The actress is taking her glam avatar to sizzling heights this year as she puts her best bikini body forward in Anthony D’Souza’s Akshay Kumar-Sanjay Dutt and Zayed Khan starrer Blue. Produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd, the film that releases on October 16 required Lara at her sensuous best. Though she had no hang-ups about showing off her toned figure, she does admit that there’s a “lot of hard working out to get into a bikini on screen”.

“Having a good body gives you a lot of confidence to carry off any look. But the emphasis is always on being and feeling fit. That’s sexy and, yes, sexy is fun!” she says about her hot beach look in the film that promises to catapult her into the league of B-town’s sexy brigade of Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. The ‘water-babe’ also reveals that she’s as excited about this underwater action thriller as she’s about the other two comedies lined up soon after — Housefull and Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai.

Having performed some daredevil stunts for Blue, she’s gearing up for some more action-oriented films. “I am really dying to play a super hero,” she laughs. “I would love to at least have one super-power — either the flying bit or the invisibility one. That’s always been my childhood dream.” And if she could turn invisible for a day? “I would like to find out who’s behind spreading all the rumours,” she laughs referring to reports of her being upset about co-star Katrina Kaif’s role being increased and being overshadowed by international pop queen Kylie Minogue in Blue.

As for the question that’s high on almost everyone’s mind... is Bollytown’s sexy lady single? Lara says, “I hope to be in a steady relationship some day. But I am not going to shout from rooftops if I do find true love. My private life is not for public consumption.”

Not many are aware that Lara Dutta wasn't keen on acting in BLUE. "Akshay Kumar had recommended my name to the producers. The moment I got to know of it, I called Akshay and told him that I wouldn't be able to accept the assignment. He knew the reason behind my decision," Lara tells me.

The 'reason' is, Lara didn't know how to swim, while major portions of BLUE were to be filmed in the ocean and swimming, therefore, was mandatory. "Not many people are aware that I had almost drowned while shooting for ANDAAZ. Akshay had rescued me," Lara enlightens me, "When I reminded Akshay I couldn't swim, he told me to forget my phobias and learn swimming pronto. Today, I feel BLUE has not merely made me overcome my phobias, but has also taught me something that would stay with me for the rest of my life."

Lara has had an eventful 2009 so far. First, the deglam look in BILLU then, a hardcore comic fare in DO KNOT DISTURB now BLUE. "It's been an interesting year. I had fun on the sets of DO KNOT DISTURB watching Govinda and Ritesh in comic scenes is a treat indeed and if you've to share screen space with them, it's great. You couldn't have asked for more," Lara says. The praises have been flowing in and Lara, obviously, is feeling on top of the world.

But BLUE is one film that Lara looks forward to with bated breath. "BLUE is a first-of-its-kind film on Hindi screen. You haven't watched something like this before. You can only draw parallels with international films. I am sure, this film will make a huge impact not just in India, but also internationally," Lara feels strongly.