If all had gone well Kangana would've been Amitabh Bachchan's Lolita long before Ram Gopal Varma thought of it.

"I was supposed to do a Lolita-like subject with Mr Amitabh Bachchan for Mr Pahlaj Nihalani. Then they told me Naseerji(Shah) was supposed to replace Mr Bachchan. But Pahlajji was in a hurry and wasn't willing to wait for Naseer.

Then I was told Govinda would do Lolita with me. The hero kept changing. I finally returned the signing amount and moved on. Now suddenly that dead project has been brought up again in the press, as though I had done something dirty.

What was the need to shame me for a film that I had signed and backed out properly? I feel it was a deliberate attempt to embarrass me."

Things couldn't look up any more for the plucky and frank Gangster girl. In just about six months since her startling debut Kangana did one more central character of a traumatized girl in Woh Lamhe, and trotted off to Johannesberg to shoot her first full-on masala film Shakala Laka Boom Boom for director Suneel Darshan.

And that isn't all. She has just clinched a three-movie deal with UTV.

"From Anurag Basu to Suneel Darshan is a long way, isn't it? I'm having so much fun, " she screams with characteristic enthusiasm.

Johannesberg was fun. "When I did Gangster I didn't even realize what I was doing. I did whatever the director said. And I was like a part of the unit, helping out in whatever way I could. Here in Suneelji's film I was treated like a star."

In Shaka Laka Boom Boom Kangana plays this chic stunner who gets caught between the ego of a music badshah Bobby Deol and his protégé Upen Patel. "I loved letting my hair down, loved the dancing, plus the performing scope. It's a Bollywood film. But it gives me a lot to do."

Says Kangana, "I've become used to playing the central character. Both Gangster and Woh Lamhe featured me in central roles. Even in Shaka Laka Boom Boom I'm no walk-over. I'm central to the plot. I feel very satisfied with my progress.

To take up such challenging roles at such an initial stage of my career is a big challenge for me. Ab mujhe aise roles ka chaska lag gaya hai. I don't know how I'll respond to a role where I just have to stand around looking pretty and dumb. Abhi to mera warm-up bhi nahin hua hai!

During Gangster I wondered why I had to scream and shout while my co-stars Emraan and Shiny were doing their jobs quietly. In Shaka Laka Boom Boom I've a much quieter role. I've to emote through the eyes. Even my look has changed completely."

For the first time Kangana got the full glam treatment. "I had THE Manisha Malhotra do my clothes. I play a very glamorous character. I'd like to believe Manish has transformed me just as he transformed Karisma and Urmila.

I'm not the kind of actress who accentuates her mouth and eyes with makeup. I go for the natural look. I feel I look very soft glamorous vulnerable and innocent in Shaka Laka Boom Boom. I've straightened-out my permed hair.

You won't recognize me. I've never felt I looked good. But in Shaka Laka Boom Boom I do," Kangana's confidence has grown by leaps and bounds.

She describes Bobby as "out of the world".

"He's so down-to-earth and so willing to help a newcomer like me although he's such a big star. Luckily both Bobby and Upen are tall. I had no issues about shoes. I could wear high heels without feeling guilty."

In Woh Lamhe Kangana played the role of a schizophrenic woman inspired by Parveen Babi. "The director Mohit Suri did a fantastic job. It's easy for a character like me to get hysterical and go over-the-top. My only worry was to not lose control and irritate the audience.

The mood-swings had to be done in a non-filmy away. I didn't want to play the character as a filmy paagal. Mohit has shot this film so well."

She's all set for the release of Anurag Basu's next. "Metro has an ensemble cast. To be honest, I like the thought of not shouldering a film. It's nice to have talented co-stars like Shilpa Shetty, Shiney, Konkona, K. K Menon. I got to learn so much from them, just as I've learnt from Bobby. Even the way he glances at his mirror shows how professional he is. I need to observe and learn."

She sighs. "I think unintentionally I've taken on too much work. Now I'm going to slow down. I want to give my hundred percent to every film for me. "