She's won the hearts of many, and broken at least half. Shilpa is the diva who keeps re-defining herself in her respectable film roles. Not to mention her beauty and charm have taken her a long way, Shilpa is on top of it all, and chats with Jasmeen.

Your career took off in a big way after the mega success of Dhadkan. You didn't even have a single film on hand when Dhadkan released, and now you are flooded with offers. What do you think is the formula of this sudden success?
Even during the making of the film, I knew Dhadkan would do it for me. My formula of success is simple: Whereas previously I had done lots of guest appearances and item numbers, and roles that had no substance, now it is only good meaty roles with potential in it (like Dhadkan). Following the success of the film, there have been many offers and good ones at that, instead of the usual fluffy roles.

The buzz in the industry is that you are looking gorgeous in Dhadkan, so didn't you ever want to back the film with a performance oriented movie rather than an action film like Indian where you have no scope for performance?
Indian is an action film but I have some importance in the plot other than sing and dance! I play Sunny's wife and the mother of his child. There are some circumstances that create trouble between Sunny and me, and we part ways. How it gets settled is the basic theme of the film, so I am integral to the plot of the film!

Due to the runaway success of Dhadkan you have got lot of good films with big banners under your belt like Badhai Ho Badhai with Anil Kapoor. How was it like working inn the film and what is it all about?
I am playing a Punjabi woman. The film deals in relationships, like the filmmaker's previous films Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rahte Hain and Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai. The film talks about different interpretations and perceptions of love and how it should ideally be. The basic theme of the film is: Love is to be given not asked for.

Your sister Shamita made a debut in Mohabbatein last year. How would you rate her as an actress?
I think Shamita is quite talented and has fantastic screen presence. Although she might be a little rough around the edges, once she gets the opportunity to work with directors who will bring out the talent in her, I am sure she will sparkle. And she should not settle for teenage roles; a different role maybe of a mature girl would do wonders for her image. I have always advised her to choose films that have some scope for her as an actress rather than a showpiece, instead of making the mistakes I did early in my career.

Do you have any thoughts on this? Feel free to send Jasmeen an e-mail @ Jasmeen Dugal.