he past decade in B-town may have seen the skirts rise higher and the cleavage plunge deeper as aspirations become edgier. But Amrita refused to sign up for the skin fest. “I was never comfortable wearing deep necklines. I’d rather wear a nice deep back instead,” she smiles. “But I’ve worn shorts. I have a girlie frame so I can wear them without looking vulgar. I’ve no restrictions as such.” She dismisses that success is about hogging headlines and grabbing eyeballs. “People tell me I haven’t got my due. But what does ‘getting your due’ mean? Does it mean more ad films? More magazine covers? More trophies? Even if I were to compare myself with other actors, I wouldn’t want to do some of the work they’re doing. I’ve done what I was comfortable doing,” she argues. “The industry has the tendency to get carried away by the flavour of the month. But if they want performance they can depend on me,” claims the actor whose performances in Ishq Vishk, Welcome To Sajjanpur and Vivah were lauded. “I don’t think I’ve missed out on anything. What I’ve gained is this incredible ease in my performances. Earlier, if I had to do an emotional scene I’d drain myself two hours before it. I’d move around with a morose face and when anyone asked what happened, I’d say, ‘Let the scene get over and then we’ll talk’. But now I know how to tap my energy. What took me two hours earlier takes me two minutes now.”

She avows ‘buttering up co-stars and directors doesn’t get you anywhere. “I’m not an extrovert. I choose to be with people I am comfortable with. I wouldn’t do anything against my character for the sake of work. And I’m sure no director would compromise on his vision for his personal equation. Soorajji (Barjatya) needed me for Poonam in Vivah. So the role came to me, even though many actresses had approached him,” shesays with pride. The soft-spoken director and Amrita form a mutual admiration society. “The Rajshris are sensitive to everyone around. Right from the time you walk in they keep inquiring, ‘Are you good? Have you eaten?’ They’re kind not only to the lead actors but also to someone who’s playing a munimji or a secretary in the film. Even when Soorajji narrates a subject he asks, ‘We want to work with you; do you want to work with us?’ It’s not like, ‘She better be at her best, she’s walking into the Rajshri office’.” She calls out to her spot boy to get her phone. And reads out Barjatya’s SMS to her after watching the promos of Love U…, “Take care, eat well and sleep well... Your strength is your feminity and grace Amrita!”

Closer home too she’s had a brush with fans. “There was a guy who came from Sholapur to meet me. He wanted to gift me a guitar. He stood outside the telephone booth near my house for days. One day, out of desperation, he called up and revealed his wish. So I invited him on the set, took photographs with him and accepted his gift,” narrates the actor who confides she also gets ‘flirtatious compliments’. She’s been single for a while. But recently there have been strong rumours about her long-distance relationship with Neil Kulkarni, an NRI orthopedic surgeon based in San Francisco. That she denies it doesn’t come as a surprise. “Don’t believe anything unless I proclaim about my relationship on TV or in print. Of course, I’d let my fans know what’s happening in my life. But I’ll make the announcement at the right time. Marriage can wait for now.”