There is something about Richa Chadda. The Bollywood actor never fails to impress - whether in a cotton sari, hair in two plaits, and being serenaded as Saira Banu by Manoj Bajpai in Gangs of Wasseypur , or when seducing her husband in a sexy choli in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela . And while not a glam doll, the Delhi-bred St. Stephen's alumna is decidedly sexy on celluloid.

Back from Cannes, where her small indie film Masaan bagged two awards, Chadda is now busy shooting for Pooja Bhatt's Cabaret. The film is about a dancer - the buzz goes that it's based on the life of Helen - and Chadda, often referred to as the "pin-up girl" of independent cinema, edged out stiff competition to don the dancer's garb.

Not keen to be boxed into the art house square, Chadda, who turned heads in Cannes in an ultra-sophisticated Sabyasachi sari, tells KAVITHA SHANMUGAM that she'd like to maintain a "healthy balance" between commercial films and intellectual, independent cinema. Excerpts from an interview:

Q: So, is 2015 going to be Richa Chadda's year? You have the award-winning Masaan, Main Aur Charles, Sudhir Mishra's political thriller Aur Devdas and Pooja Bhatt's Cabaret.

A: Yes, I have many interesting films and the roles I play are unique in their own way. If all these films become hits, I can say this will be my year. Only when films become box office hits are you appreciated and recognised. My debut film, Dibakar Banerjee's Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, which was fantastic, took time to become a cult film and so nobody took notice of me there. Nothing can measure up to a box office success.

Q: How do you think Masaan will impact your career?

A: Masaan was written for me - and I was happy and keen to work in it. It has got appreciation from all over the world and that is rare. It has already had a French release and will be screened in other countries. Masaan means crematorium but it is a positive and optimistic film with an unusual script. I play a priest's headstrong daughter - strong but vulnerable, traditional yet rebellious. The character is so layered that I loved it. The film is doing very well for a small film and the exposure I am getting is great. I am not signing any new film yet. I am waiting to see how all these films pan out.

Q: Is Main Aur Charles based on Charles Sobhraj's life?

A: I cannot say that is based on Charles Sobhraj. It is based on the police case files of 1986 and told from the view of a policeman. I play a law student who ends up helping him. She does fall in love with him but she is delusional. It was great fun to play this girl who is dumb but thinks she is intelligent. The film also questions morality, what is right and wrong and who is to decide that.

Q: What about your role in Cabaret?

A: It is the journey of a woman whose only real skill is survival. She is a girl on the run, and is good at escaping from situations. It has to do with dance obviously. I am learning new dances like belly dancing and Bollywood dancing for this role.

Q: How do you choose your films? You have played unusual roles - a woman gangster in the comedy Fukrey and a criminal on the run in the romcom Tamanchey?

A: Well, I read the script which is important. I look at the director and the producer, because a film's good release depends on the producer. I like doing independent cinema as well as commercial films. But I don't see myself doing senseless commercial cinema. This is the time for small films based in small towns, which are doing well today. Look at the success of a sweet film like Dum Laga Ke Haisha. Look at Deepika (Padukone). She also took a diversion and did a film like Piku.

Q: How was it in Cannes?

A: It was great. I met actors like Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, and my favourite, Marion Cotillard of La Vie en Rose. Marion is my favourite because she has an incredible range in her performances. I loved Paolo Sorrentino's film Youth, with Michael Caine.

Q: How did you get your first break?

A: I was in a play and someone saw me in it and asked me to audition for a film role. I got the part and everything changed for me after that.

Q: Do you find Bollywood competitive?

A: Mumbai is a competitive city. Look at the way they fight to get on to the local trains. Delhi is warmer, the people are nicer there. It is hard to be in this industry. It is unlike any other career because the whole world is watching you. The only part of being an actor I hate is losing my anonymity. It is annoying because people by and large are not timid and kind. They want you to pose for a photograph even if you are tired; they feel it is their birthright.

Q: Are you in a relationship?

A: I don't have time for that really. I am travelling so much - I don't even have the time to read which I used to love. I do have admirers, but I prefer to focus on my work. But I badly want to take a break. I have been working non-stop since going to Cannes in April.

Q: What do you think about the FTII fracas? And the censors' bid to ban cuss words?

A: I think it is tragic that the government is not taking note of what the students want. Several people have come out against the appointment (of the chairman, Gajendra Chauhan). If I was in his position, I would have given in my resignation in a dignified way. When the government acts in such a totalitarian manner it should remember that great works of art stopped in countries such as China and Russia when they became dictatorial. As for banning cuss words, if a film has an A certificate it's really unnecessary to ban them.