The Ethereal Princess with the Eternal Smile

Interview By Fuad Omar.

"Osaka Muraiya!" explodes from the speakers from every second tape recorder and CD player.
The new Sharukh Khan - Juhi Chawla film One Two ka Four's hit song booms out of stalls and taxi stands everywhere, with a killer beat line being repeated on everyone's lips.  The sensuous voice sounds familiar and the lyrics of "Nasha hi nasha hai nazar mein aiyya," seem so fitting when you come to recognise who the magical voice belongs to. And with that very voice which is making so many of us groove and dance in the streets, I begin my journey.

The venue: Kamalistan Studios, Jogeshwari. The drive in is one which could last forever unless you know exactly where you're going and security at the gates are strict in who they allow to enter the fantasy dreamland which weaves webs laced with youthful fun and exuberance, be it for the big or small screen. The person: More an icon and symbol of today's youth, tingling with a zest for life, effervescing with warmth and cheer, and with a smile as infectious as positivity gets - Raageshwari.

I arrive earlier than scheduled and decide to look around the outskirts of the studios to ask some of the locals of the history associated with the site, I find it to be suitably situated out of reality's reach, just off a highway, adding to its charm of being a fantasy realm. As it draws closer to 1pm I head back towards the studios and stop for a moment in the blistering heat to check my rugged bag has everything needed for the interview. Many cars drive past, each requiring clearance before being allowed entry and a few people stare at me wondering if this suited-in-black entity is staggering out of a film set or trying to stifle his way in. Just as I am ready to head inside, (having secured entry with the guard on arrival), a car stops for a few seconds while the driver gets clearance and my eyes are drawn to the black tinted windows, locking on to a bewitching pair of eyes who look back at me for a second before the car drives in. I could not make out who was in the car, nor remember for that matter what car it was, but I knew after seeing that face turn towards me, that behind those dark glasses that gaze had acknowledged my presence and I was in the right place. There is a film made by Charlie Chaplin where he shows a star he has brought onto stage and at the end of her performance the auditorium is resonating with thunderous applause and the lights all illuminate the star for the audience to see. She complains to him later how she could hear the applause but she could not see anyone. He remarks, "That is where the sadness lies in that from now on everyone will be able to see you but you will never get to see anyone," indicating the trappings of stardom and how it is only in one's downfall that one begins to recognise those around them.

It was only later that I realised that those eyes behind the dark glasses belonged to the very person I had come to meet. I had just had my first encounter with today's pop sensation and superstar VJ Raageshwari. She sees everyone around her and has no starry airs surrounding her, having escaped stardom's trappings and dissociating herself from the word "inaccessible". Our interview takes place while she is being made up like an old granny for a sketch for MTV being shot here today. What startles me is even underneath the years of ageing her make up man is pouring on and those fake white lines and wrinkles, she still remains a picture of eternal beauty. Her tall frame and glowing skin radiate with warmth and if possible, it seemed as though every object in the room was smiling at me, reflecting the happiness she holds in her heart and wants to spread to others and the love she has for her fans. "I get a lot of fanmail, but the best is when I go abroad to my concerts and see those fans who write so regularly and they come and see you backstage and they are like 'You know who we are, we write to you all the time!' and they feel happy you know who they are. I'm also proud to say I'm not seen as a celebrity or just a popular face because I feel I'm a very accessible person. I want people to come up to me and say 'Hey Rags!'" she says when I ask about her reaction to fans and the whole star system which holds at bay some artistes from those who adulate them.

She answers all my questions while constantly being concerned if I am comfortable, if my trip was ok and at the same time preparing for the shot. We had spoken many times prior to the interview but today was not like a working day, it was like meeting an old friend after a long time. Today's shoot will require her to undergo many guises from an old lady to herself to other roles and she is enjoying getting into the character to the hilt, fondly reminding me that the actress in her is still very much alive. I marvel at her tenacity and how she can answer my questions, frown with ease like an old granny, have make up applied and smile for those coming to meet her all at once, all while being the perfect host to me and making sure I am comfortable in her presence. I start on the note of her music which has gained her international recognition. In the West with Y2K - Saal Do Hazaar, and earlier across Asia with Duniya and Pyar Ka Rang. "Pyar ka rang was more mature an album than Duniya because Duniya was very, very young, but the attitude was still the same. We still want to make music that reaches out to people in the right manner and has some meaning behind it and music you feel happy hearing and will probably make you smile." She then narrates to me the story of one of her videos off Pyar ka Rang called Mere Mehboob, which was shot in Australia. "The video shows how a country girl falls in love with an army guy who gets killed and the song signifies that life is too short - so consider yourself lucky if you fall in love, and if you find it don`t let it go."  She then goes on to say how after making this song with a simple meaning it had made an impact on a couple she met who had resolved their differences after a one and a half year break as a result of seeing the video and hearing the song. She pauses for a second then with a glow in her eyes turns to me and says: "That felt really great, if I can create that kind of magic for even one couple then mission accomplished because the value of your music is uplifted because it has served a purpose beyond entertainment."

She then turns back to the mirror noticing she is still looking too fair and suggests being made up darker. She then squints a little and wags her finger at the mirror as she spots a young girl sitting behind her watching the young princess transform into an OAP before her eyes, much to the child's delight. We move back further to the time when she embarked onto her foray into singing and her debut superhit album Duniya. "My father had composed the song Duniya and I loved it and really wanted to make it and he said, 'It's totally in your hands, if you want to put in your heart and soul and work really hard, we can make this album together'. What he said left such a deep impact on me and we cut together a demo tape which sounded okay. All the record companies we went to and producers said that Duniya would be a failure because they used to say 'look at you, you're really young and you're making this meaningful and heavy dose song' and I said no, what makes a song more powerful and gives it a stronger repeat value is its content as the melody can only carry it a certain distance," she analyses wisely. "Now what happened was that we sent Coca-Cola who were launching themselves in a big way then, a proposal about what Duniya and the album was all about. They were obviously a huge international brand, saw potential in it and they invested in it, we produced it ourselves and then BMG Crescendo marketed  it." She recalls the joy of hearing how well the album was doing and her face lights up, as if rejecting the efforts of the make-up man, and not allowing the ethereal princess to be disguised beyond her years. "It brought tears to our eyes because we were from a middle class family and had no means to getting to where we had, all we had were dreams. And that's why when I won the award for best newcomer I said that everybody has dreams and ambitions and we wait for those dreams to be fulfilled and all we need is an opportunity. I just thanked everyone there for giving me that opportunity and helping me achieve my dream."

One thing that comes across strongly during our conversation is that Raageshwari is very grateful for all she has, holds a great deal of love and respect for her father and takes nothing for granted. The theme of dreams and helping people is clearly evident as though she doesn't want her story or position to be something which only benefits her, but should be something which can be used to help others by example or through a helping hand. I ask why she left the film industry after having superhits such as Aankhen and Main Khiladi Tu Anari behind her, and she explains: "I did Aankhen and a few others but the roles and the kind of films were not the kind I wanted to do. While I had grown up watching films like Guide and Kramer Vs Kramer, I was being offered what seemed in comparison senseless movies, not that I have anything against that, but creatively it just wasn't satisfying. But I'm now going to be working with Pooja Bhatt for some of her telefilms, which I'm looking forward to as there are some really good stories which have been written especially for me and it's a medium with a message rather than just a commercial factor." As the shot is readied we go on to chat about everything from a forthcoming trip to the UK, the past year and life in general.

Having recently launched her own company Rags Arts and Music (RAM) she is all set to make her mark on an industry she is at home in, and aims to provide family entertainment shows for television and make telefilms with a message. The company aims to also do a lot of work for good causes such as to educate underprivileged young children and help them have a better quality of life, as well as promoting new artistes in the field of film, television, music, the arts and all fields of entertainment. She has taken her first step with MTV's number one show Baar Baar Dekho which is produced by her company and is winning hearts across India as we speak, and the new talent show she is hosting called Mini Superstars is fast becoming as much a success as everything else the Midas girl touches, causing it to turn to gold. I ask her to give a message for the many fans in the UK who are eagerly awaiting her arrival and she flashes a smile, takes a deep breath and says: "All my friends in the UK, thank you so much for your support, I love you all. Love like no one's hurt you before, work like you don't need the money and dance like no one's watching you!"

As we say our goodbyes and I leave Kamalistan studios I am again reminded of how our eyes locked in a moment's gaze as we both entered an hour and a half ago. She is not someone who has been seduced by stardom, but keeps her feet firmly rooted on the ground and can see the people who are calling her name or cheering her on when she is stage, and no light can blindfold her to those who lend their support. Raageshwari is someone who had a dream, chased it and made it come true. She fought against all odds and survived, created her own niche as a VJ, model and singer and is approaching full circle by returning to a few screen projects, except this time its on her terms and its all for a good cause. I leave having shared in the positivity that is Raageshwari and full of excerpts from meeting one of the most liveliest and happiest people I have ever met. With people like her on this Earth, it's no wonder the world is full of so many smiles.