'I am a die-hard Nagarjuna fan'

Shwetha Bhardwaj recently rocked the screen with her item number We Love Bad Boys in the Telugu film Businessman, directed by Puri Jagannath, starring Mahesh Babu and Kajal Aggarwal.

Known for her roles in Hindi films like Mission Istanbul, Bin Bulaye Baraati, Loot and the recently released Chaalis Chaurasi and Players, Shweta has also worked in Indumathi, a Telugu film, some years ago which not many remember.

In this interview, she talks to Radhika Rajamani about the item number and her second foray into Telugu films.

Are you happy with the response to the item number in Businessman?

Yes. The premieres of Chalis Chaurasi and Businessman were on the same day.

I met the press and one of the two shows on TV was live. People called in and it felt great that everyone knew me because of just that one song.

How did you get to do this item number and what made you do it?

Puri is a friend. I had met him for a Hindi film he was supposed to be making. A couple of months later, he called me up and told me there was this song that suits me and my personality and asked if I would like to do it.

He also said the film had Mahesh Babu in it. I said yes. They were shooting in Mumbai so I didn't have to go out of the way.

How easy or difficult was the choreography?

It wasn't easy for someone who is not comfortable with dancing. I was told the choreographer was very strict and he didn't change steps. After the rehearsal, I asked, "That's it?" The choreographer said, "Yes, you are good, you will pick up tomorrow, don't worry." I felt he had confidence in me.

When I saw the dance costumes, I found that they were not comfortable. Nor were the shoes; even a good dancer could sprain her foot wearing those shoes. But the choreographer insisted I wear the shoes and dance.

How different was it doing this dance compared to ones in Hindi?

It was the language. Since it was Telugu, I had to ask the meaning of the sentence, whereas in Hindi I know what is happening -- the beat, the pace. It's different in Telugu, but one gets used to it.

How was it shaking a leg with Mahesh Babu?

Mahesh is a good dancer. It doesn't take him more than a few seconds to pick up a step. I love men who dance well.

How was it working with Puri?

He's a friend. I never felt I was working with him really. He behaved like a friend.

This is not your first Telugu film. You have acted in one before.

I acted in one really long ago, when I was about 19. I had no idea about how big the production house was, how big the director was. I just got a call. I don't recollect much about the film. I shot for about 25 days and then left. I was not in touch with the director or producer after the film released.

Would you want to act in more Telugu films?

Of course, I would. I was making a list of the heroes I would love to work with.

Who tops that list?

Obviously, Mahesh and then Nagarjuna. Mahesh is a gentle soft-spoken guy, very down to earth.

I've been a die-hard Nagarjuna fan since childhood, so definitely I want to work with him.