Why do you get worked up on being questioned about your personal life?
Because clarifying the so-called news reports would mean giving undue importance to them. The best way to deal with controversy is to keep quiet. After a while, controversies subside because someone else will be making them.

Your item song in No Smoking was barely noticed since it came literally at the fag end of the movie.
When I heard Phoonk de, I liked it tremendously. The sensuous number goes with my personality. Vishal Bharadwaj, who gave me Bidi jalaiyle le, composes it. That's why I did it and also because of Anurag Kashyap, who had offered me the film and because of John (Abraham). I like the song so much that I'm going to perform it at many shows in the future. As for the end credits placement, I got many calls and SMSes that the audience stopped and walked back to see the song. (Laughs) it's another story that very few people actually went to see No Smoking. 

Since Goal is a football, male-centric movie, what are you doing in it?
I was happy with what I saw in the rough cut. Besides, I wanted to be a part of a sports film. Plus the role of a Pakistani girl, Rumana, a medical professional, interested me.

Didn't the shoot of Goal in London begin on a lousy note for you with differences with Arshad Warsi?
See, after landing in London, I went straight to the sets. There was some miscommunication the driver didn't go to pick up Arshad. So he was late by a few hours. Later on, I just joked with him that if he was planning to report late the next day, he could inform me earlier. That's it. But it was reported that Arshad and I had major hassles. I apologized to him about the reports. Someone in the unit was obviously passing on mischievous information.

What about John Abraham's problems with Arshad Warsi?
They had creative differences, which has helped the final product.

Could you come clean about your relationship with Saif Ali Khan during the shoot of Race in South Africa? 
We got along well and became friends during the film's second schedule. I won't deny the fact that we went out for dinners, but we were always in a group that included Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Katrina Kaif and Sameera Reddy. When two heroines are friends, it's boring. But when a heroine has dinner with a hero, then it's scandal!

But you had broken up with John when you were going out for these dinners with Saif.
John and I never went through a break-up. The stories about our split were ridiculous and amusing.

How did John react to the Saif Ali Khan reports?
Ask John.

Now that Saif is dating Kareena Kapoor, do you think they make a cool couple?
I'm happy for Saif, he's a very good friend. I regard men and women, who come out in the open about their relationship, in high esteem... because they are dignifying their relationship. I respect Saif and Kareena, I'm happy for them.

Okay, tell me all about that ‘liplock' with Christiano Ronaldo.
I couldn't stop laughing watching the visuals on TV of John and I breaking up because of Christiano. After that, I was like ‘no more pecking now'. I've been greeting men only with a namaste and that too from far.

It's believed that John and you were engaged recently. Where's the ring? 
These rings (showing her bare fingers) I've been wearing for a long time.

You haven't considered marriage with John?
I'll marry when I'm 32, so that gives me another four years to be single. The kind of family background I come from, we don't have to marry early. We can pursue a career and then think about marriage.

I've heard that you didn't get along with either Katrina Kaif or Sameera Reddy during the shooting of Race.
Well, I didn't really speak to Katrina much we're both cordial and professional. The rumor about not getting along with Sameera Reddy is false because we've been chatting away on the phone a lot.

Despite Dhoom 2, you don't figure in Yash Raj's biggie Tashan.
Only the film's director can answer that. But I'm doing another movie with Yash Raj.

What's next on the movie front?
After Goal and Race, there's White Feather Films' Pankh and Rituparno Ghosh's next in Bengali. My parents have always wanted me to do a Bong film this one is for them.

Finally, hasn't Bipasha the sex symbol negated the potential actress in Bipasha?
Is that a question? Only 20 per cent of my potential has been tapped so far. You'll eat your words in a year or two, my friend. Inshallah.