Neha Dhupia, former miss India Universe and a popular model-turned- actress, has come a long way than just being a sex symbol. On the sidelines of the Osian Film Festival, currently on in the Capital, the actress talks to Expressindia.com. Excerpts from an interview.
How will Neha Dhupia explain herself?
Well, (laughs) Neha Dhupia is just like any other girl, absolutely normal who has that quintessential mad streak in her, which keeps her going in her life.
Explain the ?mad streak? in you.
When I say I have a mad streak in me, what I mean is that I love doing what my heart says, like shopping, moving around places and simply enjoying whatever life has to offer to me.
How did Mithya happen to you?
With me, it was not one off idea to do Mithya. As an actor one always looks for good roles that is really a good thing to do. As far as Mithya is concerned, Rajat (Kapoor) came to me with the offer, which I readily accepted.
What do you have to say about your character in that movie?
I am playing a role of a woman companion to gangster, a moll. Naseeruddin Shah is playing the gangster role.
Could you relate to the character you played in Mithya?
No, absolutely not. I am far away from what my character is in Mithya and it has nothing to do with my real life. My real life is full of fun and jest.
If not in the movies, what would Neha Dhupia be doing today?
Well, it?s very difficult to answer this but I am happy that Bollywood happened to me and am happy with whatever I have been able to do so far in the tinsel world. But I never prepared myself to join Bollywood and it just happened to me as such.
Before coming to the world of cinema I was preparing for IAS but could not appear for it even once. And as it was destined for me I found myself in the world of glamour and modeling.
Who is your role model as an actor or actress in Bollywood?
I have no role model as such. But I do admire all the great performers of the field but nothing like favorites.
