Not many of Salman's ex-girlfriends have managed to rise out of his shadow. You are the only exception, no?
All I want to say to that is, write it on a postcard and send it to Salman. So he is aware.

How would you describe your chemistry with him?
(Pause) What do you mean?

I’m talking on screen, of course.
See, it’s being said that Yuvvraaj is the first film in which we’ve been teamed romantically. But I would like to point out that I’m in the film 100 per cent because of Subhash Ghai and not because of the pairing, which is secondary. And yeah, I think the chemistry between us is very spontaneous. It doesn’t look forced.

Has the off-screen chemistry helped in achieving that?
(Smiles) Since we’ve known each other for many years now, there’s an equation. He’s a very, very special person; you have to give him a lot of leeway, space and understanding. And that’s exactly what I do when we work together as well.

You must be the only non-Hindi speaking actress in film history who charges three crores a film. How does it feel?
I love it. I think it's great. (laughs) I think when the unexpected happens, that is the magic of life. English is my first language but I have to say I have worked very hard on my Hindi.

Your reaction to being called a glamour doll?
I've realized that there is need to go beyond the glamour doll roles. I'm still going to do them. I love them, I'm young and if I can't do them now, I definitely can't do them when I am 35. But there's also a desire within me as an actress to do different roles. In 2009, I am doing performance-oriented films. There is a Raj Kumar Santoshi film, a Yash Raj film and a Prakash Jha film; all of them are strong characters, which will get noticed. I will be very disappointed if I am not nominated for any role in 2009.

Salman has signed on Zarine Khan in Veer who looks like you. Comment !
(Laughs) Isn’t that flattering? I think that’s so sweet. I even helped her with her make-up during her screen test. She’s a lovely girl and I hope she does very well though I don’t think she looks like me. But if Salman misses me and wants to work with girls who look like me, that’s so sweet.

You’ve said he is very unromantic.
I was speaking as someone who knows him, and not in an intimate way.

You were supposed to do all your interviews together, but now you are...
That wasn’t the promotional strategy at all. I’ve always given interviews on my own. But yeah, we are doing a few interviews together for news channels in Delhi. Having said that, Salman’s too unpredictable. (Laughs) I’m afraid to do interviews with him you never know what he’ll end up saying.

Subhash Ghai has said that there’s not much of a role for the female lead in Yuvvraaj.
Now, where did you get that? He’s a legendary director and has a reputation for showcasing his heroines. I wanted that experience, even though I knew I wasn’t the central character. (Laughs) Salman has pointed out too that Yuvraaj can’t obviously be about me.

Have you come to terms with catfights?
The media eggs on most of these. I didn’t come in with a big launch film, which shot me to the top immediately. I had to take baby steps, and now I’m being offered good work. So I’m very happy.

You did the Temptations tour with Shah Rukh Khan. Did you discuss the Salman Khan fight with him?
No, of course not. He’s a thorough professional we did a great show together. In fact, it was the first time I went on stage without getting the jitters.

Have you tried to resolve the issue between them?
I don’t know, baba. This isn’t about me it’s about Salman and Shah Rukh. I know Salman for many years but I don’t control him. (Smiles) I don’t even have control over him. It’s a matter he has to sort out on his own.

Is it possible to sustain yourself in Bollywood with such an enclosed attitude?
Why not? I’m not Mother Teresa. I have my insecurities and problems like any normal person. I won’t sustain myself anywhere by pulling others down. I have six sisters and several responsibilities. I have to make decisions, which secure my future. I don’t care who is doing what.

Arbaaz Khan is producing a movie in which he wanted to cast you opposite Salman Khan. It’s rumoured that Malaika Arora-Khan wasn’t happy about this.
That’s probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I can’t think of one reason why she’d have a problem with me.