Veteran actor Farida Jalal recently opened up about her surprising role in Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming film O'Romeo. The teaser, which released recently, shows Jalal using strong language, creating quite a buzz among her fans. In a candid interview, she revealed the conversation that led to this unexpected performance.
The Unexpected Question from Vishal Bhardwaj
Farida Jalal shared that she had always wanted to work with Vishal Bhardwaj. After collaborating with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Heeramandi, her wish came true when Bhardwaj approached her for O'Romeo. During their first meeting at her home, Bhardwaj surprised her with a direct question.
"He asked me, 'Aap gaali dengi na?' (Will you cuss in the film?)," Jalal recalled. She admitted feeling overwhelmed at that moment. The thought of working with a director she admired so much left her speechless initially.
Setting Clear Boundaries
Despite her excitement, Farida Jalal didn't immediately agree to everything. She laid down specific conditions before accepting the role. "I told him clearly that I wouldn't use very filthy or nasty cuss words," she explained. "I said I might use milder ones if necessary, but absolutely no words involving mothers or sisters."
Bhardwaj apparently understood her perspective completely. According to Jalal, he started laughing and accepted her terms without any argument. This mutual understanding became the foundation for their collaboration on the project.
Why She Agreed Despite Reservations
Farida Jalal acknowledged that her fans might be shocked to hear her using such language. She has built a career playing mostly gentle, motherly characters that audiences have loved for decades. However, she emphasized that the character in O'Romeo demanded this kind of language.
"The character speaks in a certain way," Jalal explained. "She is always in a temper. When you say yes to a role, you have to commit to it completely." She mentioned that she only uses such language once in the entire film, but that single instance has created significant discussion online.
Fan Reactions and Personal Reflections
The veteran actor has been monitoring the reactions to the teaser. "People are saying things like 'Farida Jalal ne yeh bola' (Farida Jalal said this) or 'humara pyari Dadi/Maa ne yeh bola' (our dear grandmother/mother said this)," she shared. Many fans have grown up watching her on screen and associate her with more traditional roles.
Jalal admitted that she has generally stayed away from such dialogues throughout her career. However, she believes that as an actor, sometimes you need to step outside your comfort zone. The character's requirements justified this departure from her usual roles in her professional judgment.
About O'Romeo and Its Star Cast
O'Romeo features Shahid Kapoor in the lead role, with Triptii Dimri playing the female lead. The film boasts an impressive supporting cast including Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, Disha Patani, and Nana Patekar in pivotal roles. Vishal Bhardwaj's direction and the unique premise have generated considerable anticipation for the film's release.
Farida Jalal's revelation provides interesting insight into how actors negotiate their boundaries while taking on challenging roles. Her experience shows that even veteran performers sometimes face unexpected requests from directors, and how clear communication helps create successful collaborations in the film industry.
