Excerpts from her interview.

What are you doing on your birthday?

Last year, on my birthday I was shooting for Saawariya. And this time I’m shooting for Dilli 6.

• Since you seem to be doing some of the most prestigious projects, do you have any regrets about missing out on Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi?

When was it ever mine for me to miss out on it? Adi wanted to meet, so we met. He never mentioned Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. He was very clear that he wanted a new face for it. I’ve already played the simple Indian girl (in Saawariya and Dilli 6) and besides that even my dates for Dilli 6 clashed with Adi’s project. Since I wasn’t denying or accepting that I have been offered that role, everyone jumped to their own conclusions. I even got congratulatory messages when I was holidaying in New York.

• So what kind of roles are you looking for?

I’m being extremely picky because I can afford to be so. I won’t play secondary roles for sure. I would like to take up something that I can relate to. Both my roles in Saawariya and Dilli 6 are different from each another. The only similarity is that both the directors Sanjay Bhansali and Rakeysh Mehra pampered me silly.

• But there’re stories of how Rakeysh bullied you.

What nonsense! Rakeysh is a lamb. He is incapable of screaming at anyone. We get along like house on fire. I instinctively understand how he wants me to do a shot. We don’t even have to say anything to each other. Abhishek, Rakeysh and I had so much fun while shooting for Dilli 6.

• How was your bonding with Abhishek?

He’s tall enough to suit me on screen (laughs). It was different during Saawariya as my relationship with Ranbir was casual as we are childhood friends. However, with Abhishek, I was a thorough professional. He made suggestions gently and if he wanted to make a point, he said it as a joke to avoid any offence. We are on the same wave length and we both love junk food. He would keep digging into my cookies and then blame me for his weight gain.


• You seem really impressed.

Yes. I was bowled over by both Abhishek and Aishwarya. Aishwarya is so beautiful, it’s scary. No one has the right to be so lovely. And the other beauty who leaves me open-mouthed is Waheedaji. I’m so privileged to work with her in Dilli 6. In fact working with the likes of Waheedaji, Om Puriji, Pavan Malhotraji, Rishi Kapoor uncle and Atul Kulkarniji is like going back to acting school all over again.