She won the first ever Miss Universal Peace and Humanity title in Lebanon last year. And now, Ruhi Singh has turned actress with equal elan.

You have been a model, and a very successful one at that. What got you to modelling?
I was always quite a dreamer. I used to take part in all the competitions in school, even if I didn't know what it was all about, like poetry, dance and singing. I started modelling because I was fascinated by it. I watched Fashion and thought of becoming a ramp model and it worked well for me. Then, I won the Miss Universal Peace and Humanity. Being on stage in the spotlight and having the audience clapping for you and also representing your country is quite something. And I was fortunate enough that I won there.

Do you enjoy being an actor as much?
I love acting. I love it more than anything I have ever done so far. It gives you a chance to explore your personality. There is so much to challenge yourself in acting that anything and everything else fades away for me.

How did Calendar Girl shappen?
The makers had seen a documentary I had featured in. I got a call from director Madhur Bhandarkar's office, asking me to meet him. I was nervous, and I did not even know if it wasCalendar Girlsor one of his other projects. But he just kept smiling and asking me questions. I didn't know that he had already finalised me.

Any recollections of the first day at shoot?
I was nervous and worried. Madhur is a perfectionist and such a big director. You get butterflies in your stomach when you think about him. After doing films like Heroine and Fashion with actors like Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor Khan, he was working with me, Ruhi Singh... the feeling was awesome. He actually came up to me and showed me how to do the scene. Also what's amazing about him is that he gives you the freedom to experiment. And he clapped for almost everything that I did on the first day. It was the best day of my life!

How do you keep fit?
I love my gym, and all kinds of physical activity. I am an outdoor person and love adventure sports. I go running, skating, and play basketball and football.

Your debut film is yet to release, but we believe you already have fans lining up. Can you share a fan experience?
There was this guy who sent me 12 bouquets of roses on my birthday. But my dog ripped it apart before I could see who had sent it. But the next day, I got a letter from the guy, and another one the next day. I received about eight letters!

Tell us something about you that is not known otherwise.
I have been taking singing lessons for some time. I sing, but I am better at rapping. I definitely see myself releasing an international album.

Finally, your fans on Follo would love to know what you look for in a man...
One thing that really turns me on is when a man is respectful towards a woman. Also, he needs to take care of himself. As I'm fitness conscious, I like it when a guy goes to the gym. Also, he needs to be ambitious. And he should be good looking and tall.