Vickey Lalwani, TWF, Bollywood Trade News Network

Lara Dutta is in the news lately for her break-up with her live-in boyfriend Kelly Dorje. Despite intensive efforts to make her drop her guard, she does not discuss her private life. However, she is not sulking. Read what transpired when TWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani cornered her for a one-on-one chat:

What are you playing in Partner, which releases this Friday?

I am playing a snoopy, nosey journalist who is always hunting for scoops, hanging on window sills and chased down the streets. Often, she is in trouble, But there's a hero in her life Salman who keeps landing up wherever she finds herself in a hot soup.

This role must have helped you to understand a journalist's job?

I have always understood a journalist's job. I understand that you guys are just doing your job in a competitive industry.

So, how are you spending your time other than having work meetings?

I am planning to go to Bangalore to my parents for few days.

You said you understand a journalist's job. I can't refrain asking you about your split with Kelly?

No comments. I don't want to add to the speculation.

If you clarify, the speculation will in fact end...

I don't think so.

Your fans want to know...

I am answerable to my fans about my professional life. I will make sure that even if they don't like my film, they won't be disappointed with my work. But I am not answerable to them about my personal life.

It's said that Kelly was upset with your male-bonding with some co-actors...

What male bonding! I did Andaz and I was linked up with Akshay Kumar. Is it my fault that if the media falls for the most tried and tested ploy of promoting a film? Ask Kelly (laughs).

Well, I did speak to him today. But like you, he too did not spill the beans...

(Laughs)

Relationships and break-ups are commonly heard when an actor's film releases. Is the Kelly-Lara break-up a publicity stunt?

I don't know (laughs).

Okay, let's go back to Partner. Isn't it a copy of Hitched?

Partner is inspired from Hitched. The story is similar. There's a Casanova guy (Salman) who helps the fumbling guy (Govinda) to woo the woman of his dreams. David Dhawan has of course brought in his sensibilities into the film. And I must add something (pauses).

Go ahead...

Govinda is outstanding in the film. He has taken Partner to a different level. This is his real comeback film. I had very little interaction with him in Bhagam Bhag and did not realise his full worth.

About Salman?

Salman and his brother Sohail (producer) made me very comfortable. They treated me like family.

Your last film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (JBJ) didn't do well. It's rated as Yash Raj's biggest flop till date...

Post-mortems can be a dime-a-dozen. We worked very hard for it and were very disappointed when it didn't do well. Shaad has his own blend of cinema. If you see his previous film Bunty Aur Babli, some people had loved it but some people had even hated it. I think that I got away the most unscathed (laughs). I haven't signed anything on the dotted line after JBJ, but I am reading far more bigger and interesting scripts than ever before.

Apart from having work meetings, what else are you doing presently?

I might go to my parents in Bangalore for few days.