I would love to work with Aamir Khan, says Ashwini Bhave

Ashwini Bhave was last seen in a Hindi movie in the 1998 Jackie Shroff-Salman Khan starrer Bandhan. But the actress, who moved to the US post-marriage, has kept herself busy with Marathi films, making a comeback with the 2007 Marathi film Kadachit, which she produced as well.

Ashwini candidly admits that she was more than happy playing mommy to her kids Sameer and Sachi, when a phone call from director Chandrakant Kulkarni, made her change her mind.

In recent years, the actress has flown down to Mumbai every couple of months, either for the shoot of a movie or the release of one. Now, that her kids have grown up, Ashwini says she is open to doing Hindi films, and television as well, provided they are content-driven. In the city for the release of her Marathi film Dhyanimani, the actress opens up about the directors on her wishlist, catching up on Hindi films and why she would not consider moving bag and baggage to Mumbai. Excerpts:

You were away from films for so long and then returned in 2007...

I kept myself away. After Bandhan, I moved to US post-marriage and settled there. I didn’t intend to come back. But then, I got a call from director Chandrakant Kulkarni who called me for Kadachit. I was reluctant but he insisted that I come and meet him. Not only did I act in the movie, but I ended up producing the film and bagging all the awards as well! Since then, whenever the Marathi film industry has a role for me, they call me. I feel comfortable when I’m acting. It’s my comfort zone. I’m happy that for Dhyanimani, Mahesh Manjarekar thought I’m capable of handling this character and I hope for the best.

Hindi cinema has changed a lot over the years. Are you open to doing Hindi films?

I limited myself to Marathi films as my kids were small. Now that my kids are becoming independent and I have full support from my family, I keep coming here. If I get a good role in a Hindi film, I would love to do it. The reason I have been avoiding doing a Hindi film is because I have heard horror stories of schedules going for a toss and films getting cancelled. If I’ve committed to a film, then I want to film to start and finish in the required time. I’m willing to come for even six months if that predictability is there. Bandhan, the last Hindi film I did, was made over five years! It kept getting delayed for some reason or the other. It was during the film’s shoot that I met my husband, we had our courtship period, we got married, I moved to the US and then came back to shoot some remaining portions, then the film released!

Are there any directors on your wishlist?

I have a long list! I want to work with Raju Hirani, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Karan Johar. I’m a director’s actress. I enjoy working with good directors because they give me scope to grow. There are directors who get good work out of their actors and make films passionately. Recently, I saw Dangal, what a brilliant film! I have worked with Aamir and it’s amazing how these actors have turned themselves into responsible filmmakers. I would love to work with him.

What about television?

I keep getting TV offers whenever I’m here. I talk to people, but I hesitate to accept because it is too time consuming. I definitely don’t want to do a daily soap. I had auditioned for 24, for the part of Anil Kapoor’s wife (eventually played by Tisca Chopra), but I didn’t get the part. I would like to be a part of such well-made serials, which have definite characters. It is content that draws me. Even in movies, I want a character that can leave an impact.

Your colleague Madhuri Dixit-Nene too, shifted out of India post-marriage but then moved back. Would you consider doing the same?

Madhuri has done phenomenal work. I’m a huge fan and I adore her, but this is not for me. I feel I’m a global citizen. Why should I limit myself? If I move here, I would have to make appearances, tweet about my movies, do Facebook Live and all that stuff. I want to enjoy myself. If I like going back home, cooking and serving hot food on the table, then I will do that. Yes, I would love to come back more often. US is a little far. If I was living in London, I could take an overnight flight, but I’m getting there. I want to work more. I have realised that my comfort zone is in front of the cameras, and I want to do more work.

You seem quite excited about your latest release. Tell us a bit about your role in Dhyanimani.

After so many years, a role came my way where I could challenge myself as an actor. My character, Shalu Pathak seems like a sweet housewife, but has many shades. Log chakkar kha jayenge. I have butterflies in my stomach thinking about it. I hope people forget that it’s Ashwini and come out of the theatre thinking of Shalu. It is a very unusual script and a very unusual role.