Excerpts from the interview:

Q: What are you doing in this guy-oriented cast of Rajkumar Hirani's "Three Idiots"?

A: I've an effective role. And no power on this earth would've made me miss the chance of working with Hirani. I'm a lucky girl. I'm being offered one film every day. I don't have time to read scripts. I'll do so in March 2009 after I finish my current lot of films which includes Karan Johar's film with Saif. Normally a Bollywood actress does about 40 days' work. My directors are taking about 100 days with me. I've already given Karan 100 days for his film directed by Rensil D'Silva.

Q: Looking back, has it been a turbulent year for you?

A: I wouldn't call it turbulent. It was an exciting phase in my life when so many things rushed down on me at the same time. The last year was a turning-point in my life. But the end result is happy. Both, professionally and emotionally, I think I've come out a winner. I've tried to be as dignified about my personal life as possible. As for my work, god has been kind.

Q: Do you think you're lucky?

A: It's not just luck. I've worked really hard to get here. It's my perseverance that has got me where I am. And I owe my success to no one else but myself.

Q: Perseverance? You've begun to sound like Saif.

A: Yes, my vocabulary has increased. He makes me memorise some pages of the Oxford dictionary every day, ha ha. That's a joke. But seriously, he does speak very well. So I'm trying to catch up.

Q: Who's your favourite Khan?

A: Ah-ha. Do I have to spell it out?

Q: Is there anything you want?

A: I have it all. For me, the journey as an actress has just begun. And I'm not going to shift focus from it for four-five years.

Q: No marriage for four-five years?

A: I know, I definitely want to. But not at least for three years. The work I'm doing is giving me so much satisfaction. No 28-year-old can ask for more.

Q: People gave your relationship with Saif no more than six months?

A: There's absolutely no room for such negativity in my life. I only have place for people who are positive and who make me happy by sharing in my happiness. This is the best phase in my life. And I feel I'm in a place where I've never been before. As an actress I feel everyone and that includes me, expects things from me that are not generally expected from Bollywood actresses except maybe Kajol. Or my sister Karisma.

Q: Do you get enough time with Saif?

A: He's extremely loving and supportive. He knows how long it's taken me to get the work that I'm getting now. In fact, the best phase of my career started when Saif came into my life. Now he's enjoying this phase in my life along with me. That makes this phase even more special. The only thing I miss is time with my family and Saif. When I finish this schedule I head straight to Venice for Sajid Nadiadwala's "Kambakht Ishq".

Q: Are you and Saif doing a lot of endorsements together?

A: We're offered a lot of endorsements. But we are not doing any except a shampoo brand (Head & Shoulders). But we'll soon be signing on for endorsements. And we're doing another film for Asthvinayak. That starts in April 2009. We want it to be a fast and furious action film. Something larger-than-life. Saif is working very closely with the producers. He's trying to lock in on the script and director.

Q: You've changed so much in appearance and behaviour.

A: Ha, that's what you think. I'm still the same. It's just that I'm so busy. I've been working constantly. On top of that my house is being done up. There're a dozen things demanding my attention. I get 300 SMSes a day. I can't answer them personally.