From Muscat to Mumbai to Bollywood, a beauty queen debuts

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) She did her schooling in Muscat and her graduation in Mumbai. Now, as former Miss India World Sarah Jane Dias debuts opposite Abhishek Bachchan in Bollywood, she says her ultimate dream is to be a performer.

"When I was growing up, I wanted to sing, I wanted to dance. Basically, I wanted to be on screen, - small, big screen, whatever. With my friendly terms with the camera, I realised my love for acting," Sarah, whose first film "Game" releases Friday, told IANS in an interview.

She admits to having initial inhibitions.

"I was shy. I was nervous. I had jitters, which may happen to anyone even after doing any number of films. But Abhishek's attitude towards me was such that it became easy. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Sarah, who got a banner like Excel Entertainment to launch her.

Sarah did her schooling in Muscat and graduation from Mumbai's Mithibai College.

In a time of item numbers, Sarah is trying to be different with her song "Mehki Mehki" in "Game". She describes it as a burlesque number and says it will mark a new trend in the industry.

"It is my first film and my first ever solo song, so there was a lot of pressure. It's a burlesque song - not an item number and not something that has been done ever before on the Indian screen. It would be a new trendsetter because it is different," Sarah said.

She loves item numbers "Sheila Ki Jawani" and "Munni badnam hui" but was keen to try out something different.

"I love 'Sheila' and 'Munni'. It would have been easier for me to do something like that because I have seen it. But I have never seen any other star do something like 'Mehki Mehki'. I had no reference for the song. The attitude, the moves were very different and technical. It was very challenging because I am not a trained dancer," said Sarah, 28.

Before venturing into movies, the model-turned-actress, who won the Pantaloons Femina Miss India World in 2007, hosted "Get Gorgeous", a supermodel hunt show for Channel V.

"Game", an action thriller, has been shot in exotic locations of Istanbul, London and Bangkok and Sarah plays Abhishek Bachchan's love interest in it. Kangana Ranaut and Shahana Goswami will also be seen.

"I play Maya, who starts facing difficulties in life from a very young age. She always finds herself stuck in not-so-happy circumstances. She tries to escape that and lands up in a mess. Somewhere down the line she falls in love with Abhishek's character," she said.

She is overwhelmed by the warm response.

"I want to do lots of films. I am very happy that the industry has welcomed me so warmly and so quickly. So much of buzz is being created around me. I am really happy," said the newcomer who does not want to limit herself to Bollywood.

"I want to try everything. I want to be part of every genre and not limit myself. I think our industry is growing, it's expanding, people are finding new ways of expressing their emotions through new films and I want to be part of it."

Commenting on her future projects, she said: "I am in talks with two-three big directors. By the April end, I will start shooting for at least two films. But can't reveal about them at such a nascent stage."

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