Actress Shilpa Shukla on why she took up B.A. Pass and never felt squeamish about playing the seductress

Earning rave reviews, the new release B.A. Pass is a bold, dark film based on a short story, The Railway Aunty, by Mohan Sikka. Chak De India actress Shilpa Shukla plays a seductress, Sarika, who manipulates a young man (Shadab Kamal) into becoming a gigolo, and continues to have intimate encounters with him despite being married. Her character has shades of grey and a slice of realistic eroticism. Here, Shilpa tells us what motivated her to take up this project. Excerpts:Shilpa Shukla, B.A. Pass

We have had several films dealing with a woman’s sexual exploitation. But in your film, B.A. Pass, a man is the victim. Do you feel for him?
I understand what the film’s male character Mukesh is going through. The story is true of many young Indians who want to make money and are going through some tragedy. Their sense of right and wrong diminishes. They get caught in a web. They suffer from loss of relationships, loss of values and loss of mission.

Your husband Mohit is the associate director of B.A. Pass. How did you manage to do the bold scenes in front of him?

Mohit and I are best friends too and have known each other since a decade. We have worked on many projects together, both on stage and in movies. We are artistes and individuals first, any other tags come in thereafter. So for Mohit and me, these things don’t really matter.

Did you consult anyone before taking up this project where you play an older woman who seduces a younger man and then shares him with her friends?

I only spoke to my parents because I wanted them to know about my role and also seek their permission. Unfortunately, I lost my father before the film could be completed and was unable to show the movie to him.

What was your mother’s reaction when she saw the film?

She quite liked it. She saw the film at the Osian-Cinefan Film Festival along with an 1,800 audience. We won the award for the Best Film. But she did caution me that I would have to deal with the reactions. She just advised me to be very strong and wise and not to be impulsive or get angry when people question me (about the role). My dad encouraged me to be bold when it came to work. By bold, he meant that one should excel in one’s chosen field. And for that you have to take risks.

Did you have some reservations about the role?

Yes, initially I did, like any other actress would. But since I had watched a lot of world cinema where actors approach a character with body, mind and soul, I decided to delve into this project with an open mind. When I read the script the first time, I read it very objectively. I realised that debutante director Ajay Bahl was aiming for something special; something that had never been done before in the film industry.

Did you hesitate before the lovemaking scenes?

No yaar, I didn’t hesitate. We played music during the intimate scenes. We were comfortable with our bodies. It is projected as it is meant to be but if you ask me, we could be playing Uno (a card game) in our heads. The scenes look visually dramatic, but from within, I felt it was like dance. Also, by the time we got to the shooting of the lovemaking scenes, we had reached the end of the script. Ajay, Shadab and I were very comfortable by then.

Who was more intimidated in the passionate scenes?

I think Shadab was more intimidated. And that’s how it was supposed to be because the woman enjoyed a better monetary status vis-a-vis the boy. My character wasn’t supposed to get intimidated and I didn’t.

Have you ever been exploited?

I am glad it never happened to me. I wouldn’t like to elaborate, but I did say ‘no’ to one filmmaker.