Amrita's New Year in London

HitList chatted with the bubbly actress in London:

When did you decide to spend New Year's with Usman?
The London trip wasn't planned. If I hadn't gone to London, I would have gone to Goa. Even my tickets were ready; but at the last moment, I changed my mind. I decided to join Usman in London on December 29. It's our first New Year together and I wanted to spend it with him. We met on November 12, 2004.

Last year he was in Pakistan for the England-Pakistan test series and I was doing a show, so we spent it separately. Usman was trying his best to come down to India this year, so he could be with me. I was scheduled to do a show in Bangalore or Delhi but the deal fell through because we couldn't agree on some points. I am coming back to India on January 4.

How did Usman react when you told him you were coming?
He was very happy. Usman didn't want to pressure me to come to London, he was hoping in his heart for me to change my mind and come. He's someone who doesn't force or push the issue.

How did you celebrate New Year's with Usman in London this year?
We were a group of about 30 common friends, mine and we got together at Usman's friend's apartment terrace in Chelsea. It was great fun, and a home away from home. I would have spent it in a shack with Usman. When you are with people you care for, it doesn't matter where you are.

What's your idea of the most romantic date and has Usman fulfilled it?
It would be watching a nice film together with some takeaway food and chilling out at home, in pajamas. No the dream hasn't come true as yet but I am hoping it will.

Have you met his parents?
There hasn't been enough time for that. Usman is busy with his training for the pre-season of the English county cricket season. His family has their own cricketing academy in London where they train kids, so right now they are busy with that.

How did you celebrate Christmas this year?
Like every year. Every year the whole family, consisting of 40 cousins, uncles and other family members meet on Christmas day at my mother's home in Bandra and we have a huge Christmas lunch. This is one day I won't ever miss. I would refuse any show, however tempting it is, just to be there. Every family gets a huge dish. My grandmother had started this tradition and even though she is no longer with us, we continue the tradition. We all come together on this day.

And who gets the maximum gifts?
Every Christmas Arhaan (Arbaaz and Malaika's son) gets the maximum gifts. He receives 2-3 gifts every time and this time, I think he went home with 75 gifts. I, too, get pampered on Christmas Day. This time I got an I-pod speaker from Malaika, dad gave me a digital camera, Arbaazbhai gave me a laptop and mom gave me jewellery.

You next release is Fight Club. Have you shown Usman the film?
No he hasn't seen it, but I would like him to come down for the premiere on January 26. I want him to see it, as it's a family film and Usman's very fond of Sohail. In the film I play a beautiful, shy, sexy girl called Shonali Malhotra who thrives on her passion for singing and gets a break at the fight club run by Dino and Sohail.