It was important to walk away fromthatrelationship

• After losing weight, why are you not seen in Western outfits?

I didn't lose weight to wear suggestive outfits. I lost weight to feel better about myself. I enjoy wearing Indian clothes.

• Don't you therefore stand to lose roles? You have kissed in Ishqiya, you did a lovemaking scene in Heyy Baby, so why say no to 'suggestive' attire?

I will wear what is required. But you know, suggestive outfits tantamount to skin show and take away the meat from the character. I want the meat, not the bone.

• Have you always avoided daring outfits? Even in your teens, college etc?

Yes. My friends wore what collegians mostly wear. But I didn't join them. I stood alone, but I was happy. I do wear skirts, but not very short ones. And I don't wear shorts, not even at home.

• Back to your weight loss. Did the caustic comments about your weight finally get to you?

I won't say that I was immune to them. But you see, I was going through a lot of confusion in my head on a lot of fronts. I started taking a few things for granted. I became complacent. And I lost interest. Till Kismet Connection, everything was going well for me and then suddenly…

• That was when your friendship with Shahid Kapoor went haywire?

I don't see the connection.

• Connection with a 'K', eh! Okay, what triggered off the need to lose weight?

Well, my mom sat me down and told me that I needed to feel good about myself. I think that I was trying to be someone else. I was desperately trying to fit into a certain mould (pauses)

• Go on...

(Looks up at the ceiling) It was not about my weight and clothes. Those caustic comments were coming because I looked unhappy. I was exuding a certain amount of unhappiness.

• Why were you unhappy?

You know what...

• What?

If someone who matters to you talks you down, it can break you. That someone whose approval mattered to me started to constantly find faults with me. It started reflecting on me. At that point of time, it was important to walk away from that relationship. I don't want to take his name.

• Hmmm... I get it. Shahid doesn't want to work with you now.

(Interrupts) Did I say that that I want to work with him? (pauses)

• Continue…

If someone doesn't want to work with me, so be it. It's his loss completely. There are other fish in the sea.

• Your friendship with fashion designer Shabina Khan has gone sour. Once upon a time, she was your best friend.

One tends to spend a lot of time with people one works with. My best friends have been people I have grown up with.

• She isn't too fond of you now.

I don't bother about how people feel about me. What matters to me is how I feel about them.

• How do you feel about Shabina?

Just like I feel about any other professional acquaintance.

• Parting shot?

Even today, I am standing alone, but I am happy again. That's all that is important to me (runs her hand through her hair and smiles)

• Did I say that I wanted to work with him [Shahid]?