I`m not bold enough for item numbers: Sonakshi Sinha

New Delhi: Shatrughan Sinha`s daughter Sonakshi`s launchpad `Dabangg` has one of the raunchiest item numbers, but she isn`t a part of it. Ask her if she ever wanted to be in Malaika Arora Khan`s shoes for the song, the shy debutante says a clear no.

"No I never wanted to be in the song. It`s because I am a shy person. I can`t be so bold and daring and I think Malaika is fabulous in the song (`Munni badnaam`) and at what she does. But that`s not me...I didn`t want to do it," Sonakshi, who is debuting opposite Salman Khan, told reporters. Considering so many actresses are giving a nod to item numbers, will she think of doing one in future? "No. I am not open to item numbers. I am happy with what I am doing," she said with a coy smile. The 23-year-old studied fashion designing and was 30 kg more than what she is today. But a promise given to her by superstar Salman Khan changed her life. "Salman had promised me that he will give me a break if I lose weight. So I started working hard...It took me two years to get into shape and he fulfilled his promise. Salman was very particular about my gym routine and pushed me into it as I was very lazy and lethargic," she said. Now the actress looks fit and beautiful - all excited for her first film to hit the screens in September. In ‘Dabangg’, her role is of a village belle, Rajo, who plays an important part in changing the life of Chulbul Pandey, the protagonist played by Salman. Sonakshi is candid when she says she always wanted a more glamorous debut but has no complaints about her first film. "I did want a glamorous debut. Who doesn`t want it? But then these days who knows what will work and what won`t. The film has turned out well; it has an actor as popular as Salman and I feel it`s a nice project to start off with. I think I made a good decision," the youngster said. But Sonakshi, who was in the capital for the music launch of ‘Dabangg’, intends to be very selective about her future films. "I don`t have to struggle a lot and sign up films frivolously, I don`t have to buy a house or car, I am well settled with my family. So I want to work at my own pace and so I will be and can be extremely choosy about my films," she said. So is the luxury of being choosy thanks to being Shatrughan Sinha`s daughter? "There are both sides to being a star kid. For my brother (Luv Sinha), `Sadiyaan` didn`t prove to be a successful launch. So it`s easy for some, and tough for some. It`s easy for star kids in the sense that our parents have been in the industry for a long time and they have contacts; so filmmakers are that much more accessible. "But it also has a downside - people have a lot more expectations from you. For me, it has been a beautiful journey so far, and I believe no journey is complete without both ups and downs equally. So I am very happy," Sonakshi said. IANS