Rakul Preet shares her experience of how`s life after the success of Venkatadri Express, shooting for her forthcoming release Pandaga Chesko, and close friends in the industry.

You are the toast of T-Town. How are u handling the growing stardom

I`m not specifically preparing or thinking too much about that. I just take things as they come and the best part is that I enjoy what I do and I love being part of the whole process.

What`s the learning curve during the process of your journey

Growth is a sub-conscious activity and I learnt a lot in this course and I`m always open to learning and grasping new things from people. I`m learning with every film and my confidence levels and technique is also getting better with each film.

Your role in Pandaga Chesko

I play Divya, an environmentalist in the film. I have a lot of love for nature, trees, animals and greenery and I feel that if I did not exist, there`d be no greenery on the face of the earth (smiles). I tried some serious acting but my role will have the audience in splits. Moreover, personally, I`m a nature lover and I never litter on the road. Even if I have anything I carry the plate and put it in the dustbin. I remember, once in my college days, when a couple of students threw beer cans outside my college campus, I have picked up them and threw back at their car, yelling at them.

Ur equation with Sonal. Any cat fights?

Nope! I don`t know why people have cat fights (smiles) – touchwood, I`ve been lucky not to have such fights. I think as long as you manage your work, there would be no trouble. And Sonal is a sweet girl. We did have a few scenes and I enjoyed a lot.

You suggested Sonal on where to have Biryani in Hyd?

Yes (laughs)! We did hang out for a day since we did not have much time and combination scenes. I`m a big foodie and would love to indulge in such things. I`ve been to many restaurants in the city, and although I can`t eat often, I know what`s available where (smiles). So I suggested her a few food joints.

How is Rakul before and after Venkatadri Express

I`m pretty much the same before and after Venkatadri Express. Yes, the film was definitely the turning point for me but it was not straight after Venkatadri Express I landed up in offers. I had to wait for four months to sign my next film and during that time I was constantly asking my manager whether there are any new projects. So the growth has been a step by step process and signing several films later, well, it is not sunk in, and I don`t think I know I`m an actress (smiles).

What were your thoughts during those four months

I`m not apprehensive but nervous that will I get good projects. That`s because I love my work and wanted to do films. I never thought that since I had a hit and people will come. I want work and challenge myself. When Venkatadri Express released in Nov, many other projects are on floors, but after three months suddenly I was flooded with offers.

Who do you hang out with

Generally, I don`t get time…but in actors, I hang out with Regina, Sundeep, Raashi, Rahul Ravindran, Aadi, etc., they are all very close to me.

Tell us about ur link ups

There are hardly any link ups because there`s no time for any link ups (laughs). For being in a relationship or to be linked up with somebody, you need to have time. I hang out with my friends just at my leisure but there`s no time to get into any link up.

You are upping your glam quotient at pubic functions? Is that a conscious move

Oh really! I wore a saree for Kick 2 audio, I wore a lehenga for Zee Telugu awards and I sported a full gown, which was a little backless for Pandaga Chesko audio release. So I`m trying to create different style sense, and since I`m an actor I`m in public eye and you need to experiment (which you can`t in films) with your looks, styles, make up, etc. I like doing such things.

Any interesting on the sets moments

Shooting for the film was always fun. Ram and me got well along the set. In the first schedule, I had a scene where I was asked to mouth a 3-4 page dialogue in anger non-stop. During that time, I don`t know much about Telugu. I asked whether the shot has any cuts, but they said it`s a master shot and I have to tell the dialogues continuously. After completing the shot I felt proud of myself that I could mouth such dialogues in Telugu

Tell us about Ravi Teja

He's very genuine and grounded. I learnt a lot from him and he often says that he sees himself in me because both of us like working for all day.