Pooja Batra REVEALS she was undergoing therapy when she got the role of a psychologist!

Pooja Batra, best remembered for her roles in Virasat and Haseena Maan Jayegi, took a break from Bollywood when she got married and settled in the USA. After eight years of marriage and divorce, she made a comeback to Bollywood with a small, but pivotal role in ABCD 2. Now, the actress is gearing up for her next release. Mirror Game — Ab Khel Shuru. Here, the actress talks about reconnecting with Bollywood, her company Glow Bell Inc, which helps cast Hollywood actors in Indian films and more...

Have you moved back to Mumbai?

No, I am shuttling between Los Angeles and Mumbai. I have just done a documentary back there about sex slaves. It is  based on a true story of how a girl in India was sold and how she managed to leave the profession. I also did a Hollywood film One Under the Sun, which premiered at Cannes last year. I came to India to do ABCD 2. Last year, I also acted in a Punjabi film. As far as Mirror Game is concerned, it was shot completely in the US.

Tell us about your role in the film?

I play Dr Roy, a police psychologist in the film, which is a thriller.  When I read the script, I found it very savvy and intelligent. It keeps you guessing throughout.

Did you have to do any prep for the role?

Life in LA is such that they joke that you can’t be a true Los Angelite if you haven’t undergone therapy!

Everybody living in LA, at some point in life undergoes therapy, and so have I. In fact, when I was offered  the role I was going through a phase in my life when I had to undergo therapy. When this role came to me, I wanted to be on the opposite chair and see how therapists behave.

Did you miss acting while you were away?

Yes. I missed the acting, the money and my friends.

Why aren’t you working with your co-stars from the ’90s like Akshay Kumar and Anil Kapoor?

I would love to do a project with them. I have been in touch with Akshay and Twinkle. I keep coming so often and it’s nice to meet your peers, especially the once you have worked with.  

In LA, you were socialising with the who’s who of Hollywood. In fact, you got Sylvester  Stallone and Denise Richards to act in a Bollywod film. Comment.

I have this company Glow Bell Inc, one of the aspects of which is to cast Hollywood actors in Indian films. It depends on the budgets, the location, the number of days and a lot of other variables. There is a language barrier when it comes to films, but if they have to be brand ambassadors for any product, they want to know the kind of company it is, publicity strategy, etc. Having said that, they all are interested in being seen and popular in India with its 1.3 billion population.

You are in a new relationship. Tell us about it.

It’s not a new relationship. I have been with my boyfriend Christian for five years now. More than that, I wouldn’t like to talk about my personal life.

Are you friends with your ex-husband?

Yes.