Jiah Khan, all of 19 years, was the love interest of a 60 plus Amitabh Bachchan in the movie. The film bombed but Jiah managed to make her mark, for her statuesque frame, her long legs and the flowing curly mane.
Ask her what she learnt from the film and she withdraws for a moment and then says, “Let’s not talk about it.” But surely working with Big B must have been an experience of a lifetime?
“Of course, when you work with an actor of his stature, you learn so much knowingly or unknowingly. It was undoubtedly a big break for me and it was a beautiful experience working with the superstar,” she is quick to say. But today Jiah Khan has two big films in her kitty. One is Ghajini opposite Aamir Khan and another film, directed by Ken Ghosh, opposite Shahid Kapur.
She has gone on record to say that it was her dream to work with Aamir Khan, and now it has been fulfilled. “It’s everybody’s dream to work with Aamir, he is easily the best we have today. I am extremely lucky to have been cast opposite him in the film,” gushes Jiah Khan.
And what about working with Shahid in Ken Ghosh’s next? “Please, I am under contract and can’t speak at all about this film,” she says.
In-between the release of Nishabd and the announcement and shooting of her latest films, where has she been?
“I was in London spending time with my sister and family. Otherwise too, I am not the party types, and don’t believe in being in the limelight for no reason. It’s not that I was idling time, I was working on my look and makeup and clothes for Ghajini, which has been shot extensively in South Africa. I also utilised the time to work on my diction,” informs Jiah.
In Ken Ghosh’s next film, which is a musical, Jiah will be trained by a Hollywood choreographer for her dance numbers.
A trained dancer herself, Jiah says, “I am not talking about my role in the film, but yes, when it comes to dancing it is all the same, right from Salsa to Kathak, we all dance to rhythm, which is there in our limbs.”
The leggy actress has often been heard admiring the oomph factor of Bipasha Basu. Ask her about this and she says, “Each actress has some sort of an individual charm, which works for her. I find Bipasha’s shoulders and arms very well toned and attractive.”
And where does her sex appeal lie? Maybe in her long legs? “Oh, I don’t think I’m tall enough to be called leggy. I think it’s for others to decide.”
And as she begins to get good roles, is there any particular strategy that she has in mind for her career? “I’m happy with the way things are today, and life is looking good, I have just one guideline that I adhere to. I close my eyes and hear the script, if I can picture myself in the role, I accept it,” she says.
