The 'Sardarni' in Singh Is Kinng...

So what's the first thing that comes to your mind when we say NEHA DHUPIA. Chances are that more than 80 per cent of you thought of Julie irrespective of the fact whether you've watched the movie. And for the remaining 20 per cent it would have been the second thought. The first being 'unpublishable' on a portal that does not support adult content…like this one.

And guess what, the actress is back to playing Julie again. And this time with Akshay Kumar. Well, don't get your hopes too high…Julie is just the name of her character in her forthcoming film Singh Is Kinng. Suggested by the actress herself (for comic effect according to her) the name of her character was effectively changed from Rosy to Julie for this Anees Bazmee film. Will the change have any effect on the masses or will the film have any effect on Neha's career however remains to be seen.

We had a chat with Neha prior to the release of her big film in an interview that started almost two hours after the scheduled time. And here's what she had to say…

Tell us more about your character Julie in the film

Well, Julie is a dreamer. She aspires to be a Bollywood actress and thinks that being a part of a Punjabi gang will pave her way to filmdom.

So was it tough being Julie again? Since the audience relate Neha Dhupia and Julie with something completely different...

It is a challenge to take on the same name and do it differently…And make it work.

Are you a villain/vamp in the film?

I am a part of a gang. They obviously do bad things in the beginning. But eventually they become good people.

Would you rather be a glam doll or a vamp?

It depends. On the kind of role and everything.

...By this time almost two minutes were up. So obviously, her two make up and hair people rushed forth to fluff up her hair. She thought it was looking rather flat. And also refixed her lashes. Don't get scared people, it was not a biology lab we were having the interview in. The makeup man simply re-glued the synthetic eye lashes. The real ones were somewhere underneath...

Continuing with our tete-a-tete…

Since you had once been a TV actress and now with so many big actors turning to TV…do you have any plans as such of going back?

I have no plans on TV yet. I have many projects. Apart from which I don’t think I can handle a 7 day week…and work 24X7. I would rather be on the big screen.

So since you're the vamp in Singh Is Kinng…do you also cause trouble between Akki-Kat?

Well, (smiles) when there's two women together, a little trouble is expected. (Follows it up quickly with…) Not personally…simple on screen.

Most of your films have a very dark tone to your character. The women are generally troubled or tormented…Why so? Do you identify better with such characters?

Well, I never saw it that way. I think playing a troubled role was more of a challenge and also hope that the audience would accept me as a better actor for those.

Moving back to Singh Is Kinng…what are the best moments?

I did some action sequences…like hopping out of the limousine. It was great. It was fun hanging out with the boys as well.

Why is there no real sardar in the cast of Singh Is Kinng?

I am a sardar. I am a sardarni. Though I don't wear a turban. There's more to being a sardar than just wearing a turban.

So how do you think Akki looks with the headgear?

I have grown up with men in turbans around me. I think Akki is the best looking sardar I have seen till date.

What do you think looks better…Akki with beard or Akki without beard?

It depends…

On WHAT?

Whether he's wearing a turban to go with the beard

Ok. There's this song with Akki-Kat that's on the lines of SRK-Kajol's Sooraj from K3G song they say. Who do you think looks hotter in a sari - Katrina, Kajol or Neha Dhupia?

Well, I think it's Kajol

You have to answer these real fast…

Films or Beauty Pageant?

Films

To you Size Zero is…

A number

Julie was a…

Great film

(We had to stop for a minute after this one. Just to make sure we don't laugh.)

Your favourite sport…

(Neha smiles. With her hair being combed simultaneously to add the bounce.) Can I name two?

Ok. But in the order of your liking it…

(Smiles again. WOW. Even if we did not know she was dating a squash player, we would know that NOW.)

Ok. First tennis. And then Squash. (smiles yet again)

If not films then?

Sports. (Ok. We now stop smiling)

So, Neha, finally, what are your upcoming projects?

There's Maharathi right after Singh Is Kinng. Then there's I Am 24 (where she has the cabaret sequence), Raat Gayi Baat Gayi, Paying Guest and an yet untitled film with Emraan Hashmi for Percept Picture Company.

Thanks a ton, Neha. And all the best for Singh Is Kinng.