Q: Kaal is already a potential blockbuster. Such great expectations are rare. Do you take this as a good sign or a bad sign for the film?

Kaal is an out-and-out suspense thriller. The promos for the film have been handled excellently. That is definitely a good sign. But one thing that the audience must keep in mind is that in spite of being a Karan Johar venture, Kaal is nothing like his trademark films. So if they watch the movie with a fixed mindset, they are bound to be disappointed. If that is taken care of, then Kaal is a guaranteed entertainer.

Q: Tell us something about Kaal as a film...

The movie is about how a forest tries to get rid of anything that does not belong. It is a scary film at places, but a thorough entertainer throughout.

Q: How was it working with debutant director Soham?

It was wonderful! Soham is very focused as a director. Although he had a producer like Karan (Johar), he didn’t let that affect what he wanted to achieve. The script remained unchanged till the end.

Q: What sets your character Ishika apart from conventional female protagonists?

Ishika is an urbane girl who is deeply in love with her boyfriend. Ishika is extremely superstitious and believes in astrology, numerology, fate and the likes. She is very insecure as a person and her biggest strength is Dev, without whom her life would come to a standstill. The constant association of superstitions in Ishika’s life sometimes irks Dev, but he still loves her a lot. Another major trait that is characteristic of Ishika, is that she has an uncanny sixth sense.

Q: Is Lara similar to Ishika?

Yes, in quite a few ways, I’m very similar to Ishika. I, too, am superstitious to an extent, for instance, even I walk back nine steps after a black cat crosses my path (laughs). No, seriously, I have faith in astrology and numerology, to an extent. And I’m in love with my boyfriend, too! (smiles)

Q: Kaal is the first jungle film. What was it like to work with actual tigers?

Well, when Karan first read out the script for Kaal, I got very excited at the prospect of shooting with tigers. At that time, I couldn’t wait to do the scene. But don’t ask me what happened while actually shooting; we were so petrified, that we even forgot to scream!

Imagine a full-grown tiger coming up and smelling you! Normally, when wild animals are used in movies, they are either tranquillised or restraints are used. This was not the case here.

The tigers were in their full senses and nobody even bothered to snip their claws! But, they were extremely well trained, and there was no cause for worry. It was a great experience, especially for a person like me, who is very much into adventure sports and other things of similar nature. I simply love the feeling of the adrenaline rushing inside me.

So now, I’m very glad that we did some fabulous scenes with the tigers.

Q: Kaal is a multi-starrer film; the entire cast being big names. So hasn’t the coming together of so many stars affected the importance of your role in the film?

Oh, absolutely not! Every character in the film is present to serve a purpose and each is as important as the other. The movie will not happen even if a single character is absent.

So, the question of my character’s importance lessening does not arise at all. Ishika is as vital for the film as is Dev (Vivek Oberoi), Krish (John Abraham), Riya (Esha Deol) and Kali Pratap Singh (Ajay Devgan).

Q: You are one of the mainstream Bollywood actresses who has made a name by dancing around trees. How does it feel to be working in a film where there are no songs?

We shot songs for the promos and they are doing very well. But the inclusion of songs would have hindered Kaal’s pace.

Q: What was it about Kaal that made you sign it instantly?

I signed Kaal because Dharma Productions is the best production house in the country and the script of Kaal was mindblowing. Also, I was very attracted by the fact that we were going to be put up at Jim Corbett National Park for 45 days. I knew that the presentation of the film would be marvellous and it was a potential hit.

Q: You started your career with Priyanka Chopra in Andaaz. What do you think of her as a competitor? Are there any of her roles that you would have liked to play?

Well, certainly Priyanka and I are contenders for top position, but I think she is a very talented actor. Apart from her, Sushmita (Sen) and myself were approached for Aitraaz for the same role. But, after I saw the movie, I realised that Priyanka has done full justice to the character. I can’t imagine either Sushmita or myself in that part because she has made an ever-lasting impression on the viewers.

As for playing any of her roles, I would have liked to play her character in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. That was a very interesting part.

Q: Your previous films like Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, Elaan and Insan didn’t do very well at box-office. Do you think you made a mistake by signing these films?

No, I won’t say that I made a mistake by signing these films. When you take up a film, you wholeheartedly believe in it, otherwise you wouldn’t be signing it in the first place.

So, after all the hard work and effort that you put in, still if a film doesn’t click with the audiences, it is very disappointing.

But, post-Insan, I think my interaction and experience in the industry has grown, so I can judge myself better now. I think I can do comedy well although I’m trying to be modest (laughs). So now if anyone approaches me with movies like Elaan and Insan, I believe I will refuse them. I’m mentally more comfortable with the industry now.

Q: Post your item song in Khakee (Aisa jadoo dala re), were you flooded with offers for item dances?

Yes, I did get a whole lot of offers for item numbers, but I didn’t want to focus on them at all. I did Khakee because I wanted to work with Rajkumar Santoshi, not because I was looking for item numbers.

I don’t mind dancing for songs in my own films. And now, as I watch my career falling into place, I don’t even need to do item numbers.

Q: In your journey from model to Bollywood actress, how far do you think you have gone?

I believe in my talent and the audience believes in it, too. I think that has helped me come as far as this. But I still have a very long way to go and prove myself. I want to experiment with different genres of roles and I obviously see myself at the top at some point of my career.

Q: You are one of the few actresses who has been steady in your relationship. So, is marriage the next thing you are looking at?

No. At the moment I’m very secure in my relationship and don’t feel the need to get married. I want to focus on my career and immerse myself in work. I obviously see myself married at some point of time in the future. But right now, it’s just work for me.

Q: Let’s talk about Kelly Dorji. What was the best thing about his performance in Tango Charlie?

I had seen Kelly work really hard for the role, and the best thing is that his commitment has been appreciated in the film. It feels really good when people call him up to congratulate him. Also, he really put in a lot of effort into his Hindi, a language he isn’t really comfortable with. Nevertheless, for a debut, I’ll give Kelly 10 on 10.

Q: Your name was linked with John Abraham’s on the sets of Elaan. Did this come in the way of your relationship with Kelly?

When you are in this industry, association of costars is something you have to cope with. Both Kelly and I are very committed to each other, and so are John and Bipasha (Basu).

So, this hasn’t affected either relationship in any way. We are mature individuals and the only way to kill these rumours is to ignore them totally. And that is precisely what we are doing.

Q: Moving towards current affairs related to Bollywood, what is your take on the recent sting operations?

I don’t think that these kinds of stunts can even be called journalism.

Casting couch does not mean rape; it is a consensual act of two individuals. It does exist, but the level you stoop to, to expose this, is really disgusting.

You cannot lay a trap for someone and then when that person is trapped, call it an expose. It is just not ethical.