In search of roles

In search of roles

“I play myself in the movie. As Pooja Batra, I judge a pageant to select the next Miss India. The producers of the movie and the director, Sagar Ballary, wanted me to do the role as they thought it would be true to the character on screen,” Pooja said in a statement.

The leggy beauty, who was crowned Miss India Asia-Pacific in 1993, says her past experience in modelling and judging came in handy for the role.

“Being a Miss India myself and having judged many Miss India pageants in real life, it was fun working with Tusshar (Kapoor), Shreyas (Talpade), Minissha (Lamba), Pia (Trivedi) and Sagar. I had a great time hanging with all of them on the sets. Also it was great meeting Madhur Bhandarkar (who also has a cameo),” she added.

Pooja, who has earlier featured in over 21 movies including Virasat, Haseena Maan Jaayegi and Nayak - The Real Hero, shifted to Los Angeles after her marriage.  But earlier this year, she filed for divorce and is now looking forward to more work in Bollywood.

“I’m definitely open to more offers as well,” she said. Produced by Horseshoe Pictures and Alliance Entertainment, Hum Tum Shabana will release on Friday.