Her first film 'Ssshh..' bit the dust, but she is fighting back. She has lost oodles of weight. Meet Tanuja's daughter and Kajol's younger sister Tanisha, whose second film Neal N' Nikki released last week. TWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani chats up the comeback girl.

Q: Your start in Bollywood was not too great?
A: Few know this but the first film I was offered was Shekhar Kapur's 'Tara Rum Pum Pum'. But somehow things did not take off then. I guess, whatever happens, happens for the best. I was 16 then. I wonder if I would have been able to cope with the pressures of this demanding profession.

My career was to launch with Ajit Pal's 'Jaane Kaise Kab Kahan' opposite Karan Nath. The film got scrapped due to financial problems. I know there were a lot of controversies surrounding my debut. Some maintained that Rajshri's film would be my first film but as I said whatever happens, happens for the best.

Q: But did you always want to become an actress?
A: Ever since I remember I always wanted to be an actress. The arc lights, the camera and all those things associated with the film world fascinated me. Although at one time I wanted to be a nun! My ambition grew three fold when my sister Kajol began getting wonderful roles written just for her.

Q: What is Neal 'N' Nikki all about?
A: There was a lot of naughtiness in the film. Neil wants to have lots of action before he gets married. So in 21 days, he wants to meet 21 women, and is helped in his efforts by Nikki. He's taking a moral vacation before his wedding, so you can expect tremendous fun and naughtiness!

Q: There are 21 kisses in the film?
A: I haven't counted the kisses, but as far as I know, there are just two kisses in the film. I don't know what the big hoo-ha about the kissing scenes is! Neil 'N' Nikki is a naughty fun film, and the kissing scenes are an important part of the script. I knew Uday, and the fact that he didn't have bad breath helped - so I was quite cool and comfortable doing it.

Q: How do you assess your performance in Neal 'N' Nikki?
A: The audience will soon find out. It's for them to judge whether I have the ability to act or not. My mom tells me, ever since I was a kid, I have been trying out her wigs and wanting to be an actress. I think I can act.

Q: Does Kajol advice you?
A: Kads is always there for me. I often talk to Kads about the film that I have been offered. She always tells me that if you think that the story is good and your role has potential then I should just go ahead and do the film.

Q: If you could work in one of Kajol's films which role would you pick?
A: All of them! But of all the roles that she has done till date, the one that she played in 'Gupt' remains my favourite. I hope to do a role like this once in my career. I was so kicked by her character in Gupt.

Q: Your first crush?
A: He was a very handsome guy, my mom's friend's son. I was in standard two and found him very cool. My older cousin and I would swoon over him every time we met him. I even confessed to him but he was much older, so nothing happened.