Asin Thottumkal was speaking in the Youth Forum of the India Today Conclave 2010 here today on the topic 'Change: Idealism vs Reality' was at her candid best and said that values and integrity are compromised on a daily basis in the film industry.
Asin who was already a superstar in South Indian cinema when she debuted in Bollywood opposite superstar Aamir Khan in the 2008 blockbuster 'Ghajini' said that the only way to put the "soul" back into the industry was to stand up and say no to sub-standard products and practices.
"There can be many repercussions if you say no. As an actor it cam mean less endorsements, less visibility and less industry friends. But saying no to mediocre products is the only way to put the soul back into the industry," said Asin.
The actress who has not signed on any new projects after her second film 'London Dreams' starring Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan flopped at the box office said that she has always been choosy about her projects.
"There is a lot of pressure on me to sign movies. But one should believe in what one wants to do and it works for me," said Asin who shared the dias with actor Ranbeer Kapoor at the event.
James Cameron, who was also present at the The India Today Conclave 2010 later met her over the dinner and discussed cinema with her. Cameron confirmed to Asin that he is ready to make a film with Indian actors and the two even discussed the possibilities of collaborating on his film.
Talking about her experience she told a leading daily, “It was an experience of a lifetime for me to meet ‘the’ James Cameron. We spoke about cinema, both Hollywood and Bollywood. I was really fascinated that he knew so much about our industry. Though he has delivered two of the greatest films in history, I was surprised to see how modest he was.”
When asked about James’ plan of collaborating with Indian stars, Asin added, “I asked him if he was ready to make an Indian film and he said ‘certainly’. He also revealed that he was looking to take Indian actors in the movies he makes in future. But it is too premature to talk about anything because nothing has been confirmed from his side.”
