Commerce Course

I needed to explore outside offbeat films. I wanted to see if I can go for a bit of personality change and experiment with different genres. I have been envious of Kareena Kapoor — she gets to do Omkara and also Golmaal. I am getting the opportunity to do so now. But more than me,it was director Rohit Dhawan’s idea that I do Desi Boyz. The timing was perfect because I had been waiting to do something different and crazy.

The film seems to revolve around Akshay Kumar and John Abraham. What role do you play in the film?

I play Tanya Sharma,a professor at the Oxford University. Akshay’s character Jerry and Tanya have a past. When Tanya was a student,Jerry was her senior and she had a huge crush on him. But then they lost touch when he quit college. When he comes back to complete his studies,Tanya has rejoined the college as a professor. It is totally fantastical as she is still stuck on him and whenever Jerry is around,everything goes into slow motion.

It is the boys’ chemistry that is getting noticed. Where does Tanya fit into the equation?

(Laughs) Yes,their bromance is a tough competition for Jerry and Tanya’s romance. John will be a tough competition to anyone.

Struck by recession,Kumar and Abraham turn strippers. Which of the two do you find more hot?

Sadly,I wasn’t on the sets when they shot that part. Since I am paired with Akshay,I find him totally and absolutely hot.

You have also turned an item girl for Shirish Kunder’s Joker.

Yes,and I am very excited about it. We still have a few days’ shoot remaining. I am really glad Farah (Khan) wanted me to do the item number for her home production. I have always wanted to dance on-screen but did not get an opportunity earlier. This one is a complete item number. Farah has choreographed it to look very rustic,akin to famous Madhuri Dixit numbers from the 1980s. I hope to surprise people with it. I also have a peppy dance track with Akshay in Desi Boyz,titled Allah Na Kare. In fact,Rohit says that I have now sold my soul to the devil.

Are you enjoying doing commercial cinema enough to stick to it?

Commercial cinema helps me gain recognition and connect with a larger audience. But I will keep going back to the cinema I started out with. Apart from John’s home production I Me Aur Main,I also have Sudhir Mishra’s Mehrunissa,for which I will soon begin training in Kathak. But for now,with Desi Boyz,I have made that leap in the dark. I was stuck in that box being categorised and needed to be liberated.