MUKOYAR

Malaika Arora who has so far done some way-to-go-go item songs agreed to do her first regional item song in the Telugu film with the reigning superstar Mahesh Babu.And only because Mahesh's wife Namrata Shirodhkar who's an old friend, requested Malaika. But once in Hyderabad to shoot the song Malaika was in for a confounding culture shock."I never thought I'd dance in a regional film. She said they needed me to do a song and dance. I thought I wouldn't be able to mouth those Telugu words. But Namrata convinced me. It was ages since I had met her.I told her the entire team including the choreographer was unknown to me, and I wouldn't be comfortable. And to me being comfortable in what I do is very important.She told me to just relax and promised to be there for me. When I heard the track I found it very cool."Malaika still can't believe the experience. "I had taken my friends along and at the end of it they were wondering if it was for real. "...

After a sensitive cameo act in Shaurya, you are back doing a light-hearted film like Welcome to Sajjanpur… How does it feel?I am super duper excited (laughs). Being a part of a Shyam Benegal movie was actually a high point for me when I first read the script. He is somebody who is liked and revered by everyone in my community.In fact, not many people know that we belong to same community and we speak the same language (Konkani). So, people like Girsh Karnad, Ananth Nag, and Shyam Benegal have always been looked upon by our community.Then of course I happened to see Zubeidaa when I was studying and that is one film that I still count as one of my favorite films. So when Shyamji called me for this role, I didn't ask him any questions and I just said yes to the film. Because, I so wanted to be on board under his direction. Did you ever ask him why did he think of you for this role?I did ask him and he said that he had seen me in Vivah and felt that I most appropriately suited the role...