Mumbai is safe: Lubna Salim

Lubna Salim in a candid chat with TOI
Darul Uloom, the Deoband-based Islamic seminary had recently issued a fatwa prohibiting Muslim girls above 13 years from cycling. Was the news disturbing?
It was ridiculous. I think in every religion we have come across people who have issued such bans.
Inhein extreme fundamentalist kehte hain aur inhein aage badhte hue log kabhi dikhaai nahin dete.Aur yeh fatwas jaari karte rehte hain. Frankly, there are many people in the Muslim community, who can’t understand the necessity for such fatwas. But I believe, we should not be bothered. For, they are all attention seekers. They are all self-imposed religious leaders. Have we chosen them? Are they our mouthpiece? No. I as an individual would want to follow my religion the way I want to and not how other people wish. So I would not like to pay any attention to them. Agar in baton main dum hota, toh kya ab tak ho nahin jaati?
Do you think Muslim women in India are somewhat in a better situation?
I’m very proud to be an Indian and consider myself lucky to have been born here. At least, I have the freedom of thought and expression, which not everybody gets to enjoy. I’m not answerable for my actions to anybody, except my family. So yes, when I compare myself to others, I do get a sense of satisfaction because I’m in a much better situation. When my cousins settled abroad, come down to India, they can’t believe that not every Muslim woman wears a veil. But it is a way for life for them in their country. And they are not doing anything they are not expected to and are happy living that life. Just as I wouldn’t be comfortable doing what they do there, they will face difficulties in adapting to the life we live here. It is because we are conditioned to think differently.
Your father Javed Siddiqui (screenwriter, dialogue writer and playwright) has made an enormous contribution to the Indian film industry. How come you didn’t stay for long in Bollywood?
I was just 16 when I got my first Bollywood flick. It is quite interesting to know how the offer came my way. Believe me, I was literally pushed into Bollywood. My father’s friends from the industry approached him and told him that they were looking for an actress for their movie. kyunki unki actress chali gayi thi. And my father instantly asked them to rope me in for the project. Frankly, I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. Had things not been rushed, it could have been different. Just that I wasn’t mature enough to understand all that happened. I entered Bollywood, when Kimi Katkar and Sonam were ruling the industry. And I wasn’t too keen on taking up the kind of roles they were essaying. I couldn’t have done kissing scenes. I think, if one is ambitious, no matter what family he or she belongs to, it is easy to do just anything. The only pressure on me was to keep the family’s respect intact. My father’s popularity saved me from the silly things that newcomers have to face in the industry. I could have also re-launched myself and done a thousand things for a great career but it just didn’t strike me
.
What if you get a chance to do interesting Bollywood projects now? Would you accept them since you have a better understanding of the industry?
I have never had a rigid approach towards work. So I never thought that only a particular kind of roles would suit me and prove valuable for my career. I need to love what I do. And that’s why I have done everything from modelling, theatre to TV shows and movies. Now, when the industry is experimenting with concepts, themes and casts, I’m willing to do movies. This is indeed the right time when I can do my kind of work, which is not about earning money. I would be more than happy if people approach me for out of the ordinary roles. I wouldn’t want people to come to me saying ‘Ma’am, aap kisi ki sister ka role kar lijiye.’ I don’t mind doing such roles as long as there is scope for growth. Otherwise, I’m happy doing my aada-tedha kaam.
Why do you call it aada-tedha kaam?
That’s because I have essayed a lot of simple roles. I’m tired of repeating myself. If I don’t have challenging roles, I’m not interested. I took up the role in “Mera Naam Karegi Roshan” because it’s different.
Do you regret the fact that your launch didn’t happen in the present times?
I don’t regret anything. Things would have been different, there is no doubt about that. But I can learn now and get things done. Interestingly, actresses of that time, who are still my buddies, envy me for the fact that I have a family, kids and an interesting career. At least, I’m not still looking for boys like them. It feels great to be living such a happy and satisfied life.
How come you never tried your hand at writing scripts like your father?
I’m not good at writing and fortunately, I have never faced any pressure. And as kids, we were never made to think like that. He is my father first and then a popular personality. I was always allowed to make my choices and taught to compete with myself. So there was never the burden to take my father’s legacy forward. Since, I had already proved myself as an actor, people never approached me suggesting me, ‘Aap apne papa ki legacy aagey badhaiye’. I’m happy I have got to follow my dream.
You have produced plays. Did the idea of getting into production ever seem scary to you?
Yes. I took up the decision at a very crucial point in my life. I wasn’t happy with all that I was doing. There was this urge to start a production house, which could have allowed me to do my kind of work. That’s when I along with Gulzar sahab, papa and Salim, formed our group. We had the freedom to raise our voices and put forth our opinions on all that happens. We are currently working on our eighth production. My very first production was based on communalism, we picked up stories written by Gulzar uncle, it’s called Kharashein — the scars of riots. Riots in Gujarat was a disturbing phase of my life. I wasn’t brought up to expect that people would be discriminated against on the basis of their names. For the first time, I felt how scary my name was. If such instances continue, I don’t know what future my children will have.
Is your life in Mumbai less scary?
Life in Mumbai is all about ‘live and let live’. People are less interfering. I respect the courage that people in Mumbai have. we have survived riots, natural calamities and attacks. Despite all this, I feel a sense of security there. I don’t have to feel scared if I’m stuck in a shoot till 3 or 4am. Delhi se mujhe bahut darr lagta hai. Bahut kahaniyan suni hain maine Dilli waalon ki. A visitor can easily be taken for a ride. Fake people crowd Delhi. They lack patience. I come here twice a year, but till date I have not been able to get familiar with the routes. Bas aap sirf gol gol ghoomte rehte ho yahan!
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