Sunday, November 26, 2006

Sushma: 'Stars in Bangalore can't think beyond themselves'

Madhu Daithota
21 Nov, 2006 Times News Network
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B Sushma is unapologetic because she believes her heart is in the right place.

Every other word she utters may be an expletive. But B Sushma is unapologetic because she believes her heart is in the right place. The singer and actress won't say that about some of our local celebrities though. She says they showed little concern when she approached them to be part of her latest album Kash, which has been made to support an orphanage. It's another story that she roped in 18 Bollywood names for the project.

"Our local stars really don't connect to a genuine cause. All they're bothered about is publicity and how much leverage they get out of it. I find them so fake," says Sushma. "None of them was ready to spare half a day because there's no commercial element in my cause! They lack commonsense and concern," she adds.

Sushma says, "Name one person whom I didn't approach. All it required was time and talent, and they kept saying 'next time'. But if it's a filmstar's birthday, they'll go to an orphanage, cut a cake and make sure the press covers it. But what after that? It's all fake and pseudo concern."

She's grateful to Syed Kirmani, Priya Sudeep, Arunachalam, Rockline Venkatesh, Madhu Bangarappa and Pankaj Advani because they were the only people who stood by her. "Kirmani postponed his engagement with a TV channel while Pankaj skipped his practice sessions. It showed they really cared," she says.

Sushma wanted to make the album in Kannada but changed plans after the lukewarm response she received back home. "It has now been made into a Hindi album and it's come out really well," she says. The album stars Sachin Tendulkar, Mandira Bedi, Sharad Kapoor, Manoj Bajpai, Tom Alter and Dolly Thakore, among others.

"Manoj Bajpai was so helpful and all he said was, 'Mention your date and time.' Raveena came down all the way in spite of being a busy mum. Even though they're stars, they behave like humans. Their intentions were true and totally unlike our local celebs who can't think beyond themselves," says Sushma.

It was for similar reasons that Sushma quit the film industry some time ago. "People here lack manners and decency. The industry doesn't know how to treat artistes. They insult you and use such foul language — there's too much filth in here. Each one manipulates you to suit his needs. In the end I had to become like them and then they couldn't tolerate me! Today I'm a very controversial person and I have no regrets," she says. And you can tell she really means that.

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