After keeping a low profile, you seem to be resurfacing with Rakht.Rakht is a film I am really proud of. A lot of what I felt during Raaz is coming back in Rakht. I can sense the excitement. It was a tough character to portray and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Any apprehensions about playing mother to an eight-year-old in the film?I am not apprehensive about playing anything except making two pigtails and dancing in a college compound. You would have to pay me a lot and I would have to be very greedy to break into a song in a college wearing a pink T-shirt. That’s not me at all.You got yourself bangs for your role of a tarot reader in Rakht. Part of the look?Yes, that’s something I worked on. I needed to exude a feeling of mystery. Even where my clothes are concerned, I told Rocky S to make me outfits in earthy shades of beige, brown and black, to suit a cold climate. I’ve worn lots of soft pashminas and long skirts. I was categorical that I didn’t want to wear leather pants and jackets. My character Drishti had to look serene and alluring, not overtly sexy. It was rumoured that you practise black magic and that you carry voodoo dolls with you. Is that true?It’s completely untrue. By nature, I am a big phuski. You have to see how I watch a horror film. I think watching me watch one is almost like a comedy film. Forget voodoo dolls, I can’t even sleep alone. You have to just say boo for me to get scared. But after this tarot reader role, I’m sure these black magic rumours will gather steam. Not too long ago, you were Bollywood’s undisputed queen of oomph. But now, the likes of Mallika Sherawat and Sameera Reddy are threatening to take over.I can’t talk about them. But I do think that even though there are people who ape others, ultimately a person is most comfortable being himself For example, I don’t want to look like Aishwarya Rai. I don’t look or behave it. So what’s the point of aping her? But do you admit that certain actresses are following your footsteps?I don’t know whether they are following me or not. I think we have to let people lead their own lives. But what I really detest is that after Jism, the kind of films coming out are being termed as rip-offs of Jism. I hardly exposed in Jism, it was only that I was playing a bold character. In fact, I have never ever exposed till date. If I do expose to the extent that has been written about, then nobody would be able to film it. I’ve lost 10 kg in the last three months. If I want to expose, I will do it now. What does the future hold for John Abraham and you?I can’t predict the future because I am not God. Though I wish I was. But we are very happy together and have plans for the future. I’ve found a great companion, though we do have our ups and downs. Little fights notwithstanding, we are doing fine. And what about your plan to open a restaurant?I have canned that. Now I have a bigger idea. Maybe in about three to four years, I will direct a film. I will discard the heroine label and start afresh. I want to portray my ideas.
