'I am a chick with unique ingredients'

Bisile, the Kannada film directed by Sandeep is the story of two trekkers who lose their way while on a trek to a tourist spot in Bisile Ghat.

Jennifer Kotwal, who debuted in the blockbuster film Jogi, plays the role of one of the trekkers. Digant is the male lead.

Over to Jennifer Kotwal.

What attracted you to the role?

The girl-next-door character. I had a blast shooting for this film. We were a young team so it was great fun. The fact that Sandeep has a great sense of humour added to the fun.

The best part however was my shots with an elephant, Saraswathi. She was brought from Kerala just for the shoot and I spent a week shooting with her in Coorg. The elephant has acted in 42 films and I shared a great rapport with her!

This is the first time that you are paired with Digant...

But I have known him much before I became an actress. We had done the Pantaloon advertisement campaigns together. He is more of a buddy to me. In fact he is among my very few friends in the industry; Dhyan and Sharmila Mandre being the other two.

What are your other Kannada projects?

There are Huli and Prince which are being directed by Om Prakash Rao. In both films like in Jogi, I play a reporter.

For me it is important to have a good and fun work atmosphere and Huli in particular has been a great experience. It was a young team and we had real great fun between shots. I have even made videos of our masti and have put it on my official website. I was having so much fun that at times I had to be reminded to behave like an actress!

Was it this friendliness that led to link ups between Om and you?

These rumours are absolute rubbish. I am a very transparent person and have been open about my relationships. For instance two years ago, I had made known my relationship with a business man.

Anyway the link-up between Om and me probably stem from the fact that I am doing two films with him. But then again my hero in Huli, Kishore is also doing two films with him, why is the press not writing anything about that!

I just feel some of my rivals are spreading these rumours as they are envious of me having got the roles based just on my credentials. Also posing for a photo with someone's arms around your shoulders doesn't qualify for a relationship!

Are you a part of Matondu Maduve, the sequel to your successful and previous release Eradane Maduve?

I did shoot for a day, but haven't heard from them since. I don't know what is happening on that front as I am in Mumbai.

Does the fact that you are not a part of Jogaiah, the sequel to your debut Kannada film Jogi, bother you?

I don't chase after projects and secondly maybe I was too commercial for Jogaiah. All the same I wish Rakshita, who is producing the film, all the luck. She is a dear friend and I hope the film is a success.

But speaking about Jogi, it was a film which gave me recognition. I remember the film being released simultaneously with Hindi flick Mangal Pandey. While there were hardly five people in the queue for that film and not many takers for the other South Indian films that released then, the ticket counters of theatres screening my film were crowded.

More than anything Jogi gave me an opportunity to interact with Dr Rajkumar. I had spent an entire day with him. He is a very humble man and the love he received from people is remarkable. He was the first one to compliment me on my film. After watching Jogi with Rajinikanth he said that I had great potential.

What are your other projects?

I am doing an untitled love story which will be a bilingual (Tamil and Malayalam).

Do you feel threatened by the entry of new faces in Kannada films?

From day one I have been like a horse with blinders. I know my USP and don't care about what others are doing. I am a chick with unique ingredients; wannabe actresses don't bother me. And I have a large fan base. I'm not insecure.

Which has been the best compliment that you have received from a fan?

It has to be the one given by a 12-year-old. He came up to me and asked me what kind of a man I was looking to settle down with and told me he would be that and asked me to wait till he grows up!

Is there anyone with whom you wish to act with in particular?

For me, the script is the real hero so star cast is hardly an issue. But given a choice it will be Johnny Depp and down South Rajinikanth. I am a Leo and he is a Sagittarian which makes for a good match!

You are being criticised for putting on weight. Looks like size zero is not your thing...

The then and now pictures of me which have been appearing in the media off late has made me aware that I am being watched with binoculars!

I do agree that I have put on weight, but that's because I was unable to hit the gym for sometime due to a back injury. But I have started exercising and if I put my mind to it, I'll get back in shape in just two weeks. None the less these criticisms have not affected my confidence.