Salman made me hit the gym everyday: Sonakshi Sinha

New Delhi: She lost 30 kgs to fit into her role in `Dabangg` opposite Salman Khan and debutante Sonakshi Sinha says that the superstar made sure she maintained her figure by sweating it out everyday.

"It was tough losing those 30 kgs. I worked out and also followed a strict diet. Salman helped a lot, he made sure that I went to the gym after everyday`s shoot and not get lethargic about it," said Sonakshi. `Dabangg` is due on September 10 and Sonakshi, daughter of Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha, has all her focus on the release as she has not signed any other project yet. The 23-year-old actress says she is very choosy about films. "I am taking it slow and not signing every film coming my way. I am very choosy about films and I want to do some good work. I am not signing anything till `Dabangg` releases, it`s a conscious decision. I am meeting a lot of people, but I will decide only after the film releases," Sonakshi told reporters. This is her first turn as an actress in Bollywood and Sonakshi already has her do`s and dont`s in place. The dusky beauty says she is not open to the idea of doing an item number. "I am not open to doing item numbers. I am a very shy person, I cannot be so bold," said Sonakshi. But the actress was all praise for Malaika Arora Khan for her moves in `Dabangg`s raunchy item number, `Munni Badnam`. "I don`t think I could have done `Munni Badnam`. Malaika is fabulous at what she does. I am happy with what I am doing," said the actress. The Abhinav Kashyap directed film has Sonakshi playing a rustic small town girl from UP dressed in `lehenga cholis` and sarees. Didn`t she think of making a more glamourous debut? "I would have gone for a glamourous debut, but then again you cannot really predict what will work and what will not. I think I made a good decision taking up this film," said the actress. Being a newcomer in the industry, Sonakshi says she is guided by her father who always shares "tips and tricks" with her. She also idolises yesteryear`s superstar Hema Malini. "Hema aunty is an inspiration, I have grown up watching her films and want to be like her," she said. She is one of the many star-kids who have stepped in to Bollywood and Sonakshi is well aware of the pros and cons of being one. "It is easy for some and it is not for the others. Since our parents have been in the industry for such a long time, it is easier to make contacts and filmmakers are more accessible. "But it also has its downside, people expect a lot from you. For me it`s been a very beautiful journey so far, but no journey is complete without its ups and downs," said Sonakshi. Amongst her contemporaries, Sonakshi is particularly fond of Ranbir and Sonam Kapoor. "I liked Ranbir a lot in his first film. He left an impression. Even in `Raajneeti` he was remarkable. Among actresses Sonam is good, the two of us grew up together. She is doing very well for herself," said Sonakshi. PTI