Bollywood actress Rimi Sen, who was a part of several hit films in the early 2000s like Dhoom, Phir Hera Pheri, Hungama, and Golmaal, opened up about why she chose to retire, and how she feels she didn’t struggle enough when she revisits her movies today.
As per a report in The Indian Express, she revealed what kept her away for over 10 years, “I never craved for attention or was fond of glamour. I’m a simple person and didn’t always want to be in front of camera. In school also, no one knew my name. I was like a backbencher. I just feel uncomfortable with the attention.”
She added, “That time I wasn’t mature. I was young, aggressive, I was getting a lot of work and I used to go with the flow. I was there only for money. It was a very mechanical thing for me. I wasn’t even a graduate so it was difficult for me to even get a job. All I knew was acting and this profession sort of chose me.”
On working with the biggest stars in hit films, she said, “I feel I wasn’t even deserving of what I got. I did a lot of music videos. I did a commercial with Aamir Khan. Then I signed Hungama. So it was all luck for me. But I was getting only comedy films. I did Dhoom, Phir Hera Pheri, Hungama, Golmaal, and I had the role of furniture in all of them. That time the film industry was male-dominated. Today content is the hero. Back then, hero was the only hero!”
She continued, “I did movies like Johnny Gaddaar and Shagird with some of them, but those kind of films didn’t work at the box office then. So that option eventually closed for me. I feel if I had fought for 3-4 more years, I might have succeeded. My only fault is I failed to wait and didn’t agree to struggle. If I had, I would’ve got to work with more directors and the scenario would’ve changed. Now when I watch my films after 10 years, I realize what have I achieved? Nothing.”
Looking back on how different the industry was back then, she explained, “In our times heroines used to work till 33 and then their career was finished. All they got after that were side roles. Even I believed that once I cross 30, I’ll be pushed to side characters. I never sensed that one day we’ll have a scenario where we’ll get performances like Shefali Shah in Delhi Crime or Vidya Balan in Kahaani. If I could foresee this, maybe I would’ve never quit. In our times, there was nothing called a script. Director said the script is in my mind.”
She also talked about her participation in the reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss’ and how it changed her, “When I signed that show, I thought it’s a useless show where all people do is shout and fight for coffee for three months. I was getting good money, so I agreed to do it. It was like a paid holiday. But when I entered that house, I realized the way they play with your psychology. That isn’t shown to anyone. All you see are tasks and people bad-mouthing each other. I don’t fight because that isn’t a solution for me. Also when they frustrate you with the tasks at 3 in the night, with food restrictions, the bad side of anyone will get unleashed. It was like a rehab for me, where all I had to do was meditate and wash utensils. That show really helps in discovering yourself. Bigg Boss gave me maturity.”
She concluded by stating what advice she would give to her younger self, “I’d tell her to fight back and sustain a little more. Also to handle people in a better way. Earlier, I was way too honest and on the face. Producers used to hesitate to call me for interviews as they feared what I’ll say. I’m still honest, but I am better today.”
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