After ‘Nishabd’, there were rumours that your mother wasn’t very happy with the kind of skin show that you did in the film. Where does that leave you?
Not at all. We are intelligent enough to understand that it was just a character. Even when I get an offer now, I consult my mom but I know that it is actually me who has to perform and if something goes wrong it’ll be my fault. Of course I take advice from my mom, sisters and step-dad. They come from a lot of experience and see things that I can’t see.

After your first film failed to create any wonders at the box-office, you retreated into a shell of your own. Some industry sources also say that you were almost on the brink of depression – because you had banked so heavily on the film. How did you cope with the failure?
When you are working in a film, which has a sensitive subject, there is a possibility that it is not going to be a huge hit. Not just here but even in the West – a film like ‘High School Musical’, which has a commercial appeal could not find mass audience. I even said in my old interviews that it’s a fantastic film. A lot of people who like intellectual cinema appreciated it.

Your second film, ‘Ghajini’, has been a success but you don’t seem to have benefited from it in any way. After Aamir Khan, it’s Asin who has received the maximum accolades. Don’t you feel doing the film was a mistake?
That’s a point of view. I know the reasons why I did the film. How many girls of my age get to do a film with Aamir? When I look at myself on screen, I look very young and I still have a long way to go. Whatever I should have got from the film, I have got. That’s the way the role was. Asin was very appropriate for the role she was essaying, age-wise and look-wise. I could never have done that but for my age, my role was perfect. I didn’t even think about it that way. It’s a huge film and a lot of people who didn’t see me initially have seen me now.

You were very upset because you were totally ignored during the promotion of the film. None of the TV promos even had you anywhere in them. Even post-release, you don’t figure in any of the new spots. Don’t you feel cheated?
I don’t know. I live for the moment. I got that film opposite Aamir and I said yes. It is my second film. It was not a mistake. I got to learn. I have acted with legends like Mr. Bachchan and Aamir. I knew what was going to happen in the promotion. The producer and I had a meeting and I was told about it. I was never shocked and I am fine with everything.

You had some major problems with Asin because you felt she hogged all the attention. Both of you aren’t even on talking terms. Why such hostilities?
This is so annoying. She is a nice girl and it’s wonderful to come across an actress like her. Especially when someone comes from the South, we have this perception that she is going to be like this and that but Asin is highly intelligent and she is really sweet. We never had any scenes together. We shot one scene in Panchgani. I spoke to her there. There were no cold vibes from my side and I am sure not from her side too.

Producers are wary of approaching you because you’re known to be temperamental. How far will this attitude take you?
I am not! I never lose my temper. Why would someone find me temperamental? Really? I have never demanded anything. Huge price? That’s extremely interesting. Please tell me more. This is what the industry thinks about me? I am the easiest person to work with. I am so punctual that I will be there even before my make-up man comes. One thing about me, which I think works against me is that I am too professional.

You’ve been linked with at least three men in the last six months but you’ve never come out in the open about any of them. Why are you so secretive about your love life?
Can you please tell me the names all of them because I don’t know any of them? I have never been open about my relationships because I have never had any relationship. I am from London and I am open. If I was with someone, people would know about it but I have never had a relationship. I had one in the past but not in India.