I'm the surprise package- Ameesha

Ameesha Patel has every right to be pleased. The actress who began her film career in 2000 with super hits Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai and Gadar, has brought herself plenty of commercial success but it's the critical acclaim that has evaded her. Will Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic cast a magical spell on her career? A round with Ameesha Patel.

With Saif giving Thoda Pyaar, Rani giving Thoda Magic, what Thoda will you be throwing in the film?

I will be throwing a bit of Pyaar and Magic both because you need someone to handle both pretty well.

How was your first ever experience of working with Yash Raj Films?

This is my first with Yash Raj Films. I was on cloud nine when I got a call to work for this film and I was also excited to work with Kunal Kohli for the first time. But more than anything else, it was my role which impressed me the most because it was a challenging and a qualitative role. It's a character which the audiences will least expect me to play.

Are you paired opposite Saif in the film because an angel like Rani cannot fall in love?

I cannot tell you that. You will have to see the film to find out your answer.

What about the promos? Is it a deliberate attempt not to be showing you in the earlier promos of the film?

We had kept my clippings nearing the release for the simple reason that the less exposure my character (Mallaika) gets, the better for the film, because I am the surprise package of the film and the team did not want the charm to fade away. But I'm sure the curiosity factor will always remain to see why Ameesha isn't shown in the promos.

The music of the film suffered quite a bit because of the IPL matches. And even after that, it isn't performing as expected. Any idea why?

I don't know what information you have but the first two days of the release of the music, it was sold out. I personally love the music of the film and there is a special reason for it too. I loved the song I shot under water called Lazy Lamhe. It's a fabulous song for which I had to learn scuba diving lessons. It's the first song in the history of Indian cinema to be lip synced under water and it was very difficult to sing too. It took fifteen days for that song to be finished. So it was like an achievement for us.

We have seen your association with children right from your first film. How was the experience with them now?

I did interact with kids in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. It was a pleasurable experience because they were so disciplined and well behaved and really good actors.

Why aren't we seeing much of Ameesha Patel these days?

Because I've chosen to work only on TPTM after Bhool Bhulaiyaa and now as I've finished with this film, I am working on two other projects - Chatur Singh Two Star with Sanjay Dutt and Do Lucky with Tusshar Kapoor. I want to do less but concentrated work, so I can really give my everything to the role.