In the city, which when awake is still sleeping, and when asleep is still awake, XEHER speaks to the lady herself in the heart of Mumbai - Jiah Khan
2008-11-27
"I might be the way Everybody likes to say, I know watcha' thinking about me, There might be a day, You might have a certain way But you don't have my luxuries, And it's me I know, I know my name 'cause I say it proud, Everything I want I always do"
Misunderstood; the lyrics to Pink's song could have been written solely for Jiah Khan herself. A name unknown changed to form a name that would flow from everybody's lips in the breath of conversations today.
Young, raw and determined, this stunning beauty began her acting career opposite none other than the legend himself, Amitabh Bachchan in one of India's most controversial films till date - Nishabd.
In the sweltering heat of Mumbai city, I finally arrived at my destination, one of the cities most trendiest and fashionable bar-restaurants amongst the elites where unknown to the passers outside, inside was one of today's leading actresses shooting for a yet to be revealed international brand campaign.
As I entered Olives, the atmosphere was immersed with camera equipment, a vanity van, stylists, journalists and more, and at the epicentre of this organised chaos was the star herself, Jiah.
Standing and observing anxiously, I was about to experience my first meeting with the beautiful, young and ambitious actress that had made her entrance with nothing less than a 'bang' in the crazy world of cinema.
The camera lights dimmed and I am informed by her manager that she has a few moments to spare before her next look for her shoot. She courteously offers me a handshake, a kiss on both cheeks followed by a striking smile. Her sweet, and extremely well spoken English reminded me of her roots - I was meeting with the heart of London's, very own Chelsea girl; the ice was broken immediately. "Hi!!! Lovely to meet you" Her sweet voice silenced the surrounding and I was immediately taken in.
We spoke briefly until her next shot took place. It was then I came to witness the enthusiasm and professionalism she brings to her work. It is this determined attitude which is bringing her on a par with today's leading actresses of Indian cinema. Giving her best to the look required I can only be excited about our very own shoot which lies only three days away. Reminiscent of yester-years Madonna, mesmerizing the camera and oozing with fortitude she carries off with ease some of the most intricate shots, and the sparkle in the photographer's eye answers the question on everyone's mind - they have canned the shot they needed!
And so, back into the rush of this crazy, flamboyant and exciting city, I leave our stylist with Jiah to ensure all the correct fittings are made, and that XEHER's next cover will be an absolute sell out!
Before I knew it, the day of our cover shoot had arrived. "She's every stylists dream" said Ric, our stylist who has worked with only the best. Everything was in place, just as I had imagined it and Jiah was almost ready. Moments later she exited her dressing room and for a second, time stood still. Everyone stole a glance as Jiah approached the camera looking effortlessly beautiful. "I'm ready guys!" she yelled in excitement. Here stood before everyone was Jiah, the woman they were yet to see, and the lady she was yet to be seen as. She worked the camera, taking delight in every frame, positively basking in the glamour around her. It was then that I decided that there was no time like the present to commence my interview with her as it seemed to me she was in nothing less than her element.
Wearing a dress that was fit for only an A List celebrity walking along the red carpet at the Oscars I realised that Jiah had every capability to fit into that category. She oozed glamour, presence and all things we love about celeb's - it was literally gushing from her in buckets as she awoke before the camera. There were no doubts in my mind that this is what she was born to do.
Rather than ask the nymphet of niceness about her background and the rest, I felt from our brief conversation prior to hitting record she's done so much at such a young age that it's more a journey which has led her to where she is now, and this too is the end of one phase and the first step of another journey. "I was born as an actress; there are no doubts about that. I always dreamt of becoming an actress right from the age of three. I remember an incident at the JFK airport, New York, where I was talking to my fake boyfriend on my fake mobile phone and nobody could believe that there was no one on the phone. The more the people looked at me; I would make it more dramatic, just to prove that it was real. So I guess it was in my blood". It couldn't have been any clearer. "I started dancing when I was like six. I've done ballet, jazz, reggae, samba, lambada, belly dancing, kathak - the list is simply endless", she says barely able to contain her ecstatic enthusiasm.
For those who don't know Jiah, originally born in New York, her upbringing has been entirely in the UK, making her more British than anything else. Nafisa, being her real name became Jiah overnight as stardom struck her with her debut film 'Nishabd'.
Born to a father who walked out on her family at a very young age, Nafisa come Jiah has learnt the hard way. In true rags to riches style I spoke to Jiah about her upbringing and couldn't but help think of the story of a young 'Christina Aguilera'. "I grew up without a father but it hasn't affected my life in the sense that I don't really know what its like to have a father. He left when I was really young. So ignorance in a sense is bliss. I've never missed not having a father figure because my mother has successfully been both a mum and dad to us. Nafisa, which is my real name, is very different from Jiah. I changed my name because I wanted to have a different personality for my audiences and remain normal with my family?" Having not had the luxuries one would expect from a girl who today resides between Chelsea and Mumbai, Jiah had also spent nights 'living on the streets'. I couldn't but help feel a connection with Jiah, and admired her for the struggle she has had to overcome to become the woman she is now. But had it made her bitter? "I believe every human being should accept their responsibilities. Having a child is a joint decision and not just that there is something called a bond between a child and parent. Only inhumane or disabled people can leave a child on their own. Today as an actress, I too have responsibilities towards my audience. As a young actress I am aware I have younger fans who maybe model some of the things I do in public or wear etc..." Principles and responsibility were evidently important - "My mother and my two sweet sisters are my life... I would die, cry, not eat for them... They are my life and everything I make or am doing is for them too... I have a small family but we are very close..." Admirable and honest, Jiah was growing day by day. In front of me she blossomed, but behind the heartache and the struggle she strived only to do what she wanted to do. Today, at the tender age of only 21 she has come leaps and bounds by growing into herself; the successful, attractive and immensely talented woman that she is today.
In describing Jiah now she laughed "I'm witty, outgoing and stupid which makes me very different to how I was when I was a child - that's the reason I changed my name as well. When I'm around people at home, I don't talk". To me I could only understand this as an alter ego, and Jiah agreed "It is - it's really weird" People in London still call me Nafisa. Jiah in my eyes is an extrovert! Hyper, a performer, confident, ambitious and a rebel. Nafisa is a shy traditional girl who believes in romance, loves to read and paint" she said coyly. "I think I'm schizophrenic", she laughed "But anyway, every actress is". It struck me then that although jokingly spoken, perhaps it was true. Did all these actresses take a part away with them after each film they did? Did it mean that they had to deal with constantly finding themselves amongst these lines of dialogue? Reading in between the lines Jiah helped me understand to some extent what being an actress meant. "I went to Lee Strasberg, the acting school in New York. I thought it'd be fun. And then I got my film. It was wonderful but I had no friends. Everyone thought I was an Indian princess. And they weren't allowed to speak to me. Towards the end I found out, and I was like "Dude... I'm just shy. Cos when I don't speak, people think I'm arrogant, and I'm not".
Our shoot was flying by, and now wearing a blood red dress which flowed for what seemed like miles, with hair that looked picture perfect Jiah looked striking. With her beautifully long and enticing hair it did everything to complement her beautiful face and deeply reflective eyes. She sat comfortably and offered me a drink to combat the rising temperature in the Mumbai heat. After exchanging more words it was clear we seemed to be getting on like old friends. The Dictaphone ran as we spoke endlessly about herself, and the place where she is today, sitting with a smile on the fence that has success painted on the other side, biding her time with glee. I couldn?t but help compliment the beauty her hair brings to her. She laughs, "Guys dump me because of my long hair. It's crazy! In London, people are like "Oh, it's fabulous". But here it's the opposite! Over here they're like chasing it with scissors".
By now she has me. I am totally immersed in her sweet charms. We sit having lunch as I take a breather from watching this girl literally grow in front of me through the journey she has narrated to me in the past half hour. Now she has reached another stop, she then goes to talk to me about her upcoming movie, after I question her about 'Nishabd'.
Not only having worked with Amitabh Bachchan, one of India's most legendary actors her next film is with one of the heavyweight Khan's, Aamir Khan.
Her first film with Amitabh Bachchan was a remake of classic 'Lolita', where she played the character of an 18 year old opposite a 60 year old man. Her abilities in this film were remarkable. "My film Nishabd came from out of the blue. I had just left Lee Strasberg in New York and came to India for a holiday. I wanted to get some work experience and approached RGV (Ram Gopal Verma) just at the right time as he was thinking of the particular subject and I suppose I fit right in... By God's graces I?m very appreciative to have gotten such a good launch film". As a newcomer in such a competitive industry I wondered what her experience was like. She had been between New York and London, and now finally reached Mumbai.
"Coming from a school of method acting you learn to accept and make better the role you have. I do not criticise or shy away from the role written for me... Well unless I'm butt naked! Joking... I did have moments when I was depressed cause with method acting every emotion is real...when you cry you really cry!!! As for Mr Bachchan, he is a darling" Charismatic and a very refined actor... I loved every moment with him! And he's got a gangsta collection of sunglasses" she said in complete excitement. "However, I was really nervous about my last scene in the film" It's hard to look pretty embarrassed and cry at the same time... And I had a lot of lines in that scene but I think we shot it in an hour and I would love to work with Mr Bachchan again".
Unconventionally, unlike many aspiring actresses Jiah choose a film which was classed by some as controversial. Many people, in particular the Indian audience were astonished at this film. "I don't believe in playing it safe (role wise I mean). These days there is no such thing. So many multiplexes have come up and they require films... So the more different the better, and from what I've seen recently, a movie lasts a week or so and then audiences are interested in the next". Admittedly I agreed. To some extent as an audience we are spoilt, and when we see something different, because it's unconventional and breaks from the norm of our own society we wrongly reject it. And as for her character in 'Nishabd', I needed not to ask her, as she was completely different. "I think with Indian audiences, whatever character you play, some of them start to believe it - but it's only a fantasy".
Now on the edge of my seat, I wanted to know what her next film was all about. Unexpectedly, she did not rush to sign heaps of films. "I got a lot of appreciation for my work which is what every actor wants ideally. Offers came from the industry but I took my time... I may be young but thank God I'm not hasty and I?m glad because now I have 'Ghajini' with Aamir Khan. 'Ghajini' is a remake of 'Momento' which is about 15 minute amnesia. I play a medical student... (No shorts thank god!) A very plain looking student who studies the brain. Aamir is my patient and I help him in his illness and probing the search for the reason behind him being in this situation.... As for preparing, I have several rehearsals before I shoot and always get involved in the styling aspect of the film. We start shooting in January and I can't wait. Can you believe Aamir is shaving his head and building a six pack especially for me?!" Well, you heard it here first. We talk some more about Aamir and her next film and her excitement grows with each breath. During her travels she has had a beginning, a becoming and now a personal dawn. "He is one of the finest actors - he really is. I was so excited when we met for Ghajini... I was hyper-ventilating. He was like "So, I think we'll do screen tests". It took him 2 days to get back to me - he's such a perfectionist".
Jiah is still smiling and it's become infectious. I can't help but feel happy for her and amazed at how fast and so young she has achieved so much, and so it's now my turn to beam at her and ask along this journey of the last few years, why her destination became Bollywood and what her first memories of Indian films was. "I chose Bollywood, one because I got a smashing role, and can't wait to do more great work. I would love to do a Mani Ratnam film, and I really want to play village girl, with like no make up. And secondly because the reason I decided to become an actress in the first place was to take people away from their lives and into my movie(s). Whether I make them laugh, cry or be passionate it's two hours of fantasy". And in India I've seen the less fortunate people saving up on their food money to watch the latest film..."I think it's beautiful that they find our work de-stressing and I would like to think in a way helps them".
Beneath what many had assumed about Jiah, it couldn't have been any more transparent that she is absolutely misunderstood. Sitting, talking, and getting to know the 'real Jiah Khan' was hardly what I had initially thought it would have been. It proved how quick we are as humans to make judgements upon others through associations that fit into certain schema's in our own minds. Jiah was right, and to some extent it's not just the Indian audience who find it difficult to distinguish between realism and fantasy. Just because she was young, and played the role of a girl opposite an older man didn't make her that girl in the movie. It's funny how we don't mind when a Hollywood actor portrays such a character - in fact we don't even care. But why the hullabaloo when an Indian star does it? "I'm completely misunderstood....I may dress sexy if say I'm going clubbing but trust me, when it gets down to it I'm very very shy so people perceive that as arrogance... So for the record IT'S JUST CAUSE IM SHY"
Films and Jiah Khan - the actress aside, I had got to know more about Jiah then just the glitz and glamour of her career. She was a professional, who had a cause for what she was doing. For her, this too was setting the foundations of her future; just as we all wish too. Here was a woman who had not had a childhood, and was at one point of no fixed address. She learnt the hard way and thanks her mother for a great deal of whom she is now. "My inspiration is not really a certain person or thing.... If it would have to be it would be my mother... I find it very commendable for her to have brought up three young girls alone in a city like London... My inspiration in life on the other hand is to help people. Like I said, it's why I enjoy acting in India, a country so poverty stricken yet everyone smiles. And if my films take them away from their sadness I feel joy. I gave a speech on 'World Aids Day' in Los Angeles recently... The rate at which Aids is overpowering India is terrible and mostly because of ignorance which is of no fault of their own. The stigma of Aids makes thousands of people commit suicide every year... There is no family support; they are people who are discriminated against. I want to make a home or have counselling for these people who feel there is no hope... no one should live life in misery". I was touched by her giving nature. Not many people know, but at the young age of 12 Jiah also took part in two films for UNICEF; one on child abuse, and the other child marriages. She poured generosity and her career path and objectives were unique, honest, and sincere. She was reminiscent of the qualities of superstar Angelina Jolie. In fact, it was Angelina's film 'Gia' which inspired her name. Jiah was a true giver, and having not had the best of upbringings she realised the importance of giving back. It was what many actors in the Indian film industry could be doing but unfortunately they do not think in the way that she does - which gives her a meaningful cause.
Our shoot was over and the day went better than I could have ever imagined. "I think it's the most beautiful shoot ever done of me!" That spoke a thousand words to me. It was time to wrap up before meeting with Jiah for dinner later.
Unexpectedly Jiah offered me a lift back to my hotel before carrying on home herself. It was a gesture that will not be forgotten. Enjoying the company of each other like old friends we continued. We spoke about the notion of being seen as a rebel because it had been prominent ever since she made her presence in the world of media. I had already decided in my head how to describe Jiah after spending this time with her but I wanted to know her thoughts. "I'm not really a rebel. No? There's lots of people at my age at university doing drugs and so on. I'm allowed to like once in a while come home at six in the morning. So not really, but my character was so different in my first film that people were quick to judge me. But, if an obstacle comes my way, then I'm quite the rebel" she laughs.
Going on further whilst stuck in the heat of Mumbai's traffic we went on to talk about life. Our next stop was relationships. We spoke about previous relationships and our own takes on true love, and what we really thought about the topic. "Hmmm...Ideal man - don't have one. True love, I think its absolute rubbish. You know what I was thinking last night. I was in the car, I don't know where I was going, but I like, love is habit - there's no such thing as love alone, it's habit. You know, you start missing people, it's habit. And when you break up and you feel heart broken its not because of love, it's because you've broken that habit. On the flipside however, I'm into poetry, I would cook for my man, I take hours and hours to dress up for my man and can be a complete romantic". Currently single, Jiah made no pretences that she was young, and was allowed to have fun.
Dinner with Jiah was great, as we spoke to the nines about ourselves, life, travelling, partying, ex partners and so on. She made me feel at home. We ate great food and shared great conversations. Here was a woman who I believe could really help promote a positive image of today's generation British Asian Woman. She was real. Right or wrong, somehow it's comforting to think that her world isn't any better than the rest of ours. The amazing thing is, when you talk to her, the girl who today can stand proudly amongst the elites in India, has worked in Music too and has had Hollywood film offers so soon in her career, she seems just like you or me.
Time flies when you're having fun, and that's exactly what happened with us. My date with Mumbai was coming to an end but was an experience worth reliving.
The thought behind our cover story was 'Rebel with a Cause', because that's what we thought Jiah was. As in life, we are constantly redefining aspects of our lives with another definition in hoping to find more meaning. Meeting Jiah did exactly that. Here was a rebel, fighting for a good cause. She had always dreamt of being an actress, and struggled but made her dream a reality. She mastered her art at one of the world's finest institutes and is now basking in the glory of her stardom and bright career she has ahead of her. However in the same breath her past has made her the person she is, and the rebellion in her fights, a cause to make people happier through her work. With one of 2008's biggest Diwali releases - 'Ghajini' this girl sure was heading in one direction only - up and up and up.
I now reintroduce and leave you with the woman who I believe many misunderstood; yet take utmost pleasure in reintroducing her to you. Meet Jiah Khan. A rebel with a 'real' cause.
