Q. But despite the 'different kinds of roles', you've not been able to shake off the sex symbol tag given to you after Rangeela.
A. I don't like being called a sex symbol or a woman who has a great body. I am not the only one who keeps wearing minis, there are many more in the industry, why don't people call them sex symbols? I have to take all the brickbats for wearing skimpy clothes. If you look at my career graph I have done a variety of roles, from a woman who actually buys a married man in Judaai, to a struggling and star-struck girl in Rangeela, a simple middle class girl in Satya and an exploited actress in Mast. I am not just a glam doll, there is much more to me.

Q. Do you still identify with your middle-class roots?
A. Nothing much has changed for me. First I used to travel by train, now by car. I am still a typical Maharashtrian girl who has not forgotten her roots. I believe in values and culture of our Indian society. In the initial stage of my career, I was quite shy and I always kept to myself or buried my face in a book, now at least I make an attempt to talk to people. I am now planning to buy a laptop for myself may be then I'll get hooked on to the net.

Q. You've been shunning the media of late. Do you think the media matters or that it helps make celebrities?
A. I don't think so and thankfully I am not a media-made star. I respect the press, but I will never let them intrude into my private life. Like others, I don't like to get publicity out of what is happening in my personal life. Of course, I respect and I am thankful to the press for appreciating my work. That's it.

Q. How much credit would you give your mentor Ramgopal Varma for your success?
A. I do owe my success to Ramuji. I am fortunate to work with a director like him. He is an institution in himself. I am probably one of the most fortunate actresses to have got a chance to work with a maker of his calibre.

Q. You are probably one of the few child stars to have seen so much success as a heroine.
A. Yeah. I think I am plain lucky to get the right kind of roles. Of course I have worked hard to become what I am today too.

Q. Most actresses complain that this is a male-dominated industry and actresses have very little to do.
A. It is true. Before Rangeela happened to me, all that was offered to me were sing-and-dance roles. I agree that there is a limitation to characters that are offered to any heroine. But, it is up to the actress to select the right kind of role that suits her. As far as I am concerned, I look at the script, the director and if the character given to me is challenging only then I pick that role up. And I hate to repeat myself, the day I realise that I am repeating myself and the audience is getting tired of me, I'll put an end to it.