TV star Shalini Khanna has made her film debut with "7 1/2 Phere" that also stars Juhi Chawla and Irrfan Khan.

The film, a comedy that released Friday, is also director Ishaan Trivedi's debut film. Shalini plays a writer, Kavita, in the film that is based on how the electronic media intrudes into the lives of common people.

The action takes place in a wedding home where cameras are placed. Family secrets spill out leading to a bitter-sweet chain of incidents.

Says Shalini: "I play an assistant to Juhi Chawla's character. She works for a TV channel and aims to get some spicy stories from the wedding house. It's an interesting role."

Shalini, a postgraduate in advertising and public relations from Bhopal, has worked in many TV serials.

She also featured in a 10-minute National Award-winning film "Mangli" last year.

"I began my TV career with 'Kutumb' on Sony Television," she says. Shalini also played a major role in "Karishma" on Sahara Television. She is currently acting in "Kumkum" and "Saara Akash" that air on STAR Plus. She has also worked in Gulzar's telefilm "Godaan" as Pankaj Kapur's elder daughter.

"That was quite a rewarding experience having worked with them,"" she says.

Reminiscing her shooting for "7 1/2 Phere", she says: "Juhi is like a positive bubble around you, full of life and energy. She is not the sort who would distance herself from others. She was very open to the idea of giving and taking suggestions and there are certain little things we have added in the film. She was great fun to work with.

"I don't want to sound very excited given the turmoil and circumstances Mumbai is going through right now (with the havoc wreaked by the torrential rains). A lot of sad things have happened in the past two days, I hope '7 1/2 Phere' brings a smile back to the lives of people."