Zareen Khan talks about her next project, an Indie film, where she plays a lesbian; adds she hopes to get roles where she is not “just glamorous”
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 22, 2019)

“I wanted to do a film where I was not a mere pretty face. I didn’t want to be just glamorous and make no impact in the film,” says Zareen Khan, who is excited about her next project, Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele, where she plays a lesbian.

She had a mega launch opposite superstar Salman Khan in Veer (2010), and then, she appeared in the track Character Dheela from Ready (2011) before being cast in Housefull 2 (2012). But it was with Hate Story 3 (2015), that she received appreciation for her bold role.

“There is a perception regarding me and that’s why I have only been getting certain kind of roles. I did them for a while expecting better roles to come along, but that didn’t happen. I wasn’t feeling too satisfied.” Zareen then decided to take a break and wait for a role that excited her. She is thrilled to be a part of an Indie film, which will premier at the South Asian International Film Festival, New York, USA.

“I just needed the opportunity to show people that I can act. This film was one of them. Shooting for an Indie film was fun and challenging. The budget was limited so the shooting experiences were different from the commercial setup I have been part of before. I understood that the way of working would be different and I was ready for it. I was only looking at the role and the story than anything else,” she says, adding working on the film has given her a lot of satisfaction.

Playing the role of a lesbian is considered bold enough but Zareen shares that she didn’t have any intimate scenes in the film. “It is a story about friendship between a gay boy and a lesbian girl. It also focuses on the emotions and turmoil that the LGBTQ community goes through, even today in society, among their peers and their family. They don’t have the freedom that heterosexuals do. This is a story that needs to be told. As for intimate scenes, had there been scenes with another girl, I will kiss a girl if the role demands. But there is nothing of that sort in this film. Going to New York for the festival is going to be exciting and I am looking forward to experiencing my first film festival,” she concludes.