Masumi Makhija

She made a great celluloid start with Chupke Se. Then Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav spelt doomsday for MASUMI MAKHIJA. Now the girl is back in a superhot avatar in Sanjay Gupta’s Dus Kahaniyaan. Here are some of her secrets...

The phrase that defines me: Always on the run.

My pet name: Moosami. That is the name the film industry has given me as they can’t seem to pronounce my name right.

I got my first pocket money: At the age of 11. I had done an ad.

My favourite actors: Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan.

One actor who looks sexy without his shirt: Hrithik Roshan — he’s a Greek god.

The persons I am closest to in the world: My mom and my sister.

The most pathetic food I ever tasted was: I forgot the name but it’s a German dish, which is made of raw cabbage and salt. I hated it but the Germans used to have it every morning.

The most memorable day of my childhood: I want to forget this, but my mom would keep reminding me of it every time: Mr India had just released and while my mom was in the kitchen, I wore a blue sari of hers and danced to Kaate nahin kat-te with loud music. When it started to rain, I went out to dance in the rain! Mom says she saw me and pronounced, ‘She’ll become an actress’.

My first crush: Was in eighth grade — he was the school prefect.

The best compliment I have received: A senior journalist prophesied that I would make it big in the industry.

What turns me on in a man: A sense of humour and gentlemanly behaviour.

What turns me off in a man: Bad body odour and bad breath.

When I am feeling restless: I go to the beach and keep on staring at the sea.

The craziest thing I have done: Gone back-packing and travelling across Europe and US.

The most interesting gift I have ever received: I have kept with me all the gifts that I have ever received from anyone — they all are special.

What depresses me the most: Unprofessional people.

If I had a time machine: I would keep it with me for life and travel across time to see what happened in history and also to know the future.

My dream role: Scarlett ’Hara in Gone with the Wind.

My favourite book: The Life of Dalai Lama.

My favourite singer: Kishore Kumar.

I lie: Quite often.

My self-defence: I’m a karate freak.

In my next life I would like to be: An actress, but a little bit more sorted out.