"No I never wanted to be in the song. It's because I am a shy person. I can't be so bold and daring and I think Malaika is fabulous in the song ('Munni badnaam') and at what she does. But that's not me...I didn't want to do it, " Sonakshi, who is debuting opposite Salman Khan, told.
Considering so many actresses are giving a nod to item numbers, will she think of doing one in future?
"No. I am not open to item numbers. I am happy with what I am doing, " she said with a coy smile.
The 23-year-old studied fashion designing and was 30 kg more than what she is today. But a promise given to her by superstar Salman Khan changed her life.
"Salman had promised me that he will give me a break if I lose weight. So I started working hard...It took me two years to get into shape and he fulfilled his promise. Salman was very particular about my gym routine and pushed me into it as I was very lazy and lethargic, " she said.
Now the actress looks fit and beautiful - all excited for her first film to hit the screens in September. In "Dabangg", her role is of a village belle, Rajo, who plays an important part in changing the life of Chulbul Pandey, the protagonist played by Salman.
Sonakshi is candid when she says she always wanted a more glamorous debut but has no complaints about her first film.
"I did want a glamorous debut. Who doesn't want it? But then these days who knows what will work and what won't. The film has turned out well; it has an actor as popular as Salman and I feel it's a nice project to start off with. I think I made a good decision, " the youngster said.
But Sonakshi, who was in the capital for the music launch of "Dabangg", intends to be very selective about her future
films."I don't have to struggle a lot and sign up films frivolously, I don't have to buy a house or car, I am well settled with my family. So I want to work at my own pace and so I will be and can be extremely choosy about my films, " she said.
So is the luxury of being choosy thanks to being Shatrughan Sinha's daughter?
"There are both sides to being a star kid. For my brother (Luv Sinha), 'Sadiyaan' didn't prove to be a successful launch. So it's easy for some, and tough for some. It's easy for star kids in the sense that our parents have been in the industry for a long time and they have contacts; so filmmakers are that much more accessible.
"But it also has a downside - people have a lot more expectations from you. For me, it has been a beautiful journey so far, and I believe no journey is complete without both ups and downs equally. So I am very happy, " Sonakshi said.
