There was a time when Chitrangada Singh consciously stayed away from signing TV commercials and item numbers. But like they say, time and situation can trigger a change.  Her hot new item number has become a topic of conversation among film buffs. But very few people know that while shooting the track, the actress suffered from a knee injury, for which she was prescribed countless painkillers. In a candid tete-a-tete, Chitrangada comes clear on her image makeover and future projects.

Why suddenly an item number?
Why not? What’s the harm in trying new stuff? I was in Delhi and got a call from Farah Khan asking me if I could come over and listen to a song. I instantly liked the peppy number and we shot for it over the next five days.

Turns out the makers had to edit the lyrics of the number?
Yes, I know. I don’t see what the issue is though. Even while co-hosting IIFA, Shahid (Kapoor) informed me that the term ‘fakht’ is a Marathi word and used extensively in Mumbai.

Was Desi Boyz an attempt to fit into the Bollywood crowd?
(Pause) It’s an easy presumption to make about an actress when she breaks out away from the crowd and tries to create an identity of her own. No doubt I love my work in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi but having said that, if a director keeps doing action films, he’ll get frameworked in his own field. And he’ll definitely try to do comedy or something. That’s precisely what I am doing.

Speaking of directors, you are working with Sudhir Mishra again...
It’s a pleasure as well as an honour to be associated with him and he’s one of those directors whom you can trust for performance-oriented characters.

Were you comfortable with the love scenes with Arjun Rampal in the film?
Totally. Not only were the scenes an inseparable part of the film but they were aesthetically shot too. I was extremely comfortable because every inch of physical contact was planned and a lot of technicality and discussions went into the making.

Is it true that you’ll be hosting a TV show?
No. I don’t have any such plan.

How do you juggle your time between your career and family?
I somehow manage it because I am a superwoman. (Laughs) But then, everybody is managing time. Of course, I have my good days and bad days. Sometimes, I feel great and sometimes, terrible. But at the end of the day, I love doing what I do.

What exactly do you look for in a script?
I love stories in which people are ordinary - not all-positive or all-negative. Like in real life where we’ve got ambitions and weaknesses too.