Dressed in a brown and white floral off-shoulder dress, actress Ameesha Patel had the hearts racing as she entered the venue opposite the ICC Chambers on Senapati Bapat Road to inaugurate the Toolbox Animation Studio of the Seamless Education Academy. Dajikaka Gadgil of the PNG Jeweller’s, Saurabh Gadgil, vice chairman of the Seamless Academy and Kedar Nigavekar, managing director of the Academy, were present on the occasion. The institute offers courses in animation and gaming, broadcast media, jewellery and gemology. As the fans cheered and shutterbugs got hyperactive, Ameesha was glad to reply to our queries. Wishing everyone a happy Diwali, Ameesha says, “I have a special attachment with the city. My grandmother stays here and I keep coming in every 20 days to see her. This is my second home.”

We asked Ameesha about her forthcoming films. “There is Run Bhola Run and Chatursingha which is inspired by the television series Pink Panther. There are two more projects I am working on,” she informs, adding she wants to act in negative roles once in a while. Referring to her wish to act in Marathi films she laments, “Marathi film producers are afraid to approach us because of our busy schedules and date problems.”

Ask her if she would like to give voiceovers to such animation flicks, Ameesha takes no time to nod. “I would love to have those dreamy princess characters in animated flims since I am always lost in my own world,” she says.

Talking about the Academy, Ameesha hopes this will help get the “untapped talents from across India.” And by utilising the new talents, animation in India will be better than Hollywood. Surely, the actress was impressed by the Academy’s animation clip that is based on her.

- Sakaal Times