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Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; March 26, 2015)

Now that her daughter Saira is three years old, Lara Dutta is back in action. First she judged a TV show Miss Diva Universe and is now gearing up to make her comeback to films with Fitoor and Singh Is Bliing. Ask her about it and she smiles, “For three years I was extremely selective about the kind of work I wanted to do and most importantly, Saira is my priority. With the kind of lives Mahesh (Bhupathi) and I lead, it is important that one parent is constant. However, now that Saira has grown a little I get three hours in a day to myself, so I am taking up work, though it’s a small start.”

Singh Is Bliing will see her teaming up with Akshay Kumar again after Bhagam Bhag and Housefull. “Akshay was the first reason I said yes to the film,” says Lara. Though she doesn’t divulge her role in the film, the leggy beauty says that it’s in a genre that she enjoys. “I have done comedy before, but this takes it to another level. You will see me playing a character that I have never essayed before. It is challenging,” says Lara.

As for Fitoor, it is common knowledge that it is based on Charles Dicken’s classic novel Great Expectations. While the characters of Katrina Kaif, Rekha and Aditya Roy Kapur are taken from the book, Lara’s character doesn’t exist in the novel. “It’s a new character introduced in the film, so it better be under wraps,” she grins.

Ask her about the delay in Chalo China, the sequel to Chalo Dilli and she says, “It’s Eros’ call when they want to go on the floor.” But weren’t there reports about the film being stuck due to lack of financiers as it will be shot abroad? “No, everything from the pre-production to the music is ready,” quips Lara.

The actress has just lent her name to the Fair & Lovely Foundation for women empowerment. Says Lara, “Ever since I became Miss Universe, I have been working towards gender equality. I was the goodwill ambassador for United Nations and it was important for me to find something that aligns with my thought process. For the last 10 years, this foundation has not only given scholarships to girls (for education), but has started funding their vocational training and start-ups. I was excited to meet these girls from various parts of the country.”