Rs 2 cr too less to strip on TV

Model Poonam Pandey wants to prove her mettle as an actress, skips television to pursue celluloid dreams

Flooded by offers to star in reality shows, model Poonam Pandey has her hands full as of now. Her life and career went on a roller coaster ride ever since she offered to go commando for the World Cup winning Indian Cricket team. The Men in Blue ensured that the trophy stayed at home for the next four years, and Poonam has had the time of her life answering the all-important question -- so when is she going to live up to her promise?
In a chat, we quizzed her on all that and more.

The first salvo shot at the leggy lass was about her featuring in a popular reality show. The buzz is that Poonam has been offered a whopping Rs 2 crore to star in the reality show. However, the 20-year-old informs us that this is news to her.

"I have no idea who has circulated this news. In fact, I found out about the offer when I read it on a website. It said that I had been offered a huge amount to strip on the show," said Poonam. She adds, "But tell me, isn't Rs 2 crore too less an amount to strip on national television? I have been offered close to 30-odd reality shows, but I don't want to be known as a 'Reality Queen'. My aim is to prove my mettle in Bollywood."

When asked about her ventures in Bollywood, she said that currently there are a few offers but she isn't keen on them. The Khans and the A-list is on her mind. "Over the years Salman Khan has worked with several newcomers and I am hoping I get lucky too," she adds. Om Shanti Om, Dabangg and Band Baaja Baarat have all been runaway hits with newcomers, and Poonam is hoping for a similar big bang debut in Bollywood.

With the evolving nature of the audience, movies laced with expletives, lyrics with acronyms and an array of intimate scenes are being accepted and appreciated at the box office. "The taste of the audience is changing rapidly, and we can see how the song DK Bose became such a popular hit. Heroines are willing to pose in bikinis and even do intimate scenes. The audience has evolved, and I am no different," she says.

Bold is the way to go
"As a person I am quite bold and forthright, and that shows in my work too. I can shoot as many bold scenes, or action sequences as the script demands. I am a director's actor," says Poonam. Being focused on her career is the secret to her success. In fact, she has just bought a brand new Mercedes that she is gifting her father. "It's a surprise for him. He always wanted to own a Merc and I am just fulfilling his dream."