Acting is my bread and butter: Sushmita Sen

Sushmita Sen's films may not do very well at the box office, but she is one woman who will be remembered for her great attitude. She may have put on weight but she manages to carry off that pretty well too.

She is often written about because of the number of boyfriends she has had, but she is equally known for being the only woman in Bollywood to have adopted a kid without feeling the need to get married. However, it was the latest controversy in her professional life that Sushmita spoke to us about.

The former Miss Universe was recently in the tabloids for saying she would not promote Karma Aur Holi, where she shares space with ex-beau Randeep Hooda. When asked about this, Sushmita candidly told us, “I will not promote the film but to know why you will have to watch the film. I will never take a film to my audience when I do not see any potential in it. Acting is a very dignified profession; it is my bread and butter. I survive by this profession but if a movie leaves me feeling disrespected, I will not promote it.”

What exactly was so unprofessional about the making of the film, we don’t know. Sushmita refused to reveal this secret, insisting that we had to watch the movie first. Karma Aur Holi is directed by New York based filmmaker Manish Gupta and was due to release a long time ago. According to the actress, this is why her refusal to promote the film was accepted quietly by the promotion team.

We came away floored by her attitude and personality, but could not help wondering if this was a publicity stunt to drive audiences to cinema halls. After all, Sushmita’s career is in the doldrums. Many of her films, such as Rani Laxmi Bai and Dulha Mil Gaya, have been shelved. What we can't deny though, is that she is unlike any other Bollywood actress. When she left, she was the one driving the car while her make-up man, secretary and other assistants sat in the back. Maybe, that is why she is still recognised in this fickle-minded industry today.