'I'm only getting trashy films'

Her deadline is December 2004. "I haveto sort my life out by the end of the year," Perizaad Zorabian sighsdramatically. "If I don''t get decent work, I might as well go back to working 9to 5."What about acting then? "I can''t give up acting for good. I love it toomuch. I''ve done English theatre, so I''ll try my hand at Hindi theatre. I''ll takeup acting as a hobby."Since Jogger''s Park, which released last year,Perizaad hasn''t signed a single film. And it''s not for lack of offers. "I amonly getting trashy art house films," she laments. "There are a lot of art housefilms being made. The problem is, everyone thinks that making a hatke Rs 2 crorefilm is the easiest thing in the world. But such films don''t have a decentscript." What about mainstream Hindi films? "It''s the samestory.Only the second rung of producers and directors seem to thinkof me. Now that I''m trying to make it in commercial films, I only want to workwith the best. Whatever I do has to be really good or it''s not worthit."Between the Subhash Ghai production and now, Perizaad haswrapped up two films — Morning Raga and Devaki. "The first one is a MaheshDattani film, which should release in a couple of months. Devaki''s still inpost-production."When she wasn''t shooting, Perizaad was on a highwith a couple of award nominations for her performance in Jogger''s Park. "Itfeels damn good, man. After you work so hard at making a movie, being nominatedwith Preity Zinta and Urmila Matondkar for your first Hindi film is a high," shesays.On a break "because a film didn''t take off," Perizaad''swondering what to do with her time. "I am a workaholic. I can''t handle loads offree time." After getting back from an award function in the US, she helped herfather start a cafe. For those who don''t know Perizaad''s family owns a poultrybusiness, where she worked before acting.Is this her first steptowards getting back to business? "Not really. I still have loads of time beforeI decide what I''m gonna do. Also, dad won''t want me to take the easy road. Thefilm industry is a much biggerchallenge."ahmedabadtimes@timesgroup.com