Write ups

 



OF BLACK WIND AND SILVER SCREEN
THE HINDUSTAN, NEW DELHI – DEC 9, 2004

   


SHE IS an actress, a painter, a poet, a writer, a director, a producer and finally a human being who has the zeal and the courage to row through the sharp currents of life. When you think about Deepti Naval, you think of the rich oeuvre of films – Chashme Buddoor, Mirch Masala, Ankahi, Main ZindaHoon, Panchvati, Saudagar and more recently Leela and Freaky Chakra.

In Delhi this past week for the launch of her book of poems “Black Wind” at Oxford Bookstore in association with Mapin Publishing, the acclaimed actress speaks, “Black Wind extends the scene a little but the world outside is not very different from the madhouse in ‘The Silent Scream’, the other part of the book. These poems constitute a direct and honest female voice speaking of suffering, madness, pain and are based on real life and personal experiences.”

Though she had written some poems in early in nineties in Hindi and Urdu, in 1981, she switches back to English writing. Reason? “I feel freer to express myself in English.”

Further speaking about her new book, she informs, “The first part of the book ‘Black Wind’ deals with issues like broken relationships, abortions, lost chances, city riots, love, suicidal thoughts and second half, ‘The Silent Scream’ comprises 19 poems and is the outcome of women encounters in mental hospitals and evokes powerfully the dread, freedom and horror of life within.”

And like any other author-poet, she hopes people to read the book.

Reaching out

But what expectation does she have form it?
“My intention was to reach out to people and see the feedback. This is my second book, which has come after a long gap and I am very happy that I have dealt with one chapter of life,” she murmurs.

Switching on to her primary career of a film actress, she explains, “I do only those roles that please me, give me joy. I do not keep acting if it does not give me any pleasure and moreover, I need interesting roles at this stage.”

Deepti discloses that she is “too much of a wanderer” to be rooted at one place while waiting for roles that please me, give me joy. I do not keep acting if it does not give me any pleasure and moreover, I need interesting roles at this stage.”

Deepti discloses that she is “too much of a wanderer” to be rooted at one place while waiting for roles. “When I was looking for good work I was pushed into the ‘Bhabhi’ roles. Then I realised if security means putting on make up and waiting for hours for your co-star to come then I didn’t want it,” she narrates. She says, “Diverting into other things like painting, writing short stories and poetry was a conscious decision but offers keep coming to me.”

“And then the offer to play the part of Chaitali in Leela came followed by Freaky Chakra,” she continues.

Not having signed any film now, Deepti is all set to sizzle with her “Black Wind” and says, “I would like to do the roles that befit my age group and some happy ones too.” Much as she is content with being on the periphery of showbiz, her hunger for better roles seems unabated though.

BHAWNA SATSANG