She looks like a million bucks. Parineeti Chopra also has an interesting line-up of films and several big brand endorsements in her kitty. The actor says she is in a `great place` workwise. However, Parineeti, who turns a year older on October 22, wishes to celebrate her birthday in a `special way` this year. `I am a birthday person. I am not modest about birthdays. I am shameless about gifts. I have got a bigger house only so that I can accommodate more gifts (laughs),`she says, talking about her love life, and more.

Do you like celebrating your birthday?
Yes, absolutely. From October 23, I start a countdown to my next birthday (laughs). The irony is that I don't celebrate my birthday in a big way. I just know that it is my day and that people will call me and send me presents. You get a lot of love on this day. This year though, since I have worked a lot and I plan to continue working, I will do something special. I will organise a party or go out, and dance and have fun with my friends.

Is this birthday special for you, as you have new films in your kitty after taking a break?
Yes, when it comes to work, I am in a great place. I am glad that I could finish one film, and have [signed] the next one already. We will announce another one soon. It is going to be busy a year, which is what I wanted. I have worked towards this. I have worked on my body, and I am charged up about the coming year. In fact, the last six months flew by. This birthday is going to be a good one.

You recently said that the only thing you will be quiet about is your personal life...
Three to four years ago, I used to think that if I have someone special in life, I will be open and I will tell people about it. That still remains true to a certain extent, as I won't hide it. At the same time, I won't flaunt it too. There's so much scrutiny. Relationships are overanalysed. I don't want that to happen to my relationships or my love life.

Is something happening on the romantic front?
Right now, there's nothing. However, I have opened my heart to a relationship. I want somebody to come into my life. So, hopefully, it should happen soon. I am putting out the message into the universe. With the kind of place I am in, emotionally and personally, I would love to be with someone [special].

What worries you the most vis-a-vis your personal life?
Since I am a public figure, my personal life will get written about, and that is bound to affect my relationships. That's why I want to be careful about it (talking about her private life). My personal life - be it my love life, kids or marriage, are of utmost importance to me. I don't want to get affected by the global scrutiny that every celebrity has to go through.


Your last release, Kill Dill (2014), didn't do well at the box office. Yet, you chose to take a break from films. Were you not worried?
The answer is no, because when I had taken that break, I knew why I was taking it. The break has helped me so much. I put in a lot of passion and hard work into what I do. Plus, the kind of response that I get for everything now - whether it is for photo shoots, brand endorsements or films - is so positive. That's because making an effort each working day. I think that was missing in my life two-three years ago. Maybe, I wanted to give more, but I wasn't able to. The break has recharged me.

Do you feel positive about yourself after your makeover?
I feel really good, happy and positive about myself. It's not just because of my physical transformation, but because I feel healthier, I have more stamina. I feel fresher when I wake up and feel happy with my work. I guess that's showing, and I want to maintain this. It's a result of everything that I do, whether it's a photo shoot, an ad or a film; I can see the difference.

It takes a lot of courage to take a break at the start of your career...
It's a huge mark of strength. And honestly, I give credit to myself that I decided to take a break when I should have done more films. My intentions behind the break worked out well. I wanted to feel better and was tired of working every single day. Whatever I have done in the past year has been accepted. Even though I took a break, the flow of offers for films and ads have been the same. It only means that I must have earned people's goodwill in those two years. Otherwise, actors are written off in a jiffy. Touchwood, that hasn't happened.

Your parents must be proud that you have bought a house in Mumbai?
Buying a house in Mumbai is a big thing. People joke about it, saying things like, `Main ek din ghar banaunga yahaan (I will build a house here).` I am so thankful that I have got my own house. It's my space and I own it. I have lived in a rented place for the longest time - for five years. My parents also feel that I have achieved something. It's a proud feeling.