Shilpa Shetty speaks her heart out to her fans about her love, career, and about how she is creating a brand image for the IPL champions Rajasthan Royals

Q: Now that you are part-owner of the Rajasthan Royals what plans do you have for the team?

A: If you're asking me this to find out how keenly I'm interested in this new venture then let me tell you I'm hands on into it. When Raj Kundra and I decided to take the plunge into the IPL, we did it with our eyes open and after much deliberation. In hindsight, it appears uncanny because among all the IPL teams I've always felt the most connected with the Rajasthan Royals.

Q: What would your contribution to the team be?

A: Well I am not going to bullshit myself into believing I've been brought in for my business acumen. The team had it all. They needed the glamour quotient and for that I am here. But please, I am not going to be one of the pom-pom girls on the field, if that's what the spectators expect. I'm certainly not going to be the eye candy of the venture.

Q: So where will your glamour quotient come in?

A: In the music video, to begin with. Our next move is to shoot a music video. We want it to be the slickest and the best. Of course, I'll be in it. Isn't that a given? I've so many commitments in the coming months including my two films Sunny Deol's 'The Man' and R. Sarath's 'Desire' to complete. I'm not signing films crazily. So I can devote the time I want for the IPL.

Q: Will Raj direct the music video?

A: Ah, that would be telling. Let's see. Raj is a crazy cricket fan. And why shouldn't he be? He's an Indian who lives in England. All Indian men are crazy about cricket. And everyone knows cricket was born in England. So Raj has a double reason to buy a part of the IPL.

Q: What about you?

A: I love cricket. I've inherited it from my father who's the craziest cricket fan I've ever met. The Rajasthan Royals is my gift to my father.

Q: I thought it was Raj's Valentine gift for you?

A: Please! I'm sure there're other gifts awaiting me for Valentine's Day.

Q: Like a marriage proposal?

A: That's mine for the asking anytime. Now that Raj is shifting business interests in India we just need to find the right moment to take the plunge.

Q: The Bollywood-cricket merger seems to be expanding?

A: It had to be that way. Shahrukh Khan and then Preity Zinta went for the IPL. For me, the right moment to do so was when Raj was ready for it. Now I must make sure I've enough time to devote to the Rajasthan Royals. I'll be there for their first match in March and all subsequent matches. Yeh mera vada hai (I promise that).

Q: So do you believe in destiny or karma?

A: I'm a believer of destiny and I believe I'm destiny's child. I've seen the highs and I've seen the lows and I believe things happen for a reason and always for the best. Maybe this was all meant to be and maybe Big Brother worked as a catalyst in a bigger issue like racism, which was important to be broached. Maybe it had to happen this way and I'm glad that I could help it. How it's worked for me is that it's been able to open up doors for the Indian film industry. We can actually think of premiering our film in Leicester Square, so what better compliment? So yeah, it's all karma.

Q: How did 'Desire' happen?

A: Sarath wanted me to do the script for a year and a half but I kept putting it away. I had no time to look through it but he was adamant. He had seen me perform in London at the Miss Bollywood concert and was sure that I was the only one who could play Goutami. Goutami is an Odissi dancer and a stage performer. Later, he told me had gotten on board the biggest superstar in China, so I said 'Great! Let's start work.'

Q: Do you have any prior preparation for the character you play?

A: I'm a Bharatanatyam exponent but since I play an Odissi dancer, I had to rehearse for it and that was difficult. The film also came at a time when I had received 15 stitches on my foot, so I had to work doubly hard for it.

Q: What's that one desire you have?

A: I don't want to share that but then all desires come to an end when you attain nirvana.