The time has come to play Grey: Dia Mirza

From doing an item number in 'Phir Hera Pheri' to playing a psychologist in 'Alag', the sizzling Dia Mirza is on a roll... She has signed five films in the past one month. TWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani chats up the beautiful actor.

Q: Your item number in 'Phir Hera Pheri' was the talk of the town. How did it happen?
A: I got a call from Firoz Nadiadwala. He told me that he wanted me to do an item number which would be the introductory song. I was told to listen to it before I gave my nod of consent. I was bowled over when I heard it.

Q: Which films are you looking forward to?
A: I have recently signed a film with Anant Mahadevan which will be produced by T Series. I am also entering the regional arena with a Bengali film produced by Raja Mukerji (Rani's brother).

I am quite excited about that. My mother is a Bengali and I know the language, so it will be fun. Besides, there is 'Munnabhai 2nd Innings', "Honeymoon Tours And Travels Pvt Ltd" and "Cash".

Q: Apart from Anant's film, you have signed four more films in the past one month?
A: Well, I have, I thought that I'll keep under wraps but anyway. I have signed three films with White Feathers. I always wanted to work with Sanjay Gupta. I think that I am made for his kind of cinema, rather than the love stories.

He has real hard hitting lines in his films. I am doing his 'Dus Kahaniyan', 'Shoot out at Lokhandwala' and 'Alibag'. Then, I am doing Shyam Bajaj's 'Jai Veeru' opposite Fardeen Khan and Kunal Khemu.

Q: Did Sanjay Gupta's three films happen in one go?
A: Almost. I was offered first 'Dus Kahaniyan'. Before we started, he offered me 'Alibag'. Sanjayji perhaps realised that he likes my way of working.

Q: Has the 'Hera Pheri' item number helped you?
A: I wouldn't put it that way. Things happen at the right time. I think that the film-makers have finally realised that I am hard-working girl and one of the better performers.

Q: Which film did the trick then?
A: I think people started noticing me from 'Tehzeeb'. Parineeta cemented it.

Q: What is your role in 'Munnabhai 2nd Innings'?
A: I have been strictly told not to reveal it. Can't reveal that now. All I will say is: The script is brilliant and if you have liked the prequel, you will go crazy, err, berserk about the sequel.

Q: Tell us something about the multi-starrer 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd'?
A: It was a fine experience. The nice part about today's cinema is that it is evolving. Writers are coming up with original script and Reema Kagti has done a very good job. The characters are realistic and there is right amount of emotion. I think I have played too many white characters. The time has come to play grey.

Q: So, there were no hassles despite so many stars (Raima, Sandhya, Minishaa)?
A: Not at all. Everything was meticulously planned. We knew well in advance, where we will be shooting, what the scene will be and our dialogue.

This is the second time after 'Parineeta' that I am working in such a meticulously planned unit.

Q: Won't you get lost in the crowd in such a film?
A: No. We all have equal and substantial roles.

Q: You seem to share a great equation with Shabana Azmi?
A: I respect her beyond anything. She is one of the people I am in awe of. I know her since the days of 'Tehzeeb'.

Q: You were the only actor to support Aamir Khan when he talked about rehabilitating those displaced by Nardama dam project?
A: My support to Aamir became a sensitive issue. Let's not get into it all over again.