I’m an idealistic Bengali: Lisa Ray
Lisa Ray (left) still believes that cinema has the power to create positive social change. In an interview with HT Café, the actor said she is an “idealistic Bengali” and wants the Indian film industry to continue to push for more positive representations in Hindi films, similar to how “socially conscious” movies dominated the industry decades ago. Speaking about the increasing popularity of content-driven movies in India, Lisa says, “The kind of cinema I enjoy is finally being made in India. In the ’90s, I was only offered mainstream films when I always ached to do offbeat ones… The industry is more systemised and organised now. There are stylists, managers and bound scripts, which is a positive change.” The actor also feels digital content and web series will have takers. “As long as great stories are being told, they [web series] will find an audience,” she says.
But the actor, says people in B-Town had “greater emotional connections” in the ‘90s. “The creative drive was greater and the concern wasn’t just about a pay cheque. The heart has been lost in the day-to-day routine of Bollywood,” says Lisa.
The actor was last seen in Ram Gopal Varma’s Veerappan this year. Speaking about the movie, Lisa states that she didn’t see the project as a way to get back “into the fray”. “I’ve always been unconventional in my choices. I work on projects that please me with no regard to how they will get me ahead [in my career]. I’ve led my entire life this way, and that’s a form of success for me.” The Water (2005) actor adds that she isn’t working for money. “I can’t schmooze — I just show up [on set], do my work and leave, while it seems the networking is a big part of the industry today. Still, I get offers and opportunities despite all that, and I’m grateful [for that]. I have a life outside all of this,” she says.
Lisa is still remembered for her stint in Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s hit track, ‘Afreen afreen’. Ask her what she thinks about the current trend of singles featuring Bollywood actors, and she says, “That’s fun. I’m still surprised that the audience today remembers Afreen, and I’m reminded that it was a pioneering video.”