Chak De girl gets Fox-y!

Even as we saw glimpses of the Chak De! India girls on television and films, the most popular of all them simply vanished from the public eye. It has taken Sagarika Ghatge -- or the beautiful Preeti Sabarwal -- two years to make it back on screen.

Her new film, Fox, releases this Friday, and stars Sunny Deol, Arjun Rampal and Udita Goswami.

Sagarika tells Nithya Ramani where she's been, and what it's like to do a film without Shah Rukh Khan.

How has life treated you after Chak De! India?

Life has been good. People recognise me. It feels good to know that people know me. They appreciated my work in Chak De! India.

So why did it take you so long to sign your second film?

(Laughs) I knew that was coming. There were a lot of scripts but I always work on my instincts. I didn't feel like I should be a part of the films with the scripts that I got. So I waited until I was sure. And that was when Fox came my way.

What is the film about?

It is a thriller. Actually, it is a combination of many things. It is about people fighting for the law and against the law. I can't reveal much.

I play Urvashi Sharma, a budding lawyer. I am paired opposite Arjun Rampal.

How did you bag the film?

A year ago, Deepak Tijori approached me. He had seen my earlier work and said that I would suit the role. I read the script and thought I should be a part of this film.

But why would you sign a film with Deepak Tijori after working in Bollywood's big banner, Yash Raj Films. Didn't you want to continue working in big banners?

This is not a small banner. It is produced by Zee Motion Pictures. Secondly, the film has Arjun Rampal and Sunny Deol. My role in the film is good and challenging and that got me interested.

I'm sure Yash Raj Films will approach me when they need me, when they have something suitable for me. And I will be glad to do it.

What was the experience like working with Sunny Deol and Arjun Rampal?

I was the juniormost artiste. I had the maximum scenes with Arjun and he helped me be calm. Since this was my second film, I was very nervous. But he was sweet and helped me with my lines.

Arjun is a fitness freak. He would play tennis and work out in the gym.

Sunny is more reserved. He is a very nice person at heart and it was great to know him. I didn't have many scenes with him as Udita is paired opposite him. When we were shooting in Goa, he shared his experiences with us.

How was your rapport with Udita?

She is a very sweet girl. We didn't have scenes together but we would sit and chat once my shots were done and she was getting ready for hers. I got along well with her. Everyone was very sweet and helpful to me.

How was it working with Deepak Tijori?

I have seen the films he has acted in though I cannot remember the names. I think he is good. Even as a director, he is very calm, composed and chilled out. Since he is an actor, he knows what goes through an actor's mind. He would act out scenes sometimes and show us how he wanted it.

I am a director's actor. I can only learn.

Your co-stars from Chak De! have gone a long way since the film released. Do you think you did not cash in on your fame soon enough?

No. I am not insecure. I could have gone a long way if I wanted to also. Since I didn't get anything that excited me, I took it slow.

Are you in touch with the rest of the Chak De! gang?

I'm in touch with a few of them like Shilpa Shukla and Vidya Malvade. Many have moved on.

Did you ever think of changing your career?

I always knew acting was my calling.

Do you want to try your hand in reality TV shows?

No reality TV shows for me. I don't think I'm fit for those.

What are your future projects?

I am doing a film called Raftaar. And then a J P Dutta film.