We last saw Sonali Kulkarni [Images] in a bit role in Gurinder Chadha's Bride & Prejudice. Now, the actress is back with Dansh, opposite Kay Kay Menon.

The film revolves around the conflict between rebel Mizo National Front and the Indian Army. The MNF spokesperson (Menon) and his wife (Kulkarni) confront a civilian doctor (Aditya Srivastava) and try to explain each other's stand. The film is about one single night.

Sonali talks to Vidya Prabhu about her new film and more.

What are your thoughts on Dansh?

It would be lie if I were to tell you that we do not expect anything from this film. It boasts of a different story line.

Having said that, I admit I have no idea how the audiences will receive it. We'll just have to wait and watch.

You play a guerrilla in the movie. How did you prepare yourself for the role?

Honestly, I did not do any research on guerrillas. I just empathised with the character and the emotions came naturally to me.

Dansh marks director Kanika Verma's debut.

Yes, this is her first film as a director. Before this, she had worked extensively under director Hansal Mehta. So Kanika knew what she was doing when she decided to work on this project. She completed her research and has indeed managed to extract the best from each one of us.

What are your upcoming projects?

Apart from Dansh, there is Hannan directed by Makrand Deshpande. I am cast opposite Manoj Bajpai [Images]. Then, the Italian movie Fire At My Heart, where I am cast opposite Italian actor Massi Mili.

I am also doing the play Sar Sar Sarla and have just wrapped up work on the DVD version of playwright Vijay Tendulkar's Marathi play Sakharam Binder.

How did you get into acting?

I always participated in theatre workshops as a child, especially those organised by my guru, Satyadev Dubeyji. At one such workshop, actor-anchor Girish Karnad spotted me and was impressed by my performance. So he offered me my first film Chelluvi, which means beautiful girl in Kannada, even though it was a Hindi film.

What do you look at, before signing a role?

The script and, of course, my role in the movie.

Of all the roles that you have played so far, which one do you consider to be the best?

I loved the roles I played in Mission Kashmir [Images], Agni Varsha and of course, Dil Chahta Hai [Images]. Not to mention my Marathi movies -- Devrai, Shwet, Mukta and Doghi.

What do you think of item numbers?

I think they make for great entertainment and are loved by one and all. To tell you the truth, I am not averse to doing them.

Something we do not know about you...

I am a cleanliness freak!

Any regrets?

None at all. I've made my share of mistakes but everyone is prone to making them and I am no different. What's important is that I've learnt from my mistakes.

You haven't really made it as a leading actress.

Like I said earlier, I have made certain mistakes during the course of my career, but you cannot deny the fact that regardless of the film's fate, audiences have loved my performances. I am grateful to them for that. In any case, I have got a long way to go and I consider myself lucky in that I've got some really good work coming my way.