GRACY SINGH tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that she is not in a tearing hurry to settle down in life.

What is your role in Dekh Bhai Dekh?
I play a small town girl called Babli who is a sweet and bubbly girl in the film Dekh Bhai Dekh. What I like best about the film is that my role has grey shades. All the characters in the film are very realistic and not at all larger than life; like the characters one generally sees in hardcore Hindi commercial films these days, though the film is an out and out entertainer.

To what extent was the role challenging for you as an actress?
It is quite a challenging role for me as an actress because of the situation turns in the film, which makes the protagonist's world topsy-turvy, when she is unwittingly involved in a crime and become aggressive.

In fact, the sweet bubbly girl ends up as an aggressive character due to circumstances. Babli has had a failed marriage and needs money to rise back to her feet. Hence, she gleans people around her with similar needs to involve them in her sinister plan.

What made you say yes to the project?
I agreed to be a part of the project after I heard the script from director Rahat Kazmi. To tell you the truth, initially I was quite skeptical when I heard the script but was convinced because the story is very unique.

How did you prepare for the role as an actor?
I did not have to do much preparation for the role. All that I had to do; to get into the skin of the character was to learn to chalo a cycle tyre like street-urchins, when the shoot was in Satara.

How was your experience of having acted with Mammootty?
It was a pleasure to work in a Malayalam film opposite a veteran actor like Mammootty. I learnt a lot by just observing him in action, though I could not understand a word of Malayalam when I shot for the film.

Which are the other films up your sleeves, besides Dekh Bhai Dekh?
Besides Dekh Bhai Dekh, I have a host of releases lined up for this year. Like "By Chance" which is an out-and-out comedy. Then there is "I Exist" directed by Shashi Preetam, the guy who directed the recently released Kirkit starring Jackie Shroff.

In "I Exist", I have been teamed with Sanjay Kapoor and Arbaaz Khan. I play a doctor in the film. Incidentally, it will be my third film in which I am playing a doctor after Armaan and Munnabhai MBBS.

Why did you agree to act in a C-grade film like Desh Drohi?
To tell you the truth, I regret having agreed to do the film. I was shocked to know that producer Kamal Khan himself was actually the hero of the film when I reached the sets. But by then, I felt it was too late for me to throw tantrums and opt out of the film. I refused to be a part of his project when he called me about his film's sequel some time back.

You seem to be stuck with a staid image as an actress?
I am quite possessive about the clean image with which I have been saddled as an actress after I did Lagaan. I do not want to sully the image by getting into a bikini or doing ultra glamorous roles by wearing itsy-bitsy see through costumes.

What is your approach as an actor?
I am a director's actress and prefer to be like clay in the hands of the director so that he can mould me the way the character demands. I do not take anything seriously because I am of the opinion that nothing is permanent in life.

Do newcomers pose a threat to you?
Why should I get threatened by the influx of younger and newer actresses today on the scene? Every day is different. You just cannot prevent new people from making their mark in the film industry.

It has been happening from times immemorial. Today, I want to see an actress like Vyjayanthimala on the screen but I know that it is only a wishful thinking.

Is marriage on the cards?
My younger sister Lisa got married recently. Though there is a lot of pressure from my parents and all the relatives at home to settle down, I am not in a hurry. I told my sister not to wait for me and gifted her a mangalsutra for her marriage.