Go Girl

How did your family react to the promos?
My father (Shatrughan Sinha) was watching the promo and I was watching him. He had tears in his eyes while watching the promo. Suddenly,he was seeing his little girl all grown up. My brothers were really happy and all smiles. My mom (Poonam Sinha) was with me throughout the shoot which made things much more comfortable. She hoots,whistles and claps whenever she sees me on TV. She doesn’t care where we are.

With popularity comes change. How much has life changed for you,both personally and professionally?
Personally,nothing has changed. I still get yelled at if I wake up late or if I don’t do my bed. Professionally,I am interacting with a lot more people and getting several offers. Also,the number of my Twitter followers have increased.

Stardom usually demands a price. Are you willing to pay that?
I know people start writing weird things about you. I had to face it a few days back. I am going to get used to it soon. They also write when you go out with a group of friends. But I like going out and I will continue doing it.

A week into the shoot,you were raving about the film. Now,that it’s ready for release how do you rate the experience?
I was always looking forward to being on the sets. Now that the film is over,I still want to shoot for Dabangg. I want to make Dabangg 2,3 and 4. I have never had so much fun in my life doing anything else.

Having known Salman Khan since your growing up years,was it awkward being paired opposite him?
No. When you have known someone for that long,you share a comfort level with him. When the camera is on,you are just doing a job that you are told to do. With Salman around,it was a lot easier.

If I was stuck somewhere with my lines,he would help me out. If I needed a retake,he would oblige.

Director Abhinav Kashyap and Khan have repeatedly termed you as a one-take actor. Are you?
Don’t ask me. I am good at following orders. I don’t think I can take credit for anything. I like to observe people and pick up behavioural traits. Also,acting is in my genes. I think putting all that together,I did a decent job.

You are doing Arbaaz Khan’s next,but have refused to sign other films until the release of Dabangg. Why?
I’m in no hurry. I don’t need to buy a house or a car. I got into acting with the consent of my family. I have a lot at stake—my father’s reputation and his political career. Every move I make has to be well thought out. I want to do films which I will not be embarrassed about. As for Arbaaz,he wants to cast me in his next and I have obliged. The script and director is still being worked on.

First Takes
The debutante actress shares the thrills of ‘first’ during the making of Dabangg
Shot:A hospital scene,where I had to touch Salman’s cheek and walk past him. That was obviously a one take.
Dance Sequence:A 30-second jig in Humka Peeni Hai when a drunk Salman is dreaming about her. Sinha shimmies like Shakira in a ghagra choli.
Fan Mail:A telegram from a Patna boy with his phone number. His handwriting was bad and English wrong. But he called me the pride of Bihar.
Autograph:I have signed autographs while shooting in Wai and Panchgani for several kids who didn’t know me.
Recently,a boy who recognised me asked for my autograph.
That felt different.