'No man can make me quit' Shilpa Shetty loves the camera. Period

She is one of the few stars in the Hindi film industry who has truly kept pace with time.

From wild hairdos in her debut film Baazigar, to the straight look in her latest film Badhaai Ho Badhaai, Shilpa Shetty's love affair with the camera has lasted ten years.

Unabashedly commercial in her roles, there's no denying that the camera loves Shetty.

She was criticised for her performance in Vimal Kumar's Chhote Sarkar, but Dharmesh Darshan's Dhadkan won her acclaim.

Now, on the eve of the release of her latest film, Badhaai Ho Badhaai, the actress speaks to Bharati Dubey:

What is so special about Badhaai Ho Badhaai?

As you know, the film is about celebration. It is a clean, uncomplicated film. The audience will see a different Shilpa and a different Keerti [Reddy, who also stars in the film]. Everybody is playing a different character, especially Anilji [Anil Kapoor]. He has done something few actors have had the guts to do.

What made you sign this film?

I already had Dhadkan behind me. I was looking for good scripts and something that would validate myself as an actress.

When Badhaai Ho Badhaai came to me, I was ecstatic. I hold director Satish Kaushik in great esteem. I knew it would be a film where he would work hard on me. He always projects women as strong characters. You will see that in Badhaai Ho Badhaai.

You replaced Karisma Kapoor in the film.

All that is immaterial. I have been replaced in so many films. What difference does it make if I replace Karisma? I have been selected because I fit the role. The rest is immaterial.

You had a very small role in your previous film Indian.

I was written off two years ago by my critics, but I proved them wrong. I am grateful to God that the audience likes me.

Last year, I had only one release, Indian, an action film. It is silly if people expect anything from the heroine in an action film. How can she rise above the hero? Besides, if wasn't for Indian, I wouldn't have been in the news last year.

I did it because I knew I would be presented well. I did it to the best of my abilities. I don't think people criticised me in the film.

So you would say that Dhadkan is your best film?

I pray that people don't make comparisons with a film like Dhadkan because the woman had an important role to play there. I am not saying I don't have important roles in my forthcoming films. But Dhadkan was a love story. There are few of that kind being made today.

I am trying to break away from that. I do not want to be typecast. I want to experiment.

So how experimental are you with your forthcoming films?

Indra Kumar's Rishte revolves around four characters. I am proud to be a part of that film. Dil Churake Chal Diye has a very challenging script.

Mahesh Manjrekar's Pratibimb (with Sanjay Dutt) sees me in cotton Maheshwari saris with sindoor in my hair. I play Namrata Shirodkar's daughter-in-law. But I don't have any scene with her. I think that is very intelligent on the director's part. I don't think Sanju and Namrata have been shown together either.

There is David Dhawan's Chor Machaye Shor with Bobby Deol. Then there is Junoon, a psychological thriller with Chandrachur Singh, and Karz with Sunil Shetty and Sunny Deol.

And, of course, there's Badhaai Ho Badhaai, where I play a Punjabi woman.

Does the length of roles matter to you?

As long as I get job satisfaction and I'm happy with what I'm doing, I don't bother. I love being in front of the camera. I want people to offer more to me.

I knew the reaction I would get for Indian. But a hit is a hit is a hit, and I am proud to be part of the project. After Dhadkan, I needed a hit and Indian gave it to me. I have no regrets.

Will you sacrifice your career for marriage?

I'm not made that way. I will not sacrifice my career for anyone. I will give it up when I think the time is right, not because someone asks me to.

I have to be satisfied with what I am doing and convinced when I want to give it up. No one can do that for me. I know that acting will not last forever. I cannot be a heroine for the rest of my life.

Are you happy with sister Shamita's career?

I would be lying if I said I am happy but Shamita seems to be happy with her South films. I think she is brilliant. Time and age is on her side and she has a long way to go. Shamita has learnt from my mistakes.