Dabangg backfired

Unconventional actress Mahie Gill regrets being offered small roles after starring in the franchise

She made an impressive debut as an unconventional heroine in Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D but actor Mahie Gill believes her decision to do a supporting role in commercial potboiler Dabangg was a wrong move.

Post Dev D, Mahie featured in Gulaal and then came Dabangg, directed by Anurag’s brother Abhinav and starring Salman Khan.

“After Dev D, I had won a lot of appreciation and awards. People wanted to sign me for films. But I did Dabangg and it backfired big time. The producers started to offer me small roles. I felt very bad but I did not know what was happening. I believe in destiny a lot, I think this was meant to happen. I did regret doing the role but now I do not,” Mahie said.

The actor, who played Arbaaz Khan’s love interest in the film, says being a part of a commercial film did not work for her.

“In my case, it backfired. My career stopped at that very point. Thanks to Tigmanshu Dhulia for offering me Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster series.”

Mahie revealed that she was reluctant to star in the sequel but agreed after Arbaaz, who directed the second movie, said her character was needed in the story. In the Dabangg movies, the lead actress was Sonakshi Sinha. She will reprise her role in the third instalment of the film.

The actor said she has not been approached for the third installment in the franchise. She is currently awaiting the release of the third part of Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, that brought her in limelight again.

“I am proud of this series. When we started with the first part, we did not think it will become a hit. The best about this franchise is that it is growing, the characters are the same but the story is in continuity. That is the beauty of this franchise,” she said.

In the third part, Mahie’s character of Madhavi Devi has become “more powerful and wicked”.  “Now, she has learnt politics. Also, she has all powers as Saheb goes to jail and she has taken over the whole thing,” said the actress.

In Dev D, an adaptation of the classic Devdas by Sharadchandra Chattopadhyay, she had played the character of Paro. The movie was a black comedy with elements of drama and romance. The film was set in contemporary Delhi and Punjab.

Sanjay Dutt is the new addition to the hit franchise. He was last seen in Bhoomi.

Produced by Rahul Mittra, the film also starring Jimmy Shergill, is slated to release on July 27.