A mix of everything in fact. See, I have had been part of films like Dor, Manorama Six Feet Under and Dhoop and I am extremely proud of them. Similarly, I am proud of films like Hello and Hello Darling which would be seeing me in a glam look. It is only coincidental that these films are arriving in a bunch. And in the interim there is also this fun movie called Straight. So as you see, I continue to play the balancing game!
Let them be if that's what keeps media happy! I am clear that if I had to generate controversies, I could have done so 4-5 years back when I just started out in movies. I remember PR people coercing me at that time to come up with quotable quotes, do something outrageous, get some heat on; you know the works! I was at an initial stage of my career and could have done that to be in THE news. But did I do that? No, because that's not my style of working and would never be.
Of course yes! One should be capitalizing on what you are. In any case, after all it is show business and it doesn't harm to let people know the real you. If I am sexy and subtle, I want people to know that. On a magazine cover, you get to see the real Gul; the lady who has a mind of her own. On camera, I would again be playing characters and that would have nothing to do with me wearing a swimsuit or showing cleavage. You can be a serious actor but be fun in real life!
I guess you aren't getting the point. See for me, what carries utmost importance is to do what I feel is right. You may call me a rebel for driving a Royal Enfield, you may call me a rebel for driving a Formula I car, you may call me a rebel for running kilometers at stretch and if that's your definition of someone being a rebel then I am surprised that how could wearing a night costume be categorized as a rebellious act. (Laughs) In any case, to curb the 'shock value' (the way you may want to term it), it's not as if suddenly I have walked out of my robes and emerged in a two piece bikini!
Of course yes! Those close to me know me for what I am and I guess even the industry too has come to realize now that regardless of some of the arty roles I have done, I don't carry that garb with me in my personal life. I am a hot, hip and a sexy chic and I am proud of that. In any case I have always worn Western outfits in real life as well. So puhleeze, don't look at me with such a shocked expression on your face. I am not shocked, you shouldn't be surprised either!
