Neetu Chandra is ensuring that the winter of 2009 begins on a RED HOT note with the dare bare shoot that she has just done for the magazine Maxim.

Never ceasing to surprise month after month, Neetu Chandra shows the other side of herself (well literally!) as she confidently poses for the camera in a never seen before avatar...

What prompted you to get into a new avtar like this? Frankly, your dare-bare avtar has left quite a few of us shocked?
(Laughs) Don't be so shocked; it isn't that scandalous after all. Maxim approached me to do the photo shoot.

I thought to myself that when I am quite comfortable to do so many different kinds of characters anyways in my films then why not be a face for this photo shoot as well? I have worn swimsuit in my very first film (Garam Masala) so there was no big deal in doing it again.

For the Maxim shoot, it was quite a collaborative act and I worked with the costume designer to arrive at a final look for me.

Are we going to see you on the Maxim cover?
It's not for a cover but for a full fledged feature in the magazine. (Laughs) I remember an incident when a man out there was telling me that audience wanted to see me in different look. He came up with an idea around coming up with an entirely new sensual look and design for the shoot. The result is there for everyone to see.

You have been in the industry for 3 years now. Had you been waiting for the right moment to strike?
(Pauses) It's not that I waited for the right kind of moment to 'strike' or anything. I didn't plan anything like that, in fact no one can. Luckily things were falling in the right place and the shoot happened. I am glad people are liking this look.

At the end of the day, the entire skin show exercise would come with a purpose, right? Is it like enhancing your portfolio further?
It was not about enhancing my portfolio further. People have in any case seen me in a swimsuit earlier so it was not about projecting my new look further. It was just about being excited to do something like this.

How about the approval from your family folks? Any objections from their end?
My family people were quite okay with the idea of the shoot. They very well understand the profession that I am in. In fact I am here in Bollywood because of my family.

They always persuade me to do what I want and have been with me throughout. See, the point is that as long as the pictures are shot aesthetically, it is all fine. In fact I didn't even have to inform them before I posed for the camera.

During the shoot, how comfortable were you with your own skin?
Quite comfortable because I am someone who doesn't believe in the concept of 'Size Zero'. I believe that for a woman, her curves and curls should be in the right place. I have been getting calls appreciating my approach towards the shoot.

Of course, people have found me quite sensuous and hot. The credit for that should also go to the magazine which is quite creative in itself and photographer R. Burman who was excellent behind the camera.

So after the shoot, is Neetu making a statement to her colleagues in the industry?
I don't know whether the shoot is akin to making a statement or not but for sure people would be able to realize now that I can be versatile as required by the situation and the setting.

I can get into the skin of any character that they could think of. If required, I can play a girl next door and give me a platform and I would be your sexy next door girl.

Happy with the way life is treating you?
Much more than just happy (smiles). I am pretty much satisfied with the way things are going in my own life. I am looking at things quite positively, especially 2009 that should be my special year. And yes, as long as I can tease all the guys out there, it is excellent!