I have to prove myself: Tanushree

It's not easy to shed tags in Bollywood. Especially those who are associated with 'bold films' and are called 'sex symbols'.

Ask Jamshedpur girl and Femina Miss India Universe 2004 Tanushree Dutta who has been struggling to break free of the 'sexy' girl mode (one that came to her with her debut, Aashiq Banaya Apne).

In fact she admits that newcomers like her, even ones who come with a beauty crown, can't dictate terms to filmmakers. Her cosy love scenes in her earlier films might have been a bit too "steamy" but she claims that she hasn't really been pulled "down or critcised for doing them.When an established actor does those kind of scenes she can sometimes get away with it, but a newcomer will always be questioned and people will keep talking about her. I don't want to do skin shows any more. It's not easy explaining things to your family. I want to definitely think before I do a bold film. I can't face my parents' disapproval and unhappiness again."

As if to prove a point, she has done some serious kick-the-butt stuff in her first international action-packed children's film Rama the Saviour, where she even trained for some special action scenes. Having done boxing while air borne, jumping from high altitudes, underwater stunts, the petite actor is feeling very proud of herself. "I didn't want to be this one-dimensional girl who sings songs wearing a long shirt.I am not saying that I don't like running around trees, but I'd like to do different things. I am a major Charlie's Angels and Lara Croft fan, so this role impressed me."

And true to Bollywood stereotype, Tanushree doesn't enjoy working with female co-actors. Not because she is afraid of competition, but because she doesn't "share a comfort level." Single and footloose for now (her break-up with director Aditya Dutt is too painful to even talk about), Tanushree has no intentions of "finding someone. I have to prove myself as an actor and that's my priority. I have just taken baby steps in the film world and I have learnt that you have to let your work speak for yourself. Only once you've been able to win trust in the film industry can you expect the best to happen."

A peace-loving person by nature, Tanushree is "passionate" about her work and "aggressive" enough to find a place for herself in the film industry. What keeps her going, is an active social life with friends, cooking exotic cuisines, reading books and partying.

She sure knows how to live life to the fullest, even beyond 35 mm.