I'm not bold enough for item numbers: Sonakshi Sinha

New Delhi: Shatrughan Sinha's daughter Sonakshi's launchpad Dabangg has one of the raunchiest item numbers, but she isn't a part of it. Ask her if she ever wanted to be in Malaika Arora Khan's shoes for the song, the shy debutante says a clear no.

"No I never wanted to be in the song. It's because I am a shy person. I can't be so bold and daring and I think Malaika is fabulous in the song (Munni badnaam) and at what she does. But that's not me...I didn't want to do it," Sonakshi, who is debuting opposite Salman Khan, told IANS.

Considering so many actresses are giving a nod to item numbers, will she think of doing one in future?

"No. I am not open to item numbers. I am happy with what I am doing," she said with a coy smile.

The 23-year-old studied fashion designing and was 30 kg more than what she is today. But a promise given to her by superstar Salman Khan changed her life.

"Salman had promised me that he will give me a break if I lose weight. So I started working hard...It took me two years to get into shape and he fulfilled his promise. Salman was very particular about my gym routine and pushed me into it as I was very lazy and lethargic," she said.

Now the actress looks fit and beautiful - all excited for her first film to hit the screens in September. In Dabangg, her role is of a village belle, Rajo, who plays an important part in changing the life of Chulbul Pandey, the protagonist played by Salman.

Sonakshi is candid when she says she always wanted a more glamorous debut but has no complaints about her first film.

"I did want a glamorous debut. Who doesn't want it? But then these days who knows what will work and what won't. The film has turned out well; it has an actor as popular as Salman and I feel it's a nice project to start off with. I think I made a good decision," the youngster said.

But Sonakshi, who was in the capital for the music launch of Dabangg, intends to be very selective about her future films.

"I don't have to struggle a lot and sign up films frivolously, I don't have to buy a house or car, I am well settled with my family. So I want to work at my own pace and so I will be and can be extremely choosy about my films," she said.

So is the luxury of being choosy thanks to being Shatrughan Sinha's daughter?

"There are both sides to being a star kid. For my brother (Luv Sinha), Sadiyaan didn't prove to be a successful launch. So it's easy for some, and tough for some. It's easy for star kids in the sense that our parents have been in the industry for a long time and they have contacts; so filmmakers are that much more accessible."

"But it also has a downside - people have a lot more expectations from you. For me, it has been a beautiful journey so far, and I believe no journey is complete without both ups and downs equally. So I am very happy," Sonakshi said.