The model, VJ and former beauty queen turned actress, talks about her first Bollywood outing, the much awaited film Game and shares notes on her first date with the film industry.

Incidentally, wasn’t Aishwarya Rai the first choice for the role that Sarah eventually gets to play in Game? “I was not told about that so I don’t think that was the case. One fine day, I just got a call, went for the audition and got the role. Beyond that, I don’t know anything about what happened before.”

She did many television commercials with Bollywood stars like Saif, Kareena, John and even interviewed many stars through her stint as a VJ. On quizzing her about her experience of having worked with the stars, she says, “It was great! Recently I also did a commercial with Ranbir Kapoor for Pepsi. Also, because I was a VJ I had the chance to interview Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai and various other established stars of the industry. It was a tremendous learning experience.”

So how was it romancing Abhishek on-screen she begins with a smile, “I pretended not to be star-struck by him, but I was really star-struck. Abhishek is so good, he treated everyone the same way, acting like an actor and not a star. It was easy being with him on the sets. There were times when we laughed and joked. I never felt like keeping a distance because he was a star. Having someone like Abhishek was so much fun. He was always pulling my leg. We’d shoot for around 12 hours every day. You need someone to pep you up and Abhishek did just that.”

Would she consider doing intimate scenes if a film demands? She explains, “It depends on the script and how a film is being treated. Like in Game, Abhishek and I do have intimate scenes, but they are shot beautifully. But then many times certain scenes are shot in a way to look vulgar I will not be comfortable to do such scenes at such an early phase in my career. I will do only relatively intimate scenes that go with the sensibilities of the times.”

Newcomers entering the film industry often come in with many preconceived notions, did she have any? “I don’t have any preconceived notions. Since I don’t have a filmy background, it didn’t make sense for me to have preconceived notions from what I’ve read or heard. It is difficult to believe everything that’s written and also many people talk just for the sake of talking as it’s an attractive place to be. I did not have any preconceived notions; I was just nervous and anxious. Also I am very blessed that my first film was with Excel entertainment because they treated me like an equal even though I was a first-timer.”

She doesn’t dismiss the struggle she underwent to make it on her own in the big, bad world of films “Often I was down and out. There were times when I was so miserable I stayed at home for weeks. The industry is such that if you’re not careful, people can chew you up and spit you out. There were times when I picked up the phone not knowing whom to talk to or confide in. Fortunately, I now have friends to lean on. They’re not from the industry and so have a different persepctive. What keeps me going is my faith in God, belief in myself and the fact that I don’t take no for an answer.”

As regards, her personal life, she comments, “I am not seeing anyone and I am definitely not interested in anybody from the industry either.” So what’s next after Game? “I am a little superstitious, I don’t like to talk about a film before it is signed, sealed and delivered. I am speaking to few directors. Some very exciting projects are in the pipeline, including a rom-com. But now I am just keeping my fingers crossed for Game.”

Any last words? She volunteers, “I want to act but I also want to sing. At some point in life, even at 45, I want to give expression to that. I have a list of aspirations and there is no pressure to achieve all before I die. But I’d like to tick off as many as possible. I’m proud to say I have managed quite a few.”