; there is nothing like male and female. And in this case Reema is really good. Period.

4. Is this your first film with a woman director?

Yes! But Reema will slap me if I call her a 'woman' director...(Laughs), so I would like to put it as she is my director and I had a wonderful time working with her. There is no male or female involved here (Hearty laugh).

5. Earlier in an interview, Reema said that you were like a first bencher student, what do you have to say about that?

Okay, fine, thank you. I would take it as a compliment. (Smiles and takes a pause) What happens in a relation between an actor and director is much like that. We actors are always probably looking for a director's approval. After the shot we are looking at the director's face to tell okay tha ke nahi shot? (Was it good enough?) So when the director finally says, okay, it makes you happy that yes you have satisfied your director at least for that particular direction. That's the relation that an actor and director share. Because audience see the film later. But what we are dealing with is whether we are able to reach out to the captain of the ship that is the director’s vision. And if that individual is happy with your work, you feel good. So you want to do exactly what he wants you to do and what makes him okay your scene.

6. Over so many years, we have seen the emphasis given on film marketing and promotions before the release, how do you take the promotional activities of Talaash, because they have kept it quite low… do you think you might not get any mileage out of it?

See, luckily this time, Aamir is a part of this film (smiles); Aamir is the one whose films are like completely blind. So that's the reason if you know it's an Aamir Khan film you might want to go and watch. Irrespective of whether you like the promo or you didn't. So at least that factor is there that Aamir shows his hard work and dedication through his choice of films and characters. He has impressed people and followed this method all through, and I can say this with much pride, because when I debuted, he was a huge star then. And today I work with him after years when he is a still bigger star, a huger star. So what has happened with his work and his choice of films, audiences have got glued to it! Whether Aamir promotes it 'A' way, 'B' way, it doesn't matter. For people if it's an Aamir movie, they want to watch. That's the kind of respect he has earned. And the strategy with which he promotes the film, we cannot deny the fact that he is a very intelligent man, and if he decides of doing it in some way he probably knows what he is doing. And me as an actor is doing exactly the job I am supposed to do. The marketing team has told us these are the interviews you have to do, so I have to do it.

7. Are you surprised with how film promotions are blown out of proportion these days?

Now, I don't get surprised with anything that happens in the industry (laughs). I will say here, change is constant!

8. You have worked with Aamir in the past, what changes have you found in him over the years?

OMG! See about Aamir I can say only one thing that he has grown from strength to strength. When I did a film with him, I used to look at his shoes. I was a huge Aamir Khan fan. So when I actually did a film with him, I was like OMG! He is 'The Aamir Khan', now I have to do a romantic scene with him… so I was so nervous and so shy that I used to look at his shoes. I never looked into his eyes because I thought if I did, I will fall in love with him.

9. So now do you still keep looking at his shoes?

(Laughs) NO! Now, I look into his eyes, I keep gazing at him straight and he keeps telling me don't look at me like that. Friendship has grown, there is obviously more comfort level.

10. The kind of focus Aamir has, do you think you have it in you?

I would like to believe that I have it. You would have to ask Aamir whether I do or I don't. He will be the right person to answer. And obviously having this much of focus is a good thing. Because of that focus he has made such an impression on the audience today that people want to know everything about him. This is all because of the single- minded focus that he has and it's great. Somewhere down the line if we see, his dedication has shown through his work. Also the kind of films he chooses to do, have had an impact on people’s life. He has earned that respect and love from the audience.

11. Now that you don't look at his shoes anymore, has it ever happened, that when he corrected you or told you something, you've heard him but said, "thank you so much I'll see what needs to be done,"?

See, what happens is I have always treated myself as a youngster or learner in front of probably two people, Aamir and Shahrukh, because that's how I started my career. So I do look up to them in a different way. They being my backstabbed friends, best friends, or buddies has nothing to do with my workspace. When I work with them, I carry a different attitude because I look at them in a different manner. I don't feel shy anymore but I do respect them. So when they suggest something to me, it's very important for me to pick up their suggestions, because I know what they are suggesting is for my good. And when you are working with your seniors, you take inspiration from them, you like to be guided by them. You like to listen to them because they are making sense, because they are from the same field. So when they are acting with me, acting is give and take. So when somebody like Aamir tels me that "Rani, I think we should do it like that," I would always take it as okay may be I am wrong, I'll do the way Aamir says.

12. You have worked with all the 3 Khans in the industry. Whom do you like working with and whom to do like the most?

(Laughs) it's a very clichéd question but I like the way you have asked me this, 'innocently and with I-don’t-mean-anything-else' tone. (Smiles and takes a pause) See, now be it Aamir, Salman or Shah Rukh, I think I have a soft corner for all three of them. Because at a very impressionable age I worked with them; when I was 17-18 it's just that you look up to some people and that always remain irrespective of whatever happens in life. You will look up to them and the comfort level that you have is great. Because the kind of love and support they showed on me when I was young, that makes me feel closer to their heart. They think I am really good, so that makes me feel better and I also think they are outstanding so that makes them glad. (Proudly smiles)

13. Rani, within a short gap, you had 2 films, one which didn't fare quite well, and the other is already been declared as a success. So how was it for you to switch from one to another, how do you take these steps?

(Hearty laugh) Do you mean how do I take from flop to hit jump? Oh! It's lovely and I enjoy it. (Tells jokingly) You can say from hit to a flop to a hit… from Jessica to Aiyaa to Talaash. But let us not put it like that right now because Talaash is not yet released. But yes, fingers crossed. It is always full of experiences; there have been some positives in the flop as well. But well, for me all of them were successful, because I would never do such a film which I wouldn’t like. For me success is defined as audience applauding your performance and that has always happened, irrespective of how the film has performed. In Aiyaa's case I would probably take it as people didn't come which is a sad situation for me, because we actors are always craving for love and adulation. If your film becomes a box office hit, that simply means that lots of people have watched your film, there were eyeballs focusing on you; and that is what pleases an actor. So I don't really get stuck with the result like if my film is a success I don't keep partying and forget everything else. Or if it's a flop, I don't keep regretting that this is my flop, I have to live with this harsh fact now (tells jokingly). It's all a part of life. (Smiles) It was fortunately the case that the  audience disliked my acting, now I can't do anything about the story. A story that might appeal to me, might not appeal to you. Even in Aiyaa's case, I liked the story line, may be the audience did not. But they did like 'me' in the movie. My dance will be remembered, my work was appreciated. So there are always some positives and negatives attached with everything, so it's better to live with the positives. (Smiles)

14. Second film with Kareena, how was your bonding with her?

I and Kareena have actually worked last in 2000 for 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge', and from then to now, which has been a journey of 12 years, I think we have a lot of love and respect for each other, though we haven't worked after that together, I think whenever we meet at parties or social gatherings there has always been love between both of us. In this film, unfortunately, we didn't have any scenes together, so there was no chance for us to bond on the sets. But the good part is we all three are in the same film, and hopefully people will like it.

15. Your last two films were woman-centric films and they will be remembered as Rani Mukerji’s films and Talaash is now known to be Aamir Khan's film, so what do yo have to say about that?

Why are you talking like that before the release? (Furiously) you watch the film first, may be you will remember me in the end of the movie. Like that I even did Ghulam with Aamir, but people remember me as 'Khandala Girl'. He did that act with the match stick, but people remember my smile.