At 21, she’s four-films-old...geared up for a couple more during the rest of the year. In upbeat mood and form right now, Tanushree Dutta is at her plush Lokhandwala home. Sipping a cup of kadak chai I ask her:

So far, so good?
You can say that again. I’ve been welcomed warmly. I wouldn’t say I’ve achieved everything but a lot of what I’d planned. I’ve taken both criticism and praise in my stride. Today I’m raring to work hard and party harder

What have you been upto lately ?
I’ve completed Dhol. We should hopefully start dubbing next week. Good Boy Bad Boy is almost ready. I’ve also completed Raqeeb. I shot for a promotional video for the film.

It’s the first time I’m doing a grey character. I’m quite excited and anxious to see the results. I’ve great hopes from this project. I’m also doing loads of stage shows this year.

Apparently you weren’t too happy with Risk.
I will not call Risk a mistake. Some films work some don’t. It doesn’t stop me from moving on. My part didn’t turn out as promised. It was reduced to a few scenes and a song. Hitchki worked for me. It’s added to my popularity. So, I’m okay with the film.

You were supposed to do another film with Abbas Mustan after Fool and Final.
There isn’t anything ready on paper. I’ll surely work with them.

When?
It’s for time and them to decide. If they have something, they’ll tell me.

Is it tough to find a good secretary?
Haan. It’s a little tough to find someone who absolutely gels with you. He should be able to balance diverse interests. Many promise to get you work but never fulfill it.

My previous secretary wasn’t any good. He wouldn’t communicate important business messages to me. A lot of times I’ve missed out on projects because of this. He was trying to get me films that I would make money with.

I tried to make him understand that I wanted decent roles. It didn’t work and one day I put my foot down.

Now, I’m looking after my own work. I’m learning to gauge a good script from a bad one. He may not have been a bad secretary but we just didn’t gel.

Don’t you fear getting slotted as a glam doll?
I’m not scared of anything. Once in a while, out of four films, you can easily do a glam role or an item number. I don’t think that can be a category to slot an actress as a glam lady or otherwise. If I’ve done a Hitchki, then I’m also doing Raqeeb. So where’s the issue of getting slotted?

And are your parents okay with your glam image?
Yes. But they were a little uneasy with my bold scenes in Aashiq Banaya Aapne. They were shot aesthetically. So, they didn’t grumble about that for too long.

Now, I’ve drawn a line and I know where to stop. As a newcomer it’s very difficult to say no. And the enthusiasm is so high that you don’t realise when you cross the limits. I’m clear about what I want to do now.