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Minissha Lamba wooed everyone with her superwoman antics in HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT LTD and her very commendable tango dance became the talking point of the film. The petite YAHAAN actress is now looking forward to 2008 as four of her films are lined up for release. Minissha gets candid in a freewheeling chat.

Lately we haven’t seen too much of you onscreen.
I was just shooting all this while which is why you haven’t seen much of me. One of my films DUS KAHANIYAAN has just released. I have four releases lined up next year. Samar Khan’s SHOURYA where I get to play an investigative journalist, Sanjay Gadhvi’s KINDNAP where I’m playing a 19-year old girl, Ananth Mahadevan’s ANAMIKA which has me as a simple girl who gets married in a rich household and Siddarth Anand’s Untitled film which is a romantic comedy.

Tell us about DUS KAHANIYAAN?
My story is called POORANMASHI which is adapted from Kartar Singh Duggal's short story of the same name. It’s about a mother-daughter relationship and how one full moon night changes their life completely. I play a rustic village belle where pride, honour and virtue are top most qualities people abide by. It’s directed by Meghna Gulzar and I had a blast doing it. It was a fulfilling experience.

Is life looking up for you? Are you happy with the way things are shaping up?
I am extremely happy with the way my career is shaping up. I have chosen the films I have believed in and those I always wanted to be a part of. And if this means doing fewer films, so be it. I am proud of all the films I’ve done and God has been very kind and gracious. It has been a beautiful journey so far. I came from a non filmi background with no Godfather here in the industry. YAHAAN was my debut film and I’ve learnt a lot since then. But regardless of your lineage and stature, you have to go through the grind as no one has it easy here. I am eagerly awaiting 2008 and things are definitely looking up for me.

In hindsight, what do you think of ANTHONY KAUN HAI and ROCKY? ANTHONY KAUN HAI was a fantastic film but unfortunately because of its untimely release, it got sandwiched between two other films. That probably impacted its fate but I’m still glad I did it. ROCKY was an interesting experiment. It was going back to how films used to be made. I have absolutely no regrets doing both the films. I think both the films helped me evolve as an actor.

How do you zero in on a film?
I should enjoy reading the script and it has to be a story I believe in. My co-stars, banner and other issues are secondary. The script has to be invigorating enough to sustain my attention.

Is there a dream role on your wish list?
I want to do a full action film and a hardcore comedy film.

One actor you’d like to romance onscreen?
We have so many amazing actors. It’s extremely difficult to single out one. I’d love to romance them all.

Lately there were reports about you getting cozy with Aftab Shivdasani at a Mumbai nightclub. Also, a lot was made out of your off-screen chemistry with HONEYMOON TRAVELS… co-star Abhay Deol.
I choose to be nonchalant. The fact is simple. If entertainment journalism thrives on gossip and hearsay, we don’t have a way out. As an actor and a public figure, you are bound to be written and gossiped about. And if you can’t handle it, you shouldn’t be here.

What else is happening on the professional front?
I think it’s just the right moment for me. Time is ripe for my filmi career. I am looking forward to a variety of roles.

Amrita Rao represents one of the most earthly faces in Bollywood. Known for her sensitive portrayals, Amrita Rao has one of the sought after actresses in town. Of late she has created ripples for being the person behind the much talked about Shahid-Kareena breakup. Basking in the glory of her latest Telegu hit ATHIDI opposite southern super star Mohan Babu, Rao speaks to Ruhail Amin about her life and career.

ATHIDI is doing very well?
Yes it's a very good feeling that this romantic comedy has become a super duper hit in Andhra Pradesh. It has grossed more then six and a half crores. We all had worked very hard on this film. When your effort is rewarded like this, it obviously feels great.

Your name is being dragged in the Shahid-Kareena break up?
I would not want to comment on a thing as stupid as this. In fact, I am very close to Kareena and she praised my performance in VIVAAH. Even Shahid and I share a great rapport despite what people write about us.

But will this affect your friendship with Shahid?
No we both are part of this industry and very well know that links ups go with this profession. Shahid has been really sweet and called me for the premier of JAB WE MET.


You mostly play girl next door roles, besides this, what would you want to experiment with?
I want to play a psychotic killer. Out and out action flicks will also be interesting. It would really be nice, if producer made films in which the girl next door was shown to be sexy, hot and intelligent. Have we not seen many such common girls, who have gone on to become big names in various fields?

You are very careful in choosing scripts, no vulgarity for you?
Yes I can never do a role in which I am not comfortable. But if you give another item number like DEEWAR, I am game for it. In fact ‘Marhaba’ was beautifully picturized, I believe there is a very thin but distinct line between being sensuous and crass.

None of your characters have been overboard and wild?
I always like to play characters which people can easily identity with. Hence Poonam in VIVAAH, Sanjana Bakshi in MAIN HOON NA and Payal in ISHQ VISH. All these portrayals came across as warm and sweet girls.

Coming to VIVAAH, you have called it your best film till date?
Yes, it was very tough to play that character, since she hardly ever spoke. So, I had to express all the emotions through my eyes mostly. It was pretty straining, but fulfilling as an actress.

But Vivah has been panned by the critics as being too sweet?
For all the critics, my simple answer is that the film is based on a real life incident, which took place just a few years ago. Honestly even I was not sure of the validity of the idea but Suraj ji was confident about the concept and he proved right in the end.

You are also doing a film with Shyam Benegal. How’s it working with him?
Shyam Benegal is one of the most sensible filmmakers of this era and the best part is that he does not get driven by the commercial formula but always attempts to address relevant social concerns through his cinema. It’s a matter of great honour for me to be playing part in his upcoming film.

Among the male stars you have worked with, who are you comfortable with on screen?
Well actually all. If you act with a very good actor he automatically brings out the best in you as well. SRK in MAIN HOON NA was great to work with. Even Shahid and I always share great screen chemistry. I’m sure the audiences love to see us together.

What new films are you planning?
I have two films slated for release. First is Anil Kapoor's home production SHORT CUT, with Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi in which I have an out and out glamourous role. We had a great time doing this film. Next is E Niwas's MY NAME IS ANTHONY GONSALVES, which will hit the marquee around January.