Her forthright attitude has often drawn media attention towards her, as much as her relationship with boyfriend Sikander Kher, whom she has been conspicuously guarding from the media glare.

But Gul Panag is now waiting to prove her potential at the box-office. After the de-glamorised role that she last played in "Dhoop", the ex-Miss India is being seen in a totally diverse character in "Jurm", reports Bollywood Trade.

"'Jurm' is no doubt a complete diversion from the role I had last essayed in 'Dhoop'. Besides being a commercial film on a much bigger scale with a big cast and a leading banner, I also have a very glamorous look in the film.

"I was aiming for this change anyway because I feel it is important to do all kinds of cinema to establish your identity as an actor. It is the easiest thing for an artiste to be typecast in the industry and I definitely don't want to be typified as an art house character or for that matter a sex bomb.

"In fact, my next film 'Phir Zindagi' is also scheduled for release soon, in which I play a role that is poles apart from the one in 'Jurm'. The three films are visually different from each other.

"In 'Phir Zindagi', I once again play a very different role of a conservative young girl hailing from a middle-class family, who is betrayed by her fiancé and decides to commit suicide. I have a very 'behenji' kind of look in the initial portions of the film on the lines of the television character Jassi, until the character undergoes a transition from a traditional character to a very sensuous woman, who has her own individuality."

She said she is not averse to wearing revealing outfits if it suits the role. "However, I will not hesitate to refuse any role where I am portrayed as a passing reference in the film, where I will be just required to do three songs and two scenes. In the process, you end up being inconsequential to the film.

"As for item numbers, I see them as an avenue for those who want to get quick visibility and be noticed. I'd like to do an item number only when I am more established as an actress and not vice versa. I ensure that I make a judicious choice of roles and leave the rest to destiny."