Article:Pooja ghai--we just work together

F or the other woman in Jeete Hain Jiske Liye, producers Deeya and Tony Singh needed an actress with a cheer- ful face. They approached Pooja Ghai (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhie Bahu Thi, Siddhant, Viraasat) to play the role of Avni Dhanrajgir. She says, "They told me that it was just a cameo but the role was interesting." She plays a woman from the Aman Dhanrajgir's (Ayub Khan) past. Years later, Avni, is married to Aman's younger, estranged brother, Ashmit (Vishal Singh). Her sole aim is to settle scores with Aman and get him back into her life. But she gets killed after a confrontation with Aman and Anjali. Avnicouldhavebeenthestereo- typical TV vamp, with heavily kohled eyes, a perpetually arched eyebrow and a hideous wardrobe. But Ghai portrays her as a classy , sexy and cheeky woman. She says, "Fortunately for me, we all agreed on not making Avni look like a typical vamp. But then it was all the more difficult play- ing a negative role because my face is very soft and positive. "I didn't want to wear loud clothes or garish make-up to be negative. I guess, after the feed- back I've received, it's all paid off." Was it awkward enacting inti- mate moments with Khan? "Not really In fact, he would help me . to portray Avni better." Why is she no a longer part of Ravi Chopra's Viraasat? "There were some date issues. I also needed time for my production house," she says. She has set up White Leaf Entertainment with her friend and partner Vikas Kalantri. Saying that she was always interest- ed in life behind the cam- era, she com- ments, "I have it in to me handle the nitty- gritty of production. Vikas is good in marketing." Ask her about the reports of the two being in love and she insists, "We are friends. The media has been speculating about our relationship ever since we've been working together. There isn't more to it."