Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on Aaradhya's reaction to Maleficent 2, film with Mani Ratnam, Gulab Jamun

Considering Angelina Jolie, she's a popular star. When you're doing a voiceover for her, so do you keep that in mind that people know? So I have to be, you know, I have to modulate my voice a bit. It's not, because it's not... You know, after a long time you made your debut on Instagram. How is it going right now? Like, how's the experience? I think... Sharing stuff and all. So is Gulab Jamun with Abhishek happening? Hi, this is Gaurang from ZoomTV.com and I have with me Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with me. Hello Aishwarya, welcome to ZoomTV.com. Thank you. You know, first of all, it came all of a sudden when the first teaser was dropped and I was surprised to see you weave black magic in that teaser. So, you know, last year when Mowgli had released, Anil Kapoor was telling how it was difficult for him to, you know, to bring the desire and intensity of the character he was voicing for because that was done initially by someone else. So how was it for you when you were giving the voiceover for Angelina? Well, yeah, obviously, because this was a first for me as well in terms of the experience of doing a voiceover for another actor's work. I mean, I remember speaking along with Abhishek because he had also done Bagheera for Mowgli and he, of course, laughed and he was like, yeah, we have done, but they're still, you know, animated or animals or those kind of characters, which is different as well. So he said, go check this out. And I'm like, yeah, this is going to be unique. And this did just like it got revealed to you all suddenly. It was pretty last minute for me as well, because as they very generously shared with you how it was pretty last minute with them as well in a meeting when Disney, they decided, OK, they're going to kind of approach me. And I fortunately had that week literally before I was traveling to Paris for the show. So I was like, OK, if there's time, let's kind of try and throw this in. And I was happy to come on board because I had also actually seen the first part just that week. So I'd just seen it and I was like, this is strange. Like two days later, I get this mail asking whether I would do the voiceover. I was like, is this some kind of, you know, strange meant to be kind of thing? And so we explored whether we could professionally first achieve it within the short window of time. And once that was agreed, I obviously needed to see the movie in whatever version they could show it to me, because I'm a committed actor. I'm a true professional. I'm not going to just look at an opportunity. I have to want to do, essay the part, be part of that narrative and storytelling the way I'd view any movie that I was going to be a part of, with the actor on screen or even lending my voice. So I saw it and I was like, I mean, I liked Maleficent, the first part already. So I was curious as to how this story unfolds and I liked what I saw. And I said, OK, she's Maleficent in full bloom. And it's a story. It's a narrative. If I dubbed in Hindi, I felt would be relatable to our viewers as well. It's the kind of story that storyline that people would enjoy. And visually, it's an experience. It's theatrical, you know. So I said, all right, this is something I could do, I would want to do. And I want to explore. And, you know, it's a wonderful character. And so it was unique for me to go into a dubbing theater and do a voiceover for another actor's work. But, you know, once I was in there, I was an actor. You're an actor and there you are doing your part. But it's unique because, one, that isn't you performing on celluloid. Two, you're doing it in suddenly another language. So you have to adapt to Hindi dialogue that will tell you that very story and those emotions. And yet you have to make it theatrical in Hindi. Because even she's played it. She has this way of talking and a little high-pitched. And it's very like sing-song in a lot of scenes. So you have to still make that work, even in Hindi, that people relate to it. And, you know, have to understand this is the character. And this is the way she speaks. And this is the way she conveys her emotions. And, you know, the writer Mayur Puri has worked at sitting. And I was like, how do you guys do it, man? Because it's interesting to see how professionals do it. I mean, one, it has to work. And then it has to convey exactly what has been done. Then you have to figure out lip-sync where it's another language. But there is, see, it isn't a conventional scene. She is a theatrical character. There is a little drama to the way she even says her dialogue. So it was all in all a new experience. And professionally I enjoyed it because I know I've come away having explored something new. And I think I've always been that kind of actor. Like I always want to look for something new to have come away with. Apart from what I give to my work, I come away enriched with something. And this experience was new for me. So I felt enriched creatively. Considering Angelina Jolie, she is a popular star. So when you are doing a voice-over for her, do you keep that in mind that people know? So I have to modulate my voice a bit. It's not because it's not my performance. I have to be true to that performance. And I have to be true to what the writers want of me because the director is not coming here. It isn't the director of the movie who is now coming and asking you to readdress the performance. But it is the only professionals you are in touch with now is the writer. The writer who is adapting it to your Hindi audience. So in a way that writer is taking on the part of a kind of a director for the voice-over. And then again you have to keep it true to the narrative as well. So it's a mix of different professionals' wants that I have to keep in mind when I am there in front of the mic. So when you are the actor, then you have collaborated with the director for the performance. And after that when you are in your dubbing theatre, you are doing what you want to do to work with your performance. But this is somebody else's. So it's not about the self. It's about someone else and that's what you do. We all grew up watching Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent was a different take on that same story. Yeah, I thought it was amazing because you are right. We have all seen the story of Aurora and that's what I am saying. When the film came, I had not seen it. So I had just seen it that week. We all had an impression that Maleficent is the evil queen or the evil fairy or whatever. You have no idea what the story is. And you come away really liking her when you see the first part. And you are like, she is the one who gives the true love's kiss. It was so wonderful. It was an embodiment of suddenly a perspective of the maternal instinct and she becomes the godmother. Something none of us had even thought of. So I think that was a wonderful revelation in the first part. Like we discussed, Abhishek did last year for Mowgli but that was a bit of a darker version of the Jungle Book. So how was it this time for Aradhiya when she got to know that you will be Maleficent? Well, like I said, interestingly we had seen Maleficent literally three days before I got the call. So it was fresh. It was at bedtime. I was taking her to bed and the mail came and I don't know how I happened to look at it. I think I was setting the alarm for morning school. And I was like, why am I reading Maleficent? I was like, this is bizarre. And I looked at the message again and I was like, are you serious? I am being asked for Maleficent. And so she heard it because I said it aloud. I was like, what? Why is the Maleficent coming on my phone? And she went, what? Maleficent? And I said, yeah, yeah, no, I mean, the movie's done. I'm not being obviously going to be playing the part. So I said it obviously aloud to her. I said, but I'm being asked to do the voiceover for the Hindi version. So she's like, still Maleficent. It was just so fresh in our minds. So we both smiled and I said, interesting. I said, I want to know what's happening in this part. I'd be keen on knowing how the story unfolds. But yeah, maybe this is something I would consider. So she heard it immediately. And she's once been, I've once taken her with me for the dubbing of a commercial for L'Oreal or something. So we always laugh about it. I said, dubbing is, she's like, oh, it's, you're worth it. I said, yeah, it's like that. One of those things I loved. I said, so it's like that. I'll be going to a room. I won't be really enacting the part, but I'll be doing the voice. So she knew what I'm, what I'm going to be doing. But I saw her eyes light up and because she liked this character as well. She'd just seen it. So she liked the character. So I smiled. I said, okay. Makes her eyes light up. And that's kind of also, it makes you inch towards. Exactly. Yes. So after, you know, after a long time, you made your debut on Instagram. How is it going right now? Like how's the experience? I think. Sharing stuff and all. Really, my well-wishers are just so generous and loving, yeah. Because, you know, even my, I think my account is just so basic. And it's just so normal. I mean, I'm not doing anything to yet play into making it anything more than just. It's like, I think sharing a little personal album. Exactly. I think that's the way I have kept it so far. And I haven't been uploading any kind of other dramatic photographs or interviews so far. And still the love has been so overwhelming and everyone's on it. I mean, within seconds, because I have no gauge. Because I don't know how it works, right? So I didn't know. I don't know whether it's good. It's not good. What it means. Because I've never really focused on numbers and things like that. But everyone around me will instantly say, are you serious? You just put it up and within seconds, just look at the number of people liking it or watching it. And I'm like, how sweet. Really. Thank you all. You're just so generous with your love and time and attention and your, you know, their comments. So my love right back to all my well-wishers all over the world. Seriously. We haven't seen you in Hindi films for over a year. So anything you can tell us about. Well, I'm going to be doing a Tamil film. Actually, I committed to Mani very early this year. So I kind of and we both knew time will fly because I had some other little commitments through the year. So I said, OK, you know, maybe just let me focus towards doing this one. Because like I keep saying, you know, you just feel money is like going back to school because money is like. Yeah, exactly. Right. So he evokes that even in us. I mean, because we are also his audience and I've had the opportunity of, I mean, being like a student of my first film with him. So moment I feel and he's doing a big one. I mean, Ponny and Selvam is is a huge movie that he's going to be embarking upon this narrative. And at least that's the way I kind of see it. I mean, his vision will be his. So I keep telling him and when we kind of share, I'm like, look, this is my vision in my head. Yours is going to be one for even two for me to discover probably on day one at work, because I don't know how he's seeing it. So that will be something even for me to discover. But, you know, just to get to work with. Multiple talents like I got that opportunity in Iruvar with him on my first film. And I literally feel like it's it's a start again, because again, it's this I keep saying, I said, again, it's like a full circle. And then halfway through that details me. So there is this other interesting character. And I'm like, my God, I keep feeling like it's this it's literally like life coming a full circle. And you're getting to be part of this wonderful narrative with different talents. And, you know, that's what films were always to me and more and more so with experience. It's about being part of something special that excites you. It's not it has never mattered to me whether it's a 10 day role or a hundred day role. I never gauge key. Is this a main character? Is that a main character? It's about saying a character. Yes. And to work with. And, you know, my directors have been fabulous. My audience has been amazing. And to add, of course, my colleagues, my costars, the professionals, the DOPs. I mean, everybody who the styling, everybody who works together. I have been blessed to have had wonderful collaborative experiences. And the biggest proof is that the audience, I mean, if your character leaves an impression, then you don't go around gauging which minute did you appear on screen or which minute did you not? I think if you have left that kind of an impact and an impression with the viewer, your character lives. And I have had that wonderful blessing. And I say I've always viewed my work. And I'm so glad it's more and more liberating when you feel now this this approach to work is percolated a lot. And it's nice to work like that. So is Gulab Jamun with Abhishek happening? I just tried my best. Well, it was really good chatting with you. And thank you so much. All the best for Maleficent. Guys, do watch it on 18th of October in Hindi. Thank you. Thank you.