Bipasha Basu had no mentor and no camps. Yet she has made it in the big league. This year, she has quite a few films lined up for release. In a chat with TWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani, she talks about her career and future plans.

Q: Have you made mistakes and learnt from them?
A: Who doesn't make mistakes? Is anybody perfect? I made mistakes initially, since I do not come from a filmi background. Actually, I am a very headstrong girl.

If I want to do something I will do it, no matter what it takes. I have the courage to admit my mistake. I am not embarrassed of anything that I have done in this industry and I have not hurt anyone by what I am doing. I am very clean on that.

Q: Ever repented that you did not have a godfather?
A: You must be kidding. I am very confident and never pessimistic. Half the battle is won if you are positive in life. I knew my work will do the talking. As an outsider, my path has been, perhaps, a little more difficult than those of star kids. But ultimately the audiences have to like you. Today I am proud of the fact that I am a familiar name.

Q: Why did you start doing so many multi-starrers?
A: I worked so hard on so many films - like 'Madhoshi', 'Rakht' and 'Chehra', which no one even saw. But I smartened up after all the flops. And decided to do some multi-starrers. 'No Entry' was part of this scheme of mine.

It was while doing this film I realised that I was enjoying working in a multi-starrers. If you can make your presence felt among ten other actors, you know that you have done a truly good job.

Q: But you are solo in 'Corporate'?
A: In 'Corporate', I will be seen with nearly 35 actors. So you can't call it a solo film per se. It was great working with Madhur Bhandarkar. At this point, I am doing films only with people I am comfortable with. I am even doing some special appearances because I want to work with certain filmmakers. But please note that I am not in the rat race.

Q: Which are your forthcoming films?
A: 2005 was a good year for me and I hope that 2006 follows suit. I now await the release of 'Phir Hera Pheri', 'Dhoom 2' and 'Corporate' this year. Added to this, work is fast moving on Vishal Bhardwaj's film based on Othello and Abbas Mastan's untitled next. Then, I will begin work on Rituparno Ghosh's 'Draupadi', next year.

Q: You almost didn't do 'Phir Hera Pheri'?
A: This is one more question where you will yet again get an honest reply. True, I had apprehensions about doing the film initially, when the director changed (Satish Kaushik was supposed to direct it). But then I weighed that Neeraj Vora was a good choice.

Q: What's your role in 'Phir Hera Pheri'?
A: I like doing comedy and I am pretty comfortable while doing it. It's not that I have become pucca expert at it, but I have fewer inhibitions about doing a comedy, now. With 'No Entry' and 'Phir Hera Pheri' I have taken a step forward and increased my repertoire of acting.

Q: That didn't answer my question?
A: Oh yeah! Like everyone else in the film, I am also running after money. For the better part of the film, the others are chasing me.

Q: Your tapes with an indecent conversation with a politican made national news, recently?
A: It was the first time I felt vulnerable in this industry. Nothing has affected me- breakups, flops, fatness- but this is the only time things were too much out of hand.

There is not an iota of truth in it. I felt cheated and violated. I cried and howled as child. I don't want an apology. I am still going ahead with my legal proceedings. I am trying to move it in my own way.

Q: What are your future plans?
A: I want to start a restaurant but do not have time for it right now. I could hire people to do it, but frankly I want to do it myself. I also want to have a fashion label and a health spa. All these, apart from getting married, of course.

Q: Something about John?
A: Time and again, I have spoken extensively about John. He is not a national monument for me to keep talking about him.

Q: John is passionate about bikes. And you are passionate about?
A: My passion is to work out, eat good and be good to my family, friends and my boyfriend. I am a very basic and simple person. Frankly, I am too simple