Not all trophy wives are unhappy: Tisca Chopra

Actress Tisca Chopra justifies an on-screen extra-marital relationship in her latest film.

Was it difficult playing a 35-plus woman who is unhappy in her married life and is looking for company in your last release?
The director, Madhur (Bhandarkar) pushed me to dress much more boldly than I would ever do in real life. For most of the film I had to keep my eating totally in control, as some of the clothes were quite figure hugging. That was the hardest part. But without Madhur and his very capable team, I would have fallen flat on my face. It’s fun to play different characters, otherwise it gets boring.
And I’m easily bored! I normally get so much fun out of the acting that the end result is a huge bonus.

Do you think that most marriages (especially in case of a trophy wife) are unhappy?
Not all trophy wives are unhappy — each person has a unique story. I’m not trying to justify my character but she did try and get her husband’s attention first. Only when he ignores her does she look outside the marriage.

Did you do any research before portraying the role of an out-of-spotlight beauty queen?
Not really, I looked at event pictures as reference points for clothes. Women looking for love are all around us — I mean extra-marital relationships are a norm rather than the exception, these days. So, I didn’t have to do too much research.

How was working with Emraan Hashmi?
Emraan is totally professional and a very sweet guy — not at all like his bad boy on-screen avatar.

You have come a long way since TZP, but you still credit it as the film that bought you to the fore...
I believe that we are the writers, directors and producers of our own lives. Life gives you what you deserve, not what you desire. So, I work hard at acting and let the universe give me what it will. Actually, it’s not even that much hard work because acting makes my spirit sing — I am happiest when I am acting. 

Taare Zameen Par put me on the map for sure. But the image of ‘maa’ was so strong that it took a gutsy director like Madhur to break the image that Aamir Khan created. I had turned down a dozen movies with some known film-makers because they were offering me stereotypical roles. I will always take the road less travelled. I’m neither scared nor image conscious. When a director is up against a wall with a difficult tight-rope walk character, I will always accept the challenge!