What is Ameesha Patel up to these days?
Doing things I’ve never done before and having a lot of fun too! All the three films I have signed, like Kunal Kohli’s yet untitled film with Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee, Neeraj Vora’s Lucky 2 with Govinda, and Sanjay Dutt’s Chatur Singh-Two Star are comedies. You can say I am on a comic roll this year…

Is Kunal Kohli’s film inspired by the classic drama Mary Poppins?
At this point of time I cannot reveal much about the film except that I play a very cute, nice and comic character that I have never played before. You will also see a revamped Ameesha Patel in the film. Manish Malhotra, Kunal Kohli and I sat down and worked on an entirely new look. Besides, I had to tone up my body immensely as I had an underwater song sequence while scuba diving.

What about Lucky 2 and Chatur Singh the other two films?
Lucky 2 is an over-the-top comedy, in which Govinda plays a prisoner and I a very young and vibrant collegian. I have never played such a loud character before in my entire career, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Govinda is a fantastic co-star and has us in splits all the time. Sanju’s film, which is directed by Ajay Chandok, is also a fun flick in which he plays a bungling cop. It’s too early to say anything more about it.

A lot of stars are signing two-three film deals with corporate houses..is there anything in the offing for you?
Well, Ashtavinayak did offer me a three -film deal recently, but I turned it down. I believe if someone wants to work with you, they can always approach you when they have a role for you. I think it is a bubble that will soon burst!

Is it true that you are miffed with Priyadarshan for giving you a raw deal in Bhool Bhulaiyaa?
Never! I could never be annoyed with Priyadarshan. Even if he asked me to do two scenes in his film I would gladly do it. Priyan and I go back five years, the first time he asked me to work with him. But despite him doing a couple of projects, things did not work out till Bhool Bhulaiyaa. We decided to work together to break the jinx! And I have no regrets.

Has your break-up with Vikram Bhatt put you off relationships and love?
No. An end to relationships does means pain and depression and something not easy to get over, but I still have faith in them. Life is full of ups and downs and the real challenge lies in moving on. I refuse to indulge in self-pity as I like a lot of positive energy around me. That is why even after my relationships have ended I have remained good friends with my ex-flames. Vikram and I are still good friends today.

It is said that you land nowin a mood to make-up with your parents.
I don’t know who is saying this because it is a personal issue and this is something I would not like to comment on now.

Very few people know that you are an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer. Are you still actively involved with the art?
I am dying to put on my ghungroos, but where is the time? My Guruji refuses to take me under his tutelage unless I can devote four hours at a stretch to my dance. It is a serious art form that needs devotion and dedication. I will definitely start practising again…but when I cannot say.

What kind of films are you looking at now?
Any part which challenges me as an actor……my personal favourites are period films as I love going back in history. That’s the reason I agreed to do Mangal Pandey despite having a very brief role. Playing a dancer in a period film would be great!

Are you keen to do television?
No! I was offered a few shows but I declined them all. Presently I am concentrating only on films.

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