Bollywood looks chaotic: Sendhil Ramamurthy

He is India’s newest sensation abroad. She is one of the biggest names in Indian television. And when they get together for a project, it is sure to generate a lot of curiosity.

Sendhil Ramamurthy (of American TV series Heroes fame) has just signed television czarina Ekta Kapoor’s movie Shor. In a chat with DNA, they exchanged views about their respective industries and even asked each other some very candid questions.

Ekta:

What made you choose Sendhil for a Bollywood movie?
Ekta: Shor is about an NRI coming to India and falling in love with the country. I’m an American TV addict and I have seen Heroes. He certainly stands out with his acting ability and features. He is one of the very few Indian men who have made it big on TV there and taking him definitely is the biggest USP of our movie. He had the right personality for the role.

You seem to be doing a lot of experimental movies these days. What’s the reason?
Ekta: The idea for me is not to follow similar formats. I’m picking up scripts that bring value on the table. You can say Ekta is going new age.

Sendhil:

Why made you sign a Bollywood movie?
Sendhil: I said yes to the movie even before reading the script. The directors — Raj Nidimoru and DK Krishna — had earlier made a short film and I was blown away when I watched that. I thought it was brilliant. So I just went ahead and signed Shor.

How has the experience of shooting in Bollywood been?
Sendhil: Bollywood has charmed me. From outside it looks very chaotic, which makes you wonder how work happens here. In Hollywood, everything is systematic and methodic. But then there seems to be a beautiful order in the chaos in Bollywood and everything falls in place automatically.

What turns you on in a woman?
Sendhil: A sense of humour and loyalty! Common interests turn me on. I like athletic women and they should also be very ambitious. Physically, I like tall women too.

What are you taking back to America post shooting?
Sendhil: My parents come here frequently. So there’s nothing to pick up in terms of material things. But on a deeper level, every time I visit India, I take back values and tradition. When we were kids we thought we are Americans, but when you grow older the call of your roots just grows. I will definitely be coming back to Mumbai often as I’m looking to do more work here.

Ekta and Sendhil quiz each other

Ekta: While living abroad, what kind of women have you dated — Indian or Western?

Sendhil: I’m an equal opportunist and I think women are the most beautiful creatures made by God. So, I would say I have dated both kinds. (laughs)

Sendhil: Ekta, your family dramas on TV have been so successful. Then how come you decided to make films on bold subjects?

Ekta: India is a growing market and we are a young country. I can’t leave anyone out, especially not the youth. So today if we give them what they want, tomorrow they will be loyal to us.