Sushma posing a threat to sister Sameera?

Director Mahesh Manjrekar has signed Sushma for his next project, "Big Bazaar", reports Bollywood Trade.

"I have a pivotal role in the ensemble cast of the film. When Mahesh narrated it to me I was absolutely zapped. It reminded me of his dark and brooding gangster flicks," says Sushma.

Sangeeta Ahir, who produced the Sanjay Dutt starrer "Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi", is producing "Big Bazaar" that tackles the underbelly of Mumbai and the problems faced by mill workers.

Besides Manjrekar's film this model-turned-actress, who made her acting debut with the not-so-happening "Chocolate" opposite Anil Kapoor, has bagged another prestigious project.

Sushma has been confirmed to play the female lead in Punit Issar's next film, which is being planned on a big scale and is scheduled to take off later this year.

"The film with Punit Issar has all the trappings of a big film. I have very interesting roles in both the films that I have recently signed, but I am not in a position to talk about them right now."

She is now looking forward to the release of "Chup Chupke", where she has teamed up with Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur.

"It is a dark, romantic comedy with a love triangle between me, Kareena and Shahid," she says, adding that she singed the film when "Chocolate" was under way.

"In fact, I had to take a day off from the shooting of the film to attend the premier of 'Chocolate'."

Sushma is particularly excited about her look in "Chup Chupke", which she claims is a far cry from what she looked in "Chocolate".

"The audiences, which has seen my zany look in 'Chocolate', will be in for a big surprise. I have a simple poker-faced village girl look in the film.

"In fact, some of Sameera's friends, who saw the recently released trailers on the satellite media, failed to recognise me."

However, Sushma is in no hurry to take on more projects and admits it is a very deliberate strategy she has adopted.

"I am making a concerted effort to carefully choose and pick roles because I am aware of the dangers of getting trapped in a particular slot.

"Post 'Chocolate', I did get some very interesting offers. I refused them for good, since they proved to be eventual duds at the box-office. I am glad that I did not get carried away by the numbers game at that time."