Saumya Tandon interview

Saumya Tandon might have turned heads in last year's blockbuster Jab We Met (as Roop, Kareena's sister), but she hasn't gone on a signing spree and is planning her moves carefully.

Having endeared herself to viewers as Rusty in Aisa Desh Hai Mera and a strong negative role in Meri Awaaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni on the small screen, she is jiving in Saas V/s Bahu , a reality show. She says, "As a child, I had learnt kathak. I love dancing. It's good to explore your other talents and get paid for it."

Saumya has also been a part of Maya, a critically acclaimed short film, and anchored a celebrity musical chat show called Yaadon Ki Baraat . She's also doing another film next year, where she plays a Punjabi girl again. "I am really excited as it has an excellent script," she says. By her own admission, she was a "bright student" who did her MBA from Delhi but realised soon that "corporate job wasn't meant for me. I loved performing right from my childhood and participated in debates and theatre. Acting just happened and I am pretty happy," she says. She has also done a fair bit of modelling and was the first runner-up at a Femina Cover Girl contest.

She has a mixed opinion on the television industry, "See, with so many channels coming up, work has increased. But to be honest, there is no acting happening on the small screen. Except for a few really good shows like Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai , we have the same stereotypical characters, which can be frustrating. I would love to play a character that offers something different. But I have been lucky to have worked with the likes of Kanwaljeet Singh and Kirron Kher." She describes herself as "intense, strong, sensitive and hardworking. I also read a lot and sometimes go to the sea-side and spend some quality time with myself. It's good to get away from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai sometimes."

There is a poet in her, too. She started writing when she was six years old. Meri Bhavnaayen , her first book, was nominated for the Modi Young Writer's National Award. "Writing is something I really want to get back to," she says wistfully.