She’s not looking really at changing her “hot babe” image. But life’s going to be about striking a balance now. Sameera’s wanting a mix of roles - and is getting them, thank you. Fool'N'Final released recently, and Sameera unspools her thoughts.

Excerpts from an interview:
You play second fiddle to Ayesha Takia in Fool'N'Final. Was that fine with you?
There are 14 characters in the film, so no one has too much footage. But though there are no love songs or scenes as such, there is a romantic angle between Sunny Deol, who heads the cast, and me.
Besides, getting to work with Sharmila Tagore and Om Puri and sharing a dance with Shahid Kapoor were irresistible. I have been a great fan of Sharmilaji and we bonded so well! As for Shahid, he’s the best dancer we have after Hrithik Roshan.
What if you get an 'item' song with both Shahid and Hrithik?
Oh, I will probably lose ten kilos by the time we finish shooting it!
There’s no glamour element for you - you play a simple, middle-class girl lured to Dubai for a job. Then you escape from the flesh trade. Won't Sameera Reddy fans be disappointed?
I do not think so. Why do I have to do only the 'sexy' kind of roles or a certain kind of songs? I need to strike a balance. This year, I have some comedies and light roles coming up, beginning with this film.
Doing comedy is tougher as it is all about perfect timing. In Abbas-Mustan’s Race, I have a great role where I play dumb, and it was terrific working with them.
Will sexy Sameera be back, or has she quit the scene?
She will definitely be back!
Which are the other films in the reinvented Sameera’s bag?
I am thrilled that Mira Nair has signed me for Migration, which is being made in English and Hindi. I am doing two films with Buddhadeb Dasgupta - the Hindi Kaalpurush and the English The Voyuers, which is an interesting concept of privacy in today’s world of MMS, cameras and Internet. But that doesn’t mean that I am going away from mainstream cinema. I am from the world of Bollywood masala! I am doing a film with Kumar Mangat and some others. My main thrust is on a mix of roles. Every actor needs to grow.
There’s news of a patch-up with Sanjay Gupta.
I am used to gossip and rumours. I have realised that they come with the package of stardom, so they do no affect me any more. Let me just say that I am not in touch with White Feather Films after Plan and Musafir.
And are you seeing someone else?
You can write that I am single and on the lookout - but not for marriage! I would get bored reading in print about how I am having a great time with someone when I am actually sitting at home munching popcorn. But I am beginning to enjoy all this and seriously have begun to think that if you are not linked-up with someone your career is over!
What are the other bad aspects of the package?
I have overcome one more. I was told that I should be reserved and aloof as a star. People have observed that I am a lighter personality today. So one day I thought, ‘Why not be me?’
How much is success about luck?
In this line, things can work any way. Look at the U-turns that Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty have made.
Haven't Hindi films too taken a U-turn?
You're telling me! I saw Cheeni Kum recently and there are lines and scenes that seemed too bold from even my viewpoint! India has changed, and we need to understand that. Other directors like Vishal Bhardwaj and Anurag Basu too are trying out new things.