Amruta Khanvilkar

I don't know where things are going wrong. I refused 22 offers for lavani numbers and five films. I was not happy with the kind of offers coming my way. Even for the lavani number 'Vajale Ki Bara' in 'Natarang,' I was the last option. I was finalised one day before the shoot was to begin.

Commercials certainly pay more than films. I was pleasantly surprised at the profitability of commercials when I did my first ad for a popular soap brand years ago. I was paid a huge amount of money for a mere 30 seconds of screen presence. After that, ads have been a regular feature in my career.

I don't regret any of my decisions. But yes, I feel that I should have planned my career well in Bollywood. But then again, I did not have any guidance. There was no one to tell me the dos and don'ts.

Though films have established me as an actor, dance has given me an identity and a boost to my career, and I am thankful to God for that.

With Marathi cinema, content is king. It has always been driven by content. I am lucky that I don't have to leave home to seek a job elsewhere. The industry is here at home.

As Maharashtrian actors, we are very conscious about our decisions in Bollywood. It's not cakewalk. Bollywood is vast, and there is a lot of competition. I don't want to be doing something small there.

I am closest to my mother, as she is my rock, my pillar of strength, and my world. Not only has she stood by me through all times - happy, sad, and otherwise - but there have even been moments when I had completely lost hope, and her immense belief in me had lifted me up.

My emotions are usually my weakness, but they are my strength while acting.

Himanshu and I travel together whenever possible, but there are times when I like to travel with my mother and maasi. It is really shocking that trolls comment on that, too. They say 'Don't you get along with your mother-in-law that you don't take her along?' Now, who would accept such remarks about one's mother?

I love kids a lot. I love to spend time with them. They give me the energy to live, and I would love to bring a smile on their faces.

Even if actors ask for more money, will producers fulfill their demands? They might just show us the door.

I am very uncomfortable being romantic. I can be funny; I can be all over the place. I can be anything but romantic.