Hard Talk/ Tara Deshpande

Hard Talk/ Tara Deshpande
SANJUKTA SHARMA

`My writing abilities have not diminished because I am acting in a David Dhawan movie'

The actress-turned-writer is soon emerging in a new avataar -- Hindi film heroine, in a David Dhawan film opposite Govinda. That too, just before her second book, Love of Any Kind, goes into print. Doesn't Tara want people to accept her as a serious writer?

My being in a commercial film has nothing to do with my writing skills. It's not that my writing abilities have diminished because I have acted in a David Dhawan film. Besides, Indians who have a taste for good English literature are intelligent enough to differentiate my commitment as a writer and as an actress, be it commercial cinema or theatre. I have full faith in my readers. The response to my first book overwhelmed me, because I expected to be torn to shreds.

What exactly was the response? Didn't it receive bad reviews?

Except for one review which was deliberately nasty, the rest were in the lines of constructive criticisism. I've had numerous mails from readers who have really appreciated the book and at the end of it all, that's what matters. The best part was that, the readership included young people between the age group of 16 and 35, which was heartwarming, because, my book had opened up a new market. The publishers were extrememly happy.

That could also mean her writing wasn't literary enough for a mature reader.

Well, the sales belie that. I just meant that the book had a young reader group apart from the normal readers.

And what is the new book all about?

It is a collection of verse and short stories, with love as its central theme. Not love stories, exactly, but love is a recurring theme, as a propeller of the plots.

And is this book also going to have a gala launch?

Yes, it is going to be launched in New York and London and followed by formal all-India releases in different cities, by the end of the year. This time, I'm looking for a publisher who is going to be good in terms of marketing, packaging as well as proof-reading.

Tara seems quite keen on aggressive marketing. Does that mean other careers will take a backseat?

Right now, I'm planning to concentrate on acting. At least for another couple of years after the book is launched. Around August, four films are going to be released and I'm busy shooting a few others. I'll get back to writing when I can give my time to it.

But doesn't good writing require constant exercise? A good writer can't "get back" to writing. It's a full-time passion for all we know.

That's exactly why I'm not going to write now. I know my limitations as a writer. I have a lot to work on, which, I can only cultivate when I am relatively free of other commitments.

Lastly, why David Dhawan?

I think very highly of him. I think his films are a lot of fun. It's not easy to get all the ingredients right to make people laugh. David Dhawan has mastered that. It's been a great experience working with him. In fact, I don't understand why people believe commercial films are a cakewalk. They aren't. The hard work that goes into it is really worth every penny at the box office.

Since Tara seems determined to be a Jack of all trades, there must be something else she is working on right now?

Yes. I have translated a Marathi play, Aashi Pakhara Eeti by Vijay Tendulkar, into English and I'm staging this play under the banner of my theatre company, The Touring Theatre Company, sometime by the end of the year.