PAYAL ROHATGI DOESN'T WANT TO GET TYPECAST, SO SHE'S CHANGING HER IMAGE FROM A SEXY GAL TO GLAMOROUS BELLE: WHATEVER THAT MAY MEAN

Actor Payal Rohtagi of Corporate and Dhol fame is working hard to get an image makeover. Also, she has no qualms in accepting that things did go wrong in the past as her earlier films Tauba Tauba and Fun -- can be dangerous were branded as sleaze flicks.

"Yes, I was typecasted. But I am going through an image transformation now. It has taken about three years to get out of my previous image," avers Payal adding that she is moving ahead in her career.

She maintains that the process of transition hasn't been easy. "But, it's my struggle and I am fine with it," she says adding that she had an inkling that something was going wrong in her career.

"I had to face the consequences as nobody forced me into it. It was my decision. But I am happy I made those mistakes so early in her career. What if I had worked with Shah Rukh Khan and then goofed up!" quips the computer engineer-turned-actor adding that the mistakes have made her a mature person.

"I do not come from the industry. But I have realised that it's very important to work with senior directors and good production houses. It makes a lot of difference. Like in Dhol, I have a glamorous introduction, but it's not cheap but beautiful," she shares.

In the Priyadarshan directed film, she plays a a club singer opposite Arbaaz Khan. "It's a good role and has added to my growth as an actor," she avers.

How was the experience of working with the much acclaimed director? "It was great. He's one director I worship right now," exclaims the model who featured with cricketer Virender Sehwag in an ad campaign.

"The role has turned out exactly what he had told me. I am thankful to him for that," adds the actor. Some of her earlier films including Subhash Ghai's 36 China Town which was directed by Abbas-Mustan and Madhur Bhandarkar's Corporate were reasonably successful at the box-office. But she hasn't signed any more films as of now.

"Talks are on some films, but I'll finalise only after seeing the results of Dhol," she says adding that she has great expectation from the film.

So what's her ambition as an actor? "Dhol has me in the second lead. But I wish to upgrade to playing lead roles and want to be in the league of respected actors of the industry.

"At one point of time, I would like to shoulder a film on myself. I am putting my best efforts towards it," says Payal.

"I won't say that I dream of playing etched characters like Meena Kumari's in Pakeezah. Though I have seen the film 20 times but you can't compete with something as classic as that. So my focus is on doing some good work with good directors where I can grow as an actor," she concludes.

BOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS EMERGER FROM THEIR SHADOWS, FACE THE CAMERA!!

Gone are the days when directors remained only behind the camera and hence remained popular still faceless. Now as Bollywood directors increasingly face the camera and even the crowds themselves, they are having their share of 'stardom' that once exclusively belonged only to celebrated actors.

Karan Johar, front runner of the trend, hosts India's popular chat show Koffee with Karan besides endorsing a range of products: From a watch brand, to an achievers awards to a computer brand. Then you have Kunal Kohli and Madhur Bhandarkar who faced the camera as celebrity judge in popular telly shows Nach Baliye and second editon of Zee's Cine Star Ki Khoj respectively.

Mahesh Manjrekar went a step ahead and participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa as a celebrity contestant and earned appreciation for his gyrating act.

Mahesh Bhatt, who might have retired as director but remains the 'star' promoter of all his films. Subhash Ghai himself promoted the mobile-filmmaking competition held in tandem with his film institute Whistling Wood International and mobile giant Nokia.

Though filmmakers maintain that directors were always very popular but accept that their popularity has grown in a way that people can put a face to their names now, due to their increase visibility.

"It's a good phenomenon and is here to stay," exclaims Madhur Bhandarkar, adding, "People today want to know about the directors also. And thanks to the media boom, these days there's is a direct interface between the directors and his audience."

Amrita Rao has a blast in Goa

Mahesh Babu is on a new high after the success of Pokiri. And he deserves every ounce of it. Producers are queuing up in front of his house for his call sheets, directors are tightening their scripts to impress him, and heroines are sending feelers in a desperate attempt to catch his fancy. But this time he has decided to opt for the cute Bollywood babe Amrita Rao for his new film Atidhi. Predictably, the spotlight in Tollywood is on Ms Rao, whether the likes of Illeana like it or not. Every titbit of news about her is lapped up with glee by Mahesh's fans, not to talk of the others. The latest we hear about her is that she is shooting for an ad in Goa and having a ball. Normally one to keep away from the fun and frolic gang of boisterous Bollywood hunks, this time she claims she was so exhausted from her tight schedule that she had to break her vow. And so she had a ball of a time, she tells us.

By the way did you know that Ms Rao was a model before making her forays into Bollywood? And a successful one at that too. She did more than 35 ads, the most popular of which is the Bru ad, where she stutters in front of her father to tell him about her boyfriend Sagar.

Bollywood came calling when Subhash Ghai noticed her in the same coffee ad and offered her a minor role in Bhagat Singh. Later, she got meatier roles in Ab Ke Baras (2002), Ishq Vishq (2003), Masti, Main Hoon Na, Deewaar, (all in 2004. Though her later releases -- Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi (2005), Shikhar (2005), and Pyare Mohan (2006) -- turned turtle at the box office, her Vivah (2006) was a stupendous success earning her fame worldwide. She managed a nurture a cutesie image with her roles especially Ishq Vishq, Main Hoon Naan and the latest Vivah, that she has become the epitome of the girl next door character. Presently she is basking in the glory of her stardom and that was when Atidhi happened. Will she cast a spell in the south as well?