«I love it when people recognise me. It gives me a real high. When I read in the papers that people in Pakistan love my smile, I was thrilled.» In spite of that smile and the fact that her debut film was a hit, there is surprisingly, no publicity blitz surrounding her. «I really don?t know why journalists don?t call me up for interviews,» she confides disarmingly. «It?s not as if I am unavailable. But I believe what?s due to me will come to me. I don?t feel the need to get myself splashed all over. There?s no point in being written about if I don?t have substantial work to back it.»

The fact that she got nominated in the Best Actress category for Tere Naam shows her she?s on the right track, she says. And missing out on the trophies hasn?t dampened her spirits. She argues, «I?m not disappointed that I didn?t win. In fact I?m happy I got nominated for my first film.»

She continues, «I haven?t got anything on a silver platter. I?ve had to work very hard for everything. Dabboo (photographer Dabboo Ratnani), who shot my first portfolio, gave me a list of model coordinators and ad agencies. I would call up every person on the list and send them my photographs. That?s how I began.»

Her persistence paid off with ad campaigns on which she slowly graduated from being one of the crowd to playing the friend of the model to being the model herself. She did well enough to bag major campaigns like Fair & Lovely soap and Pond?s face wash and cream.

Her first offer came from the South ? Nagarjuna?s production house approached her for a Telugu film. «I was wary of doing films because I didn?t know anyone in the field. My parents were sceptical too. And the initial phase was very difficult because I couldn?t understand the language. But I knew I had to give it my best. I now speak both Telugu and Tamil fluently.»

Her second Telugu film, Khushi, saw Bhumika walking away with her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. «I was thrilled when I held the trophy because it was my first ever award. It?s one of my most memorable moments for me,» she says.

And then Tere Naam happened. «I was clear that I had to do a solid role in my debut Hindi film. There was no point in doing just any film and regretting it later. I wanted the right break under the right banner. That?s why I refused some initial offers that came my way. Also, I?m not comfortable wearing revealing clothes so I had to be extra choosy. When Sunilji (Manchanda) approached me for Tere Naam, I saw the original Sethu and knew this was it. Fortunately for me, the film worked.»

Besides, she had a great relationship with co-star Salman Khan. «He?s so sweet. He has been really good to me. He?d be cracking jokes on the sets but the moment he was in front of the camera he?d be totally focused. Also, Salman?s not the kind to dominate the scene,» she gushes. We hear he used to rag you all the time on the sets, I tell her. «That was initially, she admits, but I never got distracted. I knew I had to give the film all I had. Once I got to know him, I realised that he is genuinely a goodhearted human being. Unfortunately he?s very misunderstood. I?m working with him again in Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha and he is so courteous even now. We don?t have long conversations or share our meals on the sets but I feel comfortable with him. I?ve grown fond of him.»

Another Khan she goes into raptures about is Shah Rukh. «He?s one of my favourite actors. He?s just great. I saw him at Abhishek?s Holi bash this year and I was spellbound. I?m sure he didn?t know who I am, but that?s okay,» she smiles. «Among the girls, Tabu is fantastic. We?ve met a couple of times while shooting in Hyderabad. But Madhuri Dixit is my all-time favourite.»

She dreams of being up there with those names, she confesses. No hiding behind fake clichés for Bhumika. She makes no bones about the fact that she?s here to make it big. «I?m definitely ambitious. If the name of the game is being No. 1, then I want to be No. 1. I want to do good work and be recognised in a major way. But I won?t compromise on my principles nor will I tread on other people?s toes to reach the top. My dad, an army man, has taught me that there?s no short cut to success, that it?s only hard work that can make you achieve your goals.»

What about the oomph factor? There are those who feel her not-too-glamorous image could be a limiting factor. Bhumika disagrees firmly, «Glamour will not last forever. It won?t help you reach the top. If I?m good, I?ll survive. I know my job and am a good learner. I have done different roles in the South and have not got typecast. Last year I did a film in which I played a manipulative boss and I got calls from people telling me they hated me. I took that as a compliment. It meant I had done the role well.»

On the personal front, Bhumika insists she is a loner. «I generally hang out with my cousins here in Mumbai. In the South, it?s the studios and back to my hotel room. I don?t go pub-hopping nor do I party. I have very few friends in the real sense of the word. There?s no point in calling everyone you meet a friend because when you really need someone, there?s no one. I love my own company and I don?t get bored if I have to spend time by myself. I read or watch a movie on the DVD or listen to music.»

Not surprisingly, she says there?s no man in her life either. «I?ve had my share of crushes but nothing worked out. I read somewhere that good men are either married or gay. Believe me, it?s true. There?s no love interest at this point. If I find someone really worthwhile, I might even retire. If I don?t I am not going to waste time fretting about not being in a relationship. When it has to happen, it will.» But of course, she?s betting that both love and success will be hers very soon.

Source : Filmfare-India