Poonam Pandey: I am a media-created sensation

Starlet Poonam Pandey, now an actor, hit the national headlines two years ago when she promised to strip if the Indian cricket team emerged victorious in the World Cup.

She modelled for 29 calendars for 2011, including Gladrags and Kingfisher, and reportedly posed naked for an international online publication after the Kolkata Knight Riders lifted the IPL trophy in 2012.

Earlier this year, Poonam  made her acting debut as a seductress in the Hindi film Nasha.

Now, Poonam makes her Kannada film debut with an item number in a film titled Love Is Poison.

In this interview on the sets of the movie, Poonam Pandey talks about the item number and controversies surrounding her.

How did you get this item song in the Kannada film Love Is Poison?

When I first heard this song, it got me moving. I believe that if you like a track when you hear it for the first time, that means the song is good.

This song was a hit from the word go for me. I didn't have enough time to understand the lyrics.

I haven’t heard the story of Love Is Poison, but betrayal of love seems to be the theme. 

How does it feel when you see so much curiosity and expectations about your first item song?

It feels great that people have so many expectations from me. Their love means a lot to me.

Certainly, I would love to be in the middle of controversies just to entertain them.

Why did you take up an item song?

I didn't want to let go of this opportunity because the song is so good. I got many offers from the South but the projects weren't good -- either the story or the songs.

I was getting paid well to do the item number. Why would I say no to such an offer?

How do you react to the reviews you got for your first Hindi film Nasha?

I felt good and proud about the reviews. It was my debut movie. Nasha had a story and it was not just about kissing and intimate scenes.

Probably, that is the reason why people liked the movie. The reviews sounded good to me, saying the movie was spicy and that I spiced it up with some masala.

Has modelling taken a backseat?

No. I continue to do modelling. If I like a project that comes my way, I will definitely do it.

What kind of work would you like to do henceforth? Will you do more item numbers?

You will certainly see me again onscreen. I am getting quite a few offers from down South. It is still early to talk about them though.

I am game for item numbers if the offers are good. I don’t want to be seen doing just skin shows or intimate scenes.

I want to be different because my fans will become bored if I continue to do the same things that I have been doing now.

I want to be choosy and not grab everything that comes my way.

How do you react to all the media attention you get ever since that World Cup remark?

The media has made me and has been with me all this while.

The media is my godfather. I respect my fellow twitterers who follow whatever I do. I am here today because of their love.

I am a media-created sensation. I feel great because media is backing someone like me who is not a superstar or a big star.