Actress Sameera Reddy is on a high as her Bengali film "Kaalpurush" is one of the frontrunners in the best film category in this year's National Awards. And director Buddhadev Dasgupta is so impressed that he has already signed her for his next film.

Dasgupta even said that Sameera reminded him of the late Smita Patil.

"It's an honour to be associated with someone like Buddhadev Dasgupta. His sense of vision is just so amazing and he's got the best out of me. I gave up my Diwali and worked extremely hard. I'm glad my sincerity paid off. I went to Kolkata, learnt Bengali and actually saw how the women draped cotton saris there," says Sameera.

"I play a frustrated wife who wants to become a writer. She's caught in a bad marriage and it's about the struggle that she goes through. Women will be able to identify with this film since it addresses real issues. As for Buddhadev's next film, I haven't even heard the script," she adds.

About her forthcoming film "Naksha" she says: "I play a TV presenter, a city bred girl who lands up in a jungle with two guys. I had to get physically fit for this character. I learnt horse riding, river rafting and sword fighting.

"I felt very protected with Sunny Deol and Viveik Oberoi. I couldn't have done those stunts without them. Initially, I was scared out of my wits while preparing for the cliff sequence. One safety rope was holding all of us. But the safety measures were really good. Sunny and Viveik made it much easier. They are real Punjab da puttars."

Sameera doesn't quite agree with Sunny's reclusive image. "I don't think Sunny is shy and reclusive. He is one of the cutest co-stars I've ever had. He used to crack jokes at 5.00 a.m. when we all were drained out."

A gizmo freak that Sameera is, she carries her portable play station everywhere. That probably explains the new mobile game that features her as a warrior princess.

"I am a big gamer myself. As an actor I represent the young crowd and my image also goes with it. I worked on the game for a long time and it will be launched very soon," she says.

Asked about her equation with sisters Meghna and Sushma, Sameera says she is thoroughly pampered by them though she doesn't see them working together in the near future.

"I am like the baby of the house. My sisters really pamper me and are very protective about me. We never discuss work at home. Sushma and I are at different levels. We choose different roles. So I don't see us acting together in future."