If lengths of roles mattered, Rani Mukherji would have long been out of the reckoning.

She had a short, but important, role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. She made an even shorter, but no less striking, appearance in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. As it happens, she agreed to do it only because she's great friends with director Karan Johar.

Not a very conventional heroine, is she?

Yet, Rani has endeared herself to the masses with her light, expressive eyes and her strangely gravelly voice. Last year, she had a no show in Nayak, Tamil director Shankar's remake of Mudhalvan, opposite Anil Kapoor. And a minuscule role in Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

She has been keeping a low profile, with good reason, discovers Seema Sinha .

Rani's immediate releases are Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai (opposite Govinda) and Chori Chori (opposite Ajay Devgan). She is the picture of ease in a red and black striped tee and black trousers. She has lost oodles of weight and looks gorgeous, as she speaks at Subhash Ghai's Audeus Studio in Mumbai:

Why this silence? You seem to have become inaccessible to the media of late.

No, that's not true. I haven't become inaccessible. I am very much here, very much around.

Two of my films, Chori Chori and Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai are releasing almost simultaneously, after a dry spell. (The former releases March 29 and the latter in April.)

But, you know, the release of any film is not in the hands of any actor. It is up to the producer. We just give our dates and that's it. There's no reason given for the delay.

What kind of roles do you essay in Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai and Chori Chori.

Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai is a remake of a successful Tamil film. I saw the original and liked the subject. It is a love story, but what interested me was its unusual climax. South filmmakers experiment with unusual subjects since the audience there is more receptive to them than Hindi film audiences.

I play a research student living abroad. I come to India to research on classical dance. I am this modern girl who hates liars and dishonest people. Govinda plays a poor, handicapped man who paints billboards.

The film is about love and sacrifice. There is no place for item numbers nor any masala in this film.

In Chori Chori, I play a con artiste and an orphan who craves love. This is the first I have attempted a comic role after Bichchoo [opposite Bobby Deol].

How was it working with Govinda?

It is a privilege --- he is the king of entertainment. He is extremely talented and spontaneous on the sets. His dialogues are impeccably timed. His comic timing is just perfect. I was stunned watching him. He radiates an energy which translates very well on screen.

We shared a good chemistry --- perhaps because both of us are into dancing. Maybe it was also because we were very friendly.

You have worked with the three Khans --- Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman. Whom do you gel with the most?

Aamir and Shah Rukh, because I started my career with them. I learnt a lot from them.

When I did Ghulam (with Aamir) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (with Shah Rukh), I was treated like a child. Both of them were very protective towards me. I will always be thankful to them. They played a very important role in shaping my career.

You seem to share a good rapport with Aamir since you collected the Filmfare Best Actor Award this year for him...

Well, let me also tell you that Aamir is very angry with me for that! I shouldn't have accepted the award on his behalf because he didn't accept it. I found myself in a very awkward situation when the organisers asked me to collect the award for him.

Aamir's a very close friend. He is an intense person and loves his job.

You seem to be doing fewer films these days.

That's because I took a conscious decision last year --- I realise I need time for myself. Also, I will accept only those roles which give me scope to perform. I insist on a few issues --- like the director. It would matter to me that I am comfortable with him and with the kind of films he makes. Second, I would insist on knowing more about my role and the script, which is an integral part of filmmaking.

Right now, I am working on two films --- Kunal Kohli's directorial debut Mujhse Dosti Karoge, for Yash Raj Films, and Saathiya, with Vivek Oberoi.

Speaking of Vivek Oberoi, what do you think of him? He seems to be much bandied about these days.

For good reason. Vivek is a very talented guy. He has a good mix of glamour and realism in him.

If he is lucky, he will be the star of the country.

India News Feature Service