The tall, slim Pooja Batra added glamour to the DIFF red carpet. The model-turned-actress will be seen on the screen after a long time as Noor Jehan in Akbar Khan’s Taj Mahal — The Director’s Cut. We spoke to her on the eve of the film’s world premiere at DIFF. How was the experience of a doing historical drama?
It was fantabulous. I enjoyed wearing the costumes and as an actor it was fun to play a conniving, powerful queen, who would do anything to have her way. What are your feelings about the new version?
The film was a bit long and I am glad Akbar has edited it for Western audiences. It is a rare film, one that comes along once in 15 years and audiences will enjoy it if they go in with the frame of mind of watching a different kind of canvas. Why have you not been seen in any Bollywood films for a long time?
I got married to a US-based Indian and now travel between Los Angeles and Mumbai. I am trying to make a career in the US as an executive producer developing Indo-US collaborative film projects. I have had offers from Bollywood but nothing that has touched me. I am cool and willing to wait. How has the DIFF experience been?
This is the first time I am at a festival with a movie and am enjoying every moment. I love Dubai and DIFF’s hospitality has been wonderful. I am a big fan of George Clooney and it was fantastic to meet him. I am impressed by the line up of films and hope to see some international films that I cannot catch in India or the US. At a special screening of Akbar Khan’s Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story held for the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his family, the Prime Minister was visibly impressed by the eternal love story that brings to life the legend of Shah Jehan, the love of his life Mumtaz and the saga behind one of the wonders of the world – The Taj Mahal. Led by Akbar Khan, the entire cast of the film including Sonya Jehan, Zulfikar Sayed, Arbaaz Khan and Pooja Batra were present at the screening along with the Prime Minister and his family. Commenting that the film was very well made and a lesson in history to every Indian, Dr. Singh conveyed his appreciation in a letter to Akbar Khan and his team for their brilliant effort in portraying one of the salient periods of India’s history through the medium of cinema. Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story released worldwide on 18th November 2005.