Gopika is a practicing Christian. But her name will not make it obvious.

She is also a splendid actress. But her innocuous looks will not make that obvious, too.

The blithe-spirited heroine of 4 The People is the most sought-after actress in South these days.

But come to think of it, when Gopika signed for 4 The People she didn't realize that it would become such a money-grosser.

As luck would have it, Gopika had another release on the same day and it was Autograph in Tamil.

Not surprisingly it was also one of the biggest hits of the summer and Gopikas performance has won rave reviews.

This former Miss Thrissur made a tepid debut in Thulasidas' Pranayamanithooval opposite Jayasurya. But it was this film that made Cheran (the Autograph director) to come looking for her and cast in his film.

Gopika cannot stop smiling these days. It is providence, she says. An assistant of director Fazil recommended me to Cheran. I dubbed my own dialogues. Most of my scenes were shot in Alappuzha and it was a great experience for me, she says of Autograph.

But what of the Malayalam super-dupe hit 4 The People, she says, I never thought that the film would be such a hit. It was either God's grace or sheer luck that the songs, Lajjavathiye and Annakili were pictured on me. The credit goes to the entire team of the film.

Her responses are typical of the simple-minded girl residing in her. The trappings of stardom are still to arrive.Perhaps they will if her next release, a Kannada film Kanasinaloka, become a major hit. She will then become more confident.

She has also been lined up to act in the Telugu remakes of Autograph and Azhagi.

I am full of offers. It has been difficult to choose. My only aim is to remain open and be type-cast.

Heard that before?

Well, actresses are like that always.