/> Mention the 'S' word to Shilpa and she smiles. "Salman is truly my best buddy. HeHeHeHe knows me from the time I was 17. He's seen me grow up. I was this thin gawky teenager petrified by his image. He treated me like a child, still does in fact."

She gets nostalgic about him. "Salman has been through a lot. I'd never dream of giving up my friendship with him just because he's been in trouble...I first met Salman during a world tour when his image as an enfant-terrible was at an all-time high. I was initially scared of me. But he was such a gentleman!

I remember fourteen years ago when I was this Alice In Blunderland, Mom and I had traveled without a male companion to the US. Salman was so sweet and helpful.

Anyone who knows him would know how sweet chivalrous and polite he is to ladies. As for his wild image, if he's pushed around he'll push back That doesn't make him any different from any of us. I remember when our family was in a spot of trouble Salman stood by us like a pillar of strength.

Not just Salman, but his entire family...Salim Uncle, Salma Aunty, Helen Aunty...are all very close to me.

I've been linked to Salman. Yes. But he all the time that I've known him he has constantly had a girlfriemd. People have barked up the wrong tree. These rumours haven't affected our friendship."

They had a release together Shaadi Kar Ke Phans Gaya recently. "I'm glad it finally saw the light of day. I've done four films with Salman including the late Mukul Anand's Dus which never beyond the first schedule. But Shaadi Kar Ke... is the one closest to my heart.

Unike my other films with him this one was an out-out-out romantic film. It's the first film I signed after Dhadkan. As you know, Dhadkan was a turning-point in my career. To be signed with Salman at that point of my career meant I had arrived.

Besides being a dear friend he was, and is, a huge star. To be paired opposite him was a huge high for me. And I can't deny the role in Shaadi Kar Ke ... was very challenging for me. After I signed a film with Salman I also got Sunny Deol as my hero in Indian. So in a way Shaadi Kar Ke....put me in the big league."

Shilpa is in splits talking about Salman's pranks. "I remember we were shooting an emotional scene and Salman wouldn't stop laughing in front of me. The more I pleaded with him to keep a straight face the more he made me laugh. It's so weird but Salman is truly effortless.

He's very underplayed and extremely underrated. He's very good in Shaadi Kar Ke..... I'm okay. Salman had worked with both the producer Bubby Kent and the director Adiyamann before.

I was the odd one out. But I had a ball. I think the director is a fabulous technician. I don't get to play the conventional heroine in Shaadi Kar Ke.....It's on the theme of marital discord, a topic quite in discussion.

In fact marriage is an issue that can never get dated. Salman and I play a couple who are a dream together before marriage and a nightmare after marriage"

Was she apprehensive about the film's fate? "Nooooooo! Why should I be? I've survived in the industry for fourteen years, watched so many girls come and go, without being manipulative. It's cool. I've no regrets.

Sure, Shaadi Kar Ke.... Went through his share of problems. Salman has had a big 'Shaadi' hit earlier (Mujhse Shaadi Karoge). Too bad this one didn't work."

Shilpa has just started work on Anurag Basu's Metro. "I've been shooting with Kay Kay Menon and Shiney Ahuja. Both fabulous actors. Then there're two fabulous actresses Konkona and Kangana.

The names can get quite confusing on the sets. I think we'll have fun shooting. Considering I haven't been seen for a whole year it'll be good for my career to be seen in three biggies one after another."

Metro is being released on Jan 26. "Same day as Rang De Basanti. Metro is a kind of film I can relate to. It's a film that's not just realistic but also commercial. Anurag Basu gets such work out of new actors.

How does he do it? Anurag is also a good actor. He explains a role so well.He's so calm and so full of beans. I know I'll be seen in a different light in Metro."