The name:
Neha Dhupia
Claim to fame:
Femina Miss India-Universe 2002. Will debut in the Bollywood production, Qayamat, opposite Ajay Devgan.
How Net savvy are you on a scale of one to ten?
I would rate myself a 5. There is so much to know about the Net. Every time I am online, I learn something new.
What do you do once you get online?
I keep in touch with friends via email. I travel a lot so I use the Net to find information about the place I am traveling to. Be it the local temperature, where I should stay, places I should visit, the local cuisine and things to avoid.
Any favourite sites?
I use google.com to search but I don't have any favourite sites. Once I get online, I could open cnn.com, usatoday.com or timesofindia.com to catch up on news when I am not in town. But one site I cannot do without is hotmail.com!
What do you like most about the Internet? What do you hate most about it?
I like the connectivity and how close knit it makes the entire world. I love the fact that I can keep track of my friend in London and Mumbai with equal ease.
What I hate about the Net is the junk mail. Why someone in the USA wants to spam me with credit card offers is beyond my understanding. Also, I think the Net is very addictive and that is a bit scary. Once you get online, you can be there for hours.
Another major disadvantage about being online is that you just cannot log off without hurting someone. I have 15 friends online and if I am in a hurry, I will have a friend pop up and say 'hi' just when I am ready to shut my PC. Then I have to be polite and hang on!
Any strange experience online?
Not really. Barring the junk mail, what I sometimes have trouble with is when I add unknown people to my MSN list, because I am so absent-minded! This creates a huge problem later on.
Do you indulge in ego-surfing?
A year ago, when I typed my name I would come up with no results. Today, there are pages upon pages. It's strange but fun to find old interviews and gossip. Makes me feel good that someone would actually devote space to write about me.
Have you thought of putting together your own Web site?
I would like to. In fact, I see that as the only way if one needs to get work in the international arena. My site would have lots of pictures and information about me. It would also be very systematic and organised. Pictures of Neha between 1-5 years of age. Then my work between 5-15 and finally 15 onwards. I was very impressed by Anagha Fowler's site, one of the first Indian models who went online. I want something similar.
Do you use the Net for work?
Not as much for films so far. But I have given interviews to newspapers and magazines in the UK and the US online. Also, I once did an entire deal online. Some people wanted me to visit their country as a Miss India and they persuaded me via the Net, that I should visit their country. Sure enough, because of their repeated emails I did take up the offer. But I would be worried about whether they are credible and I am being taken for a ride. However, in this case, they did come with good references.
Is there any one celebrity you'd love to chat online with?
I would love to chat with Bill Gates. To get know what really makes him tick and make so much money. Of course, that he owns hotmail.com is another plus!
One web-gadget you would like to own?
I would like to own a Web cam. That would be a fun device to own.
If the Net didn't exist...
My telephone bills would hit the roof. Life would also be very inconvenient.