When we enter the room to interview Rani Mukherjee.... ooops Mukerji...., she’s busy speaking to a radio station on the telephone.

After answering a round of questions, she clears her throat, and wishes the station’s listeners all the best. A few seconds later, she clears her throat, looks at the ceiling and wishes the station’s listeners Happy Independence Day.

A few seconds later, she clears her throat, looks at the ceiling, holds her head and wishes the station’s listeners Happy Diwali.

A few seconds later, she looks relieved when she puts down the phone. She’s now ready to give yet another interview on her film Chori Chori, which is due to release this week. Directed by Milan Luthria, the movie also stars Ajay Devgan.

The meeting is conducted in the Universal Music office, and when a manager asks her what she’ll have for lunch, she flashes that famous smile, and says: “I’ll eat later. Right now, I want to promote my film.” As she waits for the first question, we begin:

Promote keejiye na...

Huh!

You said you wanted to promote the film.

(Smiles) Oh, okay. Here, I play an orphan who’s brought up in a family of wedding singers. She’s always lying, and life takes a sudden turn for her.

The film is a light-hearted comedy with a good dose of romance. I’m doing comedy for the first time, and it was really comfortable working with both Ajay and Milan.

Apparently, you and Ajay play completely opposite characters.

Yes, I am acting opposite Ajay.

What I meant was you play opposites who get attracted to each other.

Yes, that’s right. I am so full of fun and full of life. He’s quite a contrast. But there’s one similarity in that both of us are dreamers.

After two hits in Shaad Ali’s Saathiya and Aziz Mirza’s Chalte Chalte, how hopeful are you of another hit?

I’m pretty optimistic, all right. The interesting thing is that Chori Chori was originally scheduled to be released before these two films.

Then, there were certain problems which Milan will talk about. But we released it because we believed in it. Irrespective of Saathiya and Chalte Chalte, I am confident that people will like Chori Chori.

Apart from the class difference, the roles in Saathiya and Chalte Chalte had similarities. You know, like moving from wedding ring to suffer-ring. Did you approach them differently?

At no point did I feel that the roles were similar. The stories were different, and the approach of both directors was different.

Both the films have taken you quite high there. How does it feel to be... ummm.... high there?

For an actor, it is foolish to feel great at such a stage in one’s career. Hits and flops are only temporary, and one shouldn’t take them too seriously. One should believe in one’s work.

How are you preparing for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani?

All I can say is that before Bajirao Mastani, I am doing another Bhansali film, Black, which also has Mr Bachchan.

What are you playing there?

I’m sorry I can’t tell you anything.

I hear you’ve also been signed for Yash Chopra’s next film...

I'm sorry I can’t tell you anything.

And even Mahesh Bhatt's film...

I’m really, really sorry.

Okay, what films can you announce at this moment?

Well, there’s Black. There’s Ketan Mehta’s film with Aamir. There’s Mani Ratnam’s next film. And there’s Kunal Kohli’s Hum Tum with Saif.

What roles are you playing?

A mixture of everything.

Okay, thanks a lot. Do you want to read out some more messages for New Year and next Holi?

(laughs) Nooooooooooooooooo!!!