DON'T MISS: Katrina on Salman

The view is that you have finally come out of Salman's shadow and have your own identity after Namastey London.

Unfortunately I am associated with a name that is just too big to ignore. But I have never found myself in anyone's shadow. I am still the same person so if the people's perception towards me has changed it doesn't make a difference to me.

He has apparently recommended your name to producers…

Again it's sad that people think this way. Look at who all I am working with – Yashraj, Anil Sharma, Vipul Shah, Anshay Kumar. None of these names are even remotely connected with Salman. They are a completely different group who Salman hardly interacts with. Casting doesn't work on personal equations.

Will you make a conscious effort to move away from Salman to prove you are on your own?

Why should I? I have never felt overshadowed by anyone's presence. I choose scripts not co-stars. But yes like every actress I want to work with as many actors as possible.

Were you offered Sarkar 2?

No. Anyway I had too small a role to bother about it.

Two years ago you were the youngest of the pack. Now with Deepika and Sonam around do you feel insecure about competition?

Thank God I am becoming a senior. Young faces will always come otherwise Bollywood will become stagnant. I don't stress over these things as I have already got much more than I had bargained for. In fact I believe signing a Yashraj Film marks a new level in my career. It's a high point in every actress's life and I am proud I have done it.

One of Shilpa Shetty's earlier B-grade films is being re-released to cash in on her popularity. What if Boom were to release again?

No way. I would definitely not be happy about it. That's a closed chapter; I don't even want to think about it.