Ruhi Singh, Miss Universal Peace and Humanity 2014, who debuted with Madhur Bhandarkar's Calendar Girls has oodles of confidence.

While she has the makings of a diva, her rapping skills are a pleasant surprise.After the release of her maiden film, she tells Bombay Times about her new-found 'It' girl status, her dream of having an all-female band and how she has finally arrived where she always aspired to be. Excerpts...

How did you bag Calendar Girls?
I was one of the protagonists in a documentary. I was 18 when it was shot. When Madhurji saw it, he thought I had a star-like quality. When I met him in his office for the first time, we spoke at length about society and politics. He found me to be very intelligent and confident. I cleared the look test and bagged the film.



What struck you the most about your character in the film?
I play Mayuri Chauhan from Rohtak, who becomes an actress and ends up winning a Filmfare Award. Like Madhurji says 99% of Calendar Girls disappear but I am among that 1% who make it big and become a superstar. She is a bubbly small-town girl who knows how to hold her ground. I watched Madhurji's earlier films for reference and carefully studied Deepika Padukone's journey because she is a successful Calendar Girl. I watched Priyanka Chopra's films too. All these girls have transformed from jaw-dropping beauties to solid performers. My character is witty and confident and her journey to stardom in the film is a neat, planned one. When I heard the script, I knew this was the character I wanted to play.



How was it working with Madhur?
I remember as a kid, I once walked the ramp on an annual day fashion show as Fashion Ka Jalwa played in the background. Most of my old school friends and seniors still remember that. I couldn't ever imagine in my wildest dreams that I will get to debut with Madhurji. Despite achieving so much, he is still humble. You should always have humility because the people you meet while climbing up are the same people you meet when you come down in life. Life is an illusion after all and everything is transient. Have fun in the moment and let it go.