/> Malaika Arora who has so far done some way-to-go-go item songs agreed to do her first regional item song in the Telugu film with the reigning superstar Mahesh Babu.

And only because Mahesh's wife Namrata Shirodhkar who's an old friend, requested Malaika. But once in Hyderabad to shoot the song Malaika was in for a confounding culture shock.

"I never thought I'd dance in a regional film. She said they needed me to do a song and dance. I thought I wouldn't be able to mouth those Telugu words. But Namrata convinced me. It was ages since I had met her.

I told her the entire team including the choreographer was unknown to me, and I wouldn't be comfortable. And to me being comfortable in what I do is very important.

She told me to just relax and promised to be there for me. When I heard the track I found it very cool."

Malaika still can't believe the experience. "I had taken my friends along and at the end of it they were wondering if it was for real."

Malaika describes the experience as "hysterical."

"All those words and movements. And some of those steps....The whole bump-and-grind routine that I was used to was completely changed."

What Malaika found truly weird was the complete absence of interaction with her leading man during the dance.

"When I danced with Shah Rukh in Dil Se and Kaal we were...dancing together. But the entire definition of screen-heroism in the South is different.

With Mahesh there was absolutely no interaction even though we were dancing on the same set. He was playing the unattainable Adonis and I was the ....dancer. I found it hilarious.

Mahesh said all of five words to me during the entire shooting. But let me add he's a thorough gentleman."

Malaika requested the team for a more interactive dancing. "But I was told this is the way it is in South. So I just did my work. It was nevertheless fun, and worth it because I did it for a friend."

Malaika is still not open to doing full-length parts. "I've neither the time nor the patience. Every other day I get an offer. But I politely decline. I really don't have the space or time. I can't divide my time between my son and work. I can't break away for two months and do a film."

She is in the process of getting over her 'item' career. "Lately I heard a couple of scripts where I've more to do.

Incidentally I also did an item song with my husband Arbaaz for a Hindi film by Kannada director P. Lankesh which they'll probably dub into Kannada.That was any day more interactive than my song with Namrata's husband, " she breaks into peals of laughter.