'I had no godfather in Bollywood'

Now, Payal Rohatgi is waiting for Dhol to push her into the bracket of serious actors. Payal's banking a lot on this film. After all, it's not everyday that one gets to do a Priyadarshan film that too in the second lead opposite Arbaaz Khan. As her film nears release, we accost Payal for some insights into her expectations from her upcoming film. Excerpts from an interview:

What are your expectations from Dhol?

The last one year has been a transitory one for my career. I am making all efforts to establish myself as an actress and not just as a sex symbol. I have always wanted to do roles in which I can perform and where I will be appreciated as a good actress. Priyadarshan's Dhol has been a blessing. Everyone knows that in his films, there are demanding roles and I have got an opportunity to perform and not just be pretty. I have decided that henceforth I will concentrate on performance-based roles only. I am quite fed up of doing small, sexy roles. I am sure the audience will appreciate the new Payal.

Tell us about your role in Dhol.

I am not at the liberty to tell you about the story or my role in the film. But I can assure you that Dhol is the most happening film of my career.

Aren't you risking too much by putting your bet on one film? You might even lose out on the sex symbol tag in the bargain!

I am aware that I am taking a risk. But then this was a necessary risk for me. My career so far consisted of small, sexy roles. I desperately want to break out of that image. I cannot always do such kinds of roles. Now when I think back, I wonder why I did such roles. The one truth is that I didn't have a filmy background, nor did I have a godfather. I come from a middle-class family and my aspiration then was to become an actress. To break into Bollywood I had to do such roles. But when later I thought about it I felt that I did not want to continue doing such insignificant roles. I also had to take a break in my career but now that I am back, I know Dhol will do wonders for my career.

36 China Town and Corporate were big films. Did they help your career?

Both were good films. 36 China Town was a multi-starrer and it was good that I was noticed. In Corporate, I had only one song. I have always been Madhur's fan. He is a very good director and I wanted to work with him. After Corporate, I got Dhol.

You've said that you will not work in small budget films anymore?

Well, no film becomes big or small because of its budget. But yes, before signing any film, I want to ensure that the script is good and that I have a performance-based role. I would like to know the banner, the set-up, the marketing strategy and how I will be projected before I decide to take up the project. I will not work in movies that require unnecessary skin show.

Are you saying that big films don't have skin show?

Yeah they do. But in those films, the steamy scenes have a purpose. They are there only when the character or the story demands them.

Will you do another item song like the one you did in Corporate?

That will depend on the banner and the type of film. If the set-up is good and the role demands it, I will think about it. Right now, I am only concerned about my career.