Neha Dhupia’s Bollywood trajectory shows interesting variation. She made her debut as the clichéd heroine in the action drama, Qayamat: City Under Threat. She earned the sex-symbol tag for her bare-all act in Julie, followed by slapstick comedies like Kyaa Kool Hai Hum and Garam Masala. But the former Miss India got noticed for her performance in Ek Chalis Ki Last Local. Verve talks to the model-turned-actress about her choice of roles.

Do you think Bollywood is finally opening its arms to the multiplex film culture?
It’s a phenomenon that has just come in now. Let’s face it. Without taking any names, I want to point out that this year some of the biggest banners have produced mega starrers that have been complete duds and then there are small-budget films like Bheja Fry and Khosla Ka Ghosla that have done great business. Of course, there is an undeniably huge audience that is receptive to these films as well. So it is a converse relationship. The movies fare well at the box office and also win rave reviews. This drives the directors and producers to make more such films that have interesting scripts.

So is there a scope for cinema that explores offbeat scripts?
Certainly. There is appreciation for scripts that are both offbeat and upbeat. People appreciate content that is packaged well.

Where do you see yourself in the scheme of things – from special appearances and dancing to racy film numbers to more meaningful roles?
I am always experimenting in my roles. My aim is to involve myself in several genres. I try to do films that are entertaining as well as those that appeal to people with different sensibilities.
The audience that comes in to see films aimed at multiplexes isn’t the kind with leanings towards the tear jerker sitcoms that fill up the 7 to 10 pm slot on the idiot box.
They aren’t super rich either. These are people who appreciate a good film and want to spend a couple of hours watching something worth their while on screen, before heading for a drink and dinner.

What has been your most satisfying role so far?
It would have to be Ek Chalis ki Last Local. It was a comic thriller about two people whose lives change after they miss the last local train at 1.40 am.

What are your forthcoming projects?
I am working in Rajat Kapoor’s Mithya with Naseeruddin Shah and Ranvir Shorey. This is another film mainly aimed at muliplexes. Then there are movies like Kuch Love Kuch Drama, I am 24 and Dus Kahaniyan. I honestly believe multiplex films are the place to be in right now. Their success ratio is very high, whether you take Baroda, Bhatinda or Bombay.