Life has changed for Neetu Chandra who would have sunk without a trace, if Madhur Bhandarkar hadn't spotted and chosen her for his next film after 'Corporate', which has been titled as 'Signal'. TWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani chats up the actress whom the director chose for her resemblance to Smita Patil.

Q: What is your role in 'Signal'?
A: It is the role of a lifetime and I'm glad that it came so early in my career. I am playing a street girl in it. To be precise, I play a Kathiwadi girl who sells mirror-work and embroidery on the footpath.

Q: Are you enjoying it more than 'Garam Masala'?
A: Well, it's definitely more challenging. 'Signal' is being shot mainly outdoors. Like, I have to shoot in the open road. The other day my spot boy disappeared with my umbrella and I was left facing the extreme heat. I almost fainted, but didn't want to disappoint my director. So I carried on shooting without any shades. But at the end of the shoot my eyes turned red and I suffered from blurred vision, but it was worth it.

Q: Any more tough times while shooting?
A: Recently, we were shooting in Karjat. I developed big blisters on my feet, which were causing me pain. The nearest doctor had to be summoned on the sets to attend to me. I have only myself to blame. I have not been wearing any footwear. In this manner, I was getting into the skin of the character. There are many scenes where I have to give a grimace ex-pression at the traffic signals. Hence I decided that I will go bare-footed. Thoda garam lagega to ex-pression sahi aayega.

Q: How did 'Signal' happen?
A: When I heard that Madhurji was looking for someone like Smita Patil, I felt I fitted into the physical description of the role. He screen-tested me several times over a period of almost two months before I was on (pauses).

Q: Please continue...
A: It is almost like being born again! I showed Madhur-ji bits of my Kannada film 'Godavari'. In that I sport a traditional Indian look. And look at the coincidence... my director in 'Godavari' is Shakhar Kammula who is also a National Award winner like Madhurji.

Q: You have a total deglamorised look in the film?
A: That's the beauty. It's so different from my debut film Garam Masala where I even wore a swim-suit. In 'Signal', I don ghagra-cholis.

Q: Any homework you did for the 'Signal' role?
A: Since I play a totally deglam role, I actually sat on the footpath in Santacruz for a week with these women from Katiwadi. I borrowed some old clothes from my bai and I became great friends with these women. They even oiled my hair and conversed with me about their background. It was quite an experience.

Q: Were you disappointed when 'Garam Masala' failed to get your career going?
A: I have no regrets about 'Garam Masala'. I was a newcomer. I had no one to guide me. Not that I want to sound like I had to struggle... But as a new girl in Bollywood who couldn't even speak English properly, I think I managed for myself. In 'Garam Masala', I got to work with experienced talented people like Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar. Even John Abraham was far more experienced than me. So I learnt a lot in terms of acting.

Q: How did your parents react when they heard of 'Signal'?
A: My mother, who stays with me, and I have been praying constantly ever since we heard the announcement. My father is in Delhi. But I took his blessings on the phone.

Q: Do you identify with your character in 'Signal'?
A: I can understand how it feels to be a migrant in a big hostile city trying to live with dignity. I have been there.

Q: Are you being considered for Shimit Amin's film with Shah Rukh Khan?
A: I wouldn't be able to comment on Shimit's film. But yes, I have auditioned for Shimit. And I have started practising my hockey. I guess it is every girl's dream to do a Yash Raj film. If it happens, I'd consider myself unbelievably lucky.