by Subhash K. Jha

The new Priyadarshan Akshay Kumar comedy goes by the name of Garam Masala. But there was nothing garam about the vibes shared among the 3 wanna-queens of the film, so much so that by the time the film approached completion two of the centrespread candidates Daisy Bopanna and Neetu Chandra had stopped speaking to one another completely.

Wonder what happened to the bum-chum camaraderie that Zeenat, Shabana and Parveen Babi shared when they whooped it up together as the desi Charlies Angels in F.C. Mehra's Ashanti.

"We were no Charlies Angels. We're cast as three different kinds of girls. While Daisy plays cute, Nargis is shy. I'm the hot babe and I've been projected accordingly," says the ultra-confident Neetu Chandra.

This Bihar-born spunky sportsperson (she's a black-belt in tai-kando and has represented India internationally) doesn't deny there was tremendous tension among the trio of ladies in Garam Masala.

"But isn't it natural for three newcomers to be insecure about their position?... though I'm not really a newcomer at all."

Neetu who left her home in Bihar for Mumbai three years ago says she has been supporting herself economically since Class 12 in school. She is a veteran of numerous high-profile ads. She has also done a number of South Indian films. In fact she's currently shooting a Telugu film entitled Godavari in Rajamundhry. Her leading man is Nagarajuna's nephew (married to Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya actress Keerthy Reddy) Sumanth.

"The contrast between my roles in Garam Masala and Godavari is revealing. While I'm all about short skirts and long strides in Garam Masala in Godavari I'm a simple traditionally dressed girl, like Bhoomika Chawla in Tere Naam. Audiences will get to see me in two completely different roles within a month in November and December."

Talks are on for two films for Subhash Ghai productions, one to be directed by Ashiwini (Siskiyan) Chaudhary where she plays a Bihari girl who's afraid to open her mouth publicly for the fear of making a fool of herself.

"That's the way I was when I came to Mumbai. For a girl from Bihar to be taken seriously in Mumbai is next to impossible. Doing a number of top-notch ads boosted my confidence."

How did a single girl from Bihar keep the wolves at bay?

"I had two very protective male friends to begin with. Then my brother from our home town came to Mumbai to escort me around."

Sounds exactly like the story of Mallika Sherawat. Neetu protests.

"No no. I admire what Mallika has achieved. But I can't be as upfront as she is, though I can be very honest when I want to be. I've realized in this business you have to be hot happening...and guarded."

She ponders over her rapid rise in Bollywood.

"Mazdoori ki hai maine ek saal ke liye," she confesses. "Garam Masala gave me a chance to work with one of our best directors Priyadarshan and a hero like Akshay kumar. Akshay Sir was so supportive. He guided me throughout the film. I couldn't ask for more."