New Delhi, July 15: Theatre. Modelling. The Fa Femina Miss India 2002 title. Music videos. Travelling. Bollywood? The smile of excitement sits pretty on Neha Dhupia's lips. With her maiden movie Qayamat hitting the silver screen, life has never been more beautiful for this Delhi girl. But it’s been tricky too. ‘‘The tricky part was engaging in heated conversation with Sunil Shetty and Ajay Devgan for certain scenes in the film,’’ says Neha through a smile, ‘‘It was difficult for me because, as a viewer, I admire them as actors. But I got over my apprehensions pretty fast!’’
But then, Qayamat itself is set in the fast lane. ‘‘It is an out-and-out action film in which I provide the emotional angle.’’ And the sizzle. By the way, Neha’s bikini shot in Qayamat has set the mercury soaring in Bollywood. ‘‘Ah yes, it’s a beachside shot in which I, dressed in a swimsuit, make my first appearance in the film.’’ For a nation high on hormones, Neha could be the next pin-up. And she is comfortable with her sensual image.

From the real world to the reel world, it’s been quite a leap for her. But then, if Neha has dreams in her eyes, she has also shaped her own destiny. So, she was ready when Bollywood came a-calling. ‘‘After Harry Baweja contacted me, I was asked to appear for a screen test. And when I was through, I was told that I fit the bill perfectly!’’
Qayamat might well be Neha’s first film, but she is certainly no stranger to acting. ‘‘Acting hasn’t been tough for me,’’ says Neha, ‘‘My director was extremely helpful and my co-stars, Ajay and Sunil, were very supportive. In any case, since I started with theatre before entering modelling, I have had my brush with acting. During shoots, I have never been camera-conscious or scared stiff. Rather, it has been fun all along.’’

The nip in the air makes her nose glow. Perhaps, the profile of the Hindi film heroine has changed. If Maybelline mademoiselles were the order of the day, be informed that the order is changing. Ring in Neha. ‘‘I don’t have a legacy in the movies; no sugar daddies or godfathers to promote me. I pretty much made it on my own steam. And I’m proud of that.’’

Generation next? A brave new world? Plain common sense? Or just frank-speak? Whatever it is, it’s working. The box-office isn’t complaining. And neither is Neha.

She travels light. No baggage, no tales of self-indulgent behaviour, no scandal sheets. When she isn’t lip-synching to a ditty purring out of the CD system, she’s scribbling furiously into her diary. And the diary has been kept busy ever since the offers started pouring in.

‘‘Beyond Qayamat, I have a few offers, including Deepak Shivdasani’s Julie and a comedy with Aftab Shivdasani and Paresh Rawal. I will continue to model whenever I have the time. I’m taking things a day at a time —this, I feel, is the best way to live life.’’

Ticking away on those young shoulders is a mature brain. Come rain, shine or Qayamat, Neha will live life on her own terms.