Already an accomplished singer, she is making her mark as an actress. Associated with projects down South, it's interesting to note that her first major acting break was in the Bollywood film Luck .

In a candid chat with us, she talks about life, parents and her ambitions. Question :You've acted in two Hindi movies and the responses haven't been entirely great.

Do you regret them? Answer :No, not at all. I relished working in both of them.

The experience I gained is only going to enrich me. Question :So does that mean you're open to Bollywood? Answer : Off course.

There's a misconception running around that I won't do Hindi films and stick with South Indian cinema. Question :Talking of Kollywood, do you expect your upcoming flick 3 to be as viral as its song Kolaveri Di ? Answer :I wish! Even Dhanush and (music director) Anirudh weren't anticipating such a phenomenal reception but the song deserves all the success.

As far as 3 is concerned, I can only hope audiences enjoy watching it as much as I did being a part of it. Question :How come you don't feature in any of your dad's production? Is it a conscious decision? Answer : Yes, it is.

He isn't partial to me. If I were good enough to share the screen with someone of his calibre, he would have definitely cast me.

And anyway he launched my career at the age of six! What more can I ask for? Question :Do you consult your parents before signing up for a project? Answer : Their opinion matters a lot to me. However, they encourage all my decisions.

After all, I'll be the one dedicating, say 45 days or 80 days, to the project and I need to be 100 per cent assured. Question :Is it an advantage or a disadvantage to have both parents as actors? Answer : Well, I won't call them actors.

They are artistes. To them, the very art form is supreme.

I was lucky to grow up in a very artistic home where music played throughout the day and even a child's drawing was encouraged. Question :What about your singing? Answer :I can't compare the two as both are very different.

I'm just happy that I get to channel my talent, be it in playback singing or in front of the camera. I'm a trained singer but not a trained actor so obviously, I'll take time to find my footing.

Question :You're pretty active on Twitter and interact a lot with your fans..

. Answer : Many complain that I tweet a lot on food.

Frankly speaking, it's wonderful to interact with folks who not only love you but also provide constructive criticism. It'd be almost impossible to get in touch with them otherwise.

Question :Are you single? Answer : I'm boringly single. Tweet (less)

The 31-year-old shared her side of the story in a talk about "How Does a Heroine Become the Hero?" at the India Today Conclave 2012 here Friday. "I was in Los Angeles sometime back when I got to know that Salt was actually written for Tom Cruise.

And Angelina Jolie was actually the second choice, it wasn't Brad Pitt or anyone else. In India, there's no such choice.

"It's always between three or four Khans or other male actors. I guess female actors are there for just dancing with them.

We have to stand behind Shah Rukh and Salman (Khan) and say, 'Hey! I'm here too, give me something to do.' And the paychecks.

..

what Salman gets and what I get..

. let's not even get there," said Kareena.

She is said to be the highest earning female star in Bollywood, and reportedly demanded Rs.8 crore for Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine .

But Kareena still doesn't consider herself a hero among all heroines. "I don't think I'm a hero because all the films like 3 Idiots , RA.

One and Bodyguard that made Rs.100 crore-Rs.

150 crore, their producers and all the three Khans took home their money. What am I left with? Chhammak challo ? "I don't get a pay cheque as much as them.

I am not on the same platform as them. But I am going to fight for it, and hopefully one day we will get there.

But I do believe that god has been kind. Somewhere my hard work has been recognised, and I am also glad that there's been a stellar performance by Vidya Balan and she proved to be the hero of 2011 (with The Dirty Picture )," she added.

The year awaits a power-packed performance by Kareena in Heroine and she says: "I am giving it my very best." "And for a change it is fun not standing behind or beside Shah Rukh or Salman," she quipped.

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Because I don't know when the directors and producers are ready to make an announcement. But there are three films whose script I have okayed.

I am meeting two more directors, I am okaying those scripts as well," Manisha told reporters here last night. "This year I will be working (on these films), so next year would be a kind of comeback," she said.

The 42-year-old Nepali-Indian actress made her acting debut in Bollywood with Subhash Ghai's Saudagar (1991), which was a huge hit. After years of success, she was later seen in several low-budget films like Paisa Vasool (2004), Sirf (2008) and a few others, which were box office dud.

Recently, it was reported that Madhur Bhandarkar's much-awaited film Heroine is inspired by Manisha's life. Bhandarkar has, however, denied such reports.

When asked Manisha about the same, she said, "I hope he knows me well to make a movie on me." Manisha was here to see filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's blockbuster Parinda (1989).

"He is one of the finest directors we have today. I was fortunate to work with him in 1942: A love Story ," the award-winning actress said.

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Because I don't know when the directors and producers are ready to make an announcement. But there are three films whose script I have okayed.

I am meeting two more directors, I am okaying those scripts as well," Manisha told reporters here last night. "This year I will be working (on these films), so next year would be a kind of comeback," she said.

The 42-year-old Nepali-Indian actress made her acting debut in Bollywood with Subhash Ghai's Saudagar (1991), which was a huge hit. After years of success, she was later seen in several low-budget films like Paisa Vasool (2004), Sirf (2008) and a few others, which were box office dud.

Recently, it was reported that Madhur Bhandarkar's much-awaited film Heroine is inspired by Manisha's life. Bhandarkar has, however, denied such reports.

When asked Manisha about the same, she said, "I hope he knows me well to make a movie on me." Manisha was here to see filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's blockbuster Parinda (1989).

"He is one of the finest directors we have today. I was fortunate to work with him in 1942: A love Story ," the award-winning actress said.

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The museum, located at the paragon shopping mall is a popular tourist spot as well local haunt. The four stars joined the wax statue of megastar Amitabh Bachchan which was installed last year.

"These five stars and their movies have played a significant role in popularising Bollywood across geographical boundaries," Wadhwa said after unveiling the wax images. "I am delighted that wax figures of five of the most prominent Bollywood stars is part of this celebrity month of love here," he added as Hindi film songs played in the background.

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