Having burst on to the scene with the music video of Chadthi Jawani , there has been no looking back for Nisha Kothari. A major in Chemistry from DU, Nisha hit the top league with Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar . But it was James that turned her into a sex symbol overnight. She serves an unusual cocktail of an angelic face coupled with an ‘oh so hot’ body and a no-frills demeanour. She was in town for the launch of the Telugu version of RGV’s Aag, Aggi, in which she is portraying the role played by Hema Malini.

Basanti vs Ghungroo:

It would be unfair to compare me with a legend like Hema Malini. My character has no shades of Basanti. Ghungroo is a city girl who is in stark contrast with the village bred Basanti. She is a tomboy who smokes bidis (imitating her favourite actor- Rajnikanth), is fearless and speaks a tapori lingo. I had to work very hard on my body language and expression, as she wears a new expression in every scene. Now it’s up to the audience to decide.

Acting career:

I had actually made my debut as Amoga in a Tamil film Jay Jay opposite Madhavan in 2003. I had left my portfolio at Ramuji’s office and to my surprise I got a call for an audition and I was offered a role in Sarkar. All of a sudden I was rubbing shoulders with stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, Ajay Devagan. It’s been a great learning experience so far but I still have miles to go.

Her sex symbol image:

It’s very flattering and embarrassing at the same time. I don’t think I am sexy at all. I am a very conservative person at heart. But it’s some thing that comes with a job and I have not done anything that’s vulgar. But I do not want to be typecast and want to try out different roles and grow as an actress.

Tollywood:

I am currently working opposite Balakrishna in Okka Mogadu. It’s been a fantastic experience. I am awe struck by the colour and vibrancy of Telugu cinema. The people are very cordial and thorough professionals . I would love to work again provided the opportunity .

Ideal man:

(Laughs). I’d rather wait for him to turn up for the element of surprise