"After a debut of that size, alongside Salman Khan, I can't afford to make the wrong choices and go on signing films by the kilos, " said the actress, who began her tinseltown career with this year's period film, Veer.
She was in Kolkata to promote a lineup of mobiles launched by Sky Mobiles, a Kolkata-based mobile company, that recently signed her up as their brand ambassador.
"One funny thing is, my name is actually spelt as 'Zareen'. But throughout the production of Veer and thereafter the media spelt it as 'Zarine'. And after Veer I decided to let it be since I'd be labeled a 'numerlogy-ist' if I suddenly changed the spelling of my name, " said the actress with a wry smile.
Despite the outcome of her debut film being not exactly very encouraging, Zarine said she had been approached with a lot of movies but was taking her time on deciding on them.
The actress, who said she enjoyed reading the works of Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, said she was spending a lot of time these days reading scripts and studying the world of films.
When asked what kind of movies she was looking to work in, she said said simply, "I am looking for scripts that exploit my potential."
"I am working on a movie right now. It goes on floors by the end of this year, but I can't divulge anything more than that, " said the 26-year-old beauty.
When asked if this 'movie' was the sequel to the 2007 Salman Khan starrer Partner where she is rumoured to have replaced Katrina Kaif, she said she say 'couldn't comment on that'.
On Salman Khan, Zarine still sticks the industry standard 'We-are-just-friends' answer.
And on being incessantly pitched against Katrina Kaif, she said, "I guess in the film world, comparisons will be there. Everybody is similar to somebody. We just have to read a bit less into all that."
"I wasn't supposed to be in the movies. I was going to be a doctor but I ended up here. It's all destiny I guess, " she said looking at the heavens.