"SRK is a charmer I couldn't keep my eyes off him," - Yuvika

Models, we often hear, are eager to make it in Bollywood. But Yuvika Chaudhary, who follows up her cameo in Om Shanti Om with a lead role in Summer 2007, is a selfproclaimed exception. It took a lot of chasing on the part of the producers to get her to do this film, says Yuvika.

"Every time they came and said 'Do it, do it, do it', I refused," says the actress, who has been paired in the film with Sikandar Kher She is, however, not immune to fame. "Though I was hardly there (in OSO), people still call me Dolly, after the character What more can I say?" she asks, not a little proud.

The film's director Farah Khan and star Shah Rukh Khan, she says, were impressed by her work. According to Yuvika, Farah had to do a bit of wooing, too. "I was the first one to be approached for the role in OSO," she says. "Farah left the choice to me, saying, 'If you refuse the role, only then will I approach somebody else." It was the thought of working with Shah Rukh that clinched the deal. "He is a charmer I couldn't keep my eyes off him," she says.

Her most prized possession is a message from Farah, saying, "Shah Rukh is really impressed with you and so am I," It took her a long time to accept Summer 2007, Yuvika continues. Modelling assignments, including a cola ad with Kunal Kapoor where Farah spotted her, were a more attractive proposition.

Here, too, her idol influenced her decision. "I was turning down film offers, but then Kirron aunty Anupam uncle, Farah and even SRK told me to take up Summer 2007 SRK said, 'In the initial stages of my career; even I did films that I thought wouldn't do the magic."

Her initial reluctance gave way to interested involvement as the shooting progressed: "I realised that Summer 2007 is destiny's gift to me. It taught me that acting is a lot of hard work." As she sets out on the road to stardom, Yuvika still retains the young fan's gushing enthusiasm for King Khan. "When I looked into his eyes, it was hard to believe that he is in his forties," says the actress. It was a bit of magic, that overwhelming star quality. It's magic ghat Yuvika hopes will a one day be hers, too.

Minakshi Saini, Hindustan Times