Okay seriously, how does it feel to be a part of the biggest hit of the year?
Everything is the same. Except that a lot more people know who Asin is. And I’ve just won my first Best Actress nomination and a debutante’s award too. But in Mumbai, everything is pretty much the same. Maybe that’s because I don’t go out and interact much with the audience. But when I was shooting in Chandigarh for ‘London Dreams’, the response was quite new for me. To be recognised in Punjab where I had never been before and that too in the interiors…wow!

But you weren’t really a debutante in ‘Ghajini’…
Ha. But I’m new to Hindi cinema. It feels good to be known as a debutante. And though I’vedone many South films, I’m completely new to Bollywood. Mumbai is a completely different world in terms of the language and the media too. I feel really raw here.

How have you taken to this new world?
I’m learning something new every single day. Everyday, something that I don’t know about myself comes out in print. Everyday, I’m getting to know something new about myself. In the South, it wasn’t so bad but it’s okay. I’m learning to deal with it. I can’t get used to such vicious rumours like the one about my rivalry with Jiah Khan.

How do you look back upon ‘Ghajini’? You’ve managed to establish your presence with your first film itself. Now, they’re calling you the next-big-thing…
It sure was a dream debut. Heroines, especially debutantes, don’t get a character like ‘Ghajini’. I’m keeping my fingers crossed hoping that Bollywood provides me with a variety of characters. I wouldn’t want to do another role like ‘Ghajini’ again. I do enjoy the conventional song-and-dance routine but I want to balance out the glamour roles with something more substantial. I don’t want to get carried away by the moment.

We hear that Akshay Kumar is recommending you now. Have you signed a film with him already?
I was very surprised to read that. I know I should sign more films. But just because my first Hindi film is a hit, I don’t want to rush and sign everything that comes my way. I wouldn’t do something that I’d regret later. That isn’t me. Before and after ‘Ghajini’, life remains the same.

You recently said the only man in your life is your father. Really?
It’s true. That’s the way it has been all my life. Beyond him, I haven’t found anyone. Not that I’m looking hard. Right now, I think I should focus on my career.

Are you happy with the kind of roles you’re being offered?
Nothing really exciting has come so far. I’m looking for that elusive plum project. I have to decide what films to take’ it’s not my father’s decision. So the responsibility is completely mine.

There’s panic within the Tamil film industry because they feel you’ve left the South for good.
Not true. But the fact is that for now, I need to focus on my career in Hindi cinema. If I get something that takes me beyond the 17 films that I’ve done in the South, I’ll certainly do it. I’ve worked with all the top stars in Tamil except Rajnikanth.