NISHA KOTHARI IS BOWLED OVER BY TOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS' PROFESSIONALISM, ANY TAKERS?

ON HER FORAYS INTO TOLLYWOOD:
I am currently working opposite Balakrishna in Okka Mogadu. It's been a fantastic experience. I am awe struck by the colour and vibrancy of Telugu cinema. The people are very cordial and thorough professionals. I would love to work again provided the opportunity.

ON HER SEX SYMBOL IMAGE:
It's very flattering and embarrassing at the same time. I don't think I am sexy at all. I am a very conservative person at heart. But it's some thing that comes with a job and I have not done anything that's vulgar. But I do not want to be typecast and want to try out different roles and grow as an actress.

ON HER ENTRY INTO FILMS:
I had actually made my debut as Amoga in a Tamil film Jay Jay opposite Madhavan in 2003. I had left my portfolio at Ramuji's office and to my surprise I got a call for an audition and I was offered a role in Sarkar. All of a sudden I was rubbing shoulders with stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, Ajay Devagan. It's been a great learning experience so far but I still have miles to go.

ON BASANTI VS GHUNGROO:
It would be unfair to compare me with a legend like Hema Malini. My character has no shades of Basanti. Ghungroo is a city girl who is in stark contrast with the village bred Basanti. She is a tomboy who smokes bidis (imitating her favourite actor- Rajnikanth), is fearless and speaks a tapori lingo. I had to work very hard on my body language and expression, as she wears a new expression in every scene. Now it's up to the audience to decide.

ON HER IDEAL MAN:
I'd rather wait for him to turn up for the element of surprise.

NISHA KOTHARI UNPLUGGED: I REVEAL BECAUSE I LOOK SEXY IN A SHORT SKIRT OR HOT PANTS

ON HER PROPENSITY TO SHED CLOTHES ON SCREEN
I have a beautiful body and can carry any outfit with grace. If I reveal or do intimate scenes that's only because I am convinced the role needs it. The director has to convince me that the scene is required, and I know that I look sexy and not vulgar donning a short skirt or hot pants.


ON HER CHARACTER GHUNGROO IN RAMGOPAL VARMA KI AAG
It's a very peppy character. She is a tapori who puffs beedi (hopelessly imitating her favourite actor Rajnikanth), drives an autorickshaw (called Laila) and looks after her parents. People are bound to compare this character with Basanti played by Hemaji in Sholay, but though both have the same flavour -- they are entirely different in attitude, and have been treated differently. I am sure people will love me and my character.


ON WORKING WITH SUSHMITA SEN, AJAY DEVGAN, AND EMRAAN HASHMI
There was a time when I would dream of working with these stars and today I am sharing the screen space with them. It is like a dream come true. The best part is that these senior actors make the newcomer feel so comfortable on the sets that you feel you have been working for ages with them.


ON HER LOVE FOR DANCE
You just have to put on the music and I can break into a jig. I love to dance and sometimes when I am feeling low, I put on soft music and dance


ON WHAT SHE LOVES TO DO GENERALLY
I either play video games, work out or catch up with my sleep. I don't party at all. I am a traditional person and like to maintain a low profile. I have a long way to go and I am concentrating only on my work.

THE MUSICAL CHAIRS IN TOLLYWOOD: WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT

* The sexy Mandira Bedi is finally not doing John Appa Rao 40 Plus, and it is reported that she has been replaced by the gorgeous Simran. For those who don't know, Krishna Bhagwan is the hero of the film.

* Suhani is out of Bapu's new film, and her place has been taken by Charmi.

* Looks like Nitin is finding it tough to get a Bollywood heroine. For Nisha Kothari seems to have opted out of the film, and Suhani has stepped into her shoes.

A PICUTE IS WORTH A THOUSAND OOOOHS! AND AAAAAHS! AND WHEN IT IS NISHA, YOU CAN'T STOP OOOOOHING AND AAAAAHING!!

Nitin is slowly recovering lost ground

Nitin, who has been struggling to survive in the Telugu film industry, is managing to get some films. Just a couple of weeks ago, he has signed a film opposite Nisha Kothari, the sexy siren who dared and bared all in a couple of Ramgopal Varma films in Bollywood. Not that the mentor has dumped her, she has turned southwards. And one of her first films in Tollywood is with Nitin. This has not only given a breather to Nisha, but also to Nitin as well. Similarly, Nitin has bagged another film which will be directed by Ravi C Kumar, who has earlier made a film with down-to-earth title, Saamanyudu. Venkat is the producer of the film. Let's hope this new film will revive Nitin's sagging career.