I don't think they are a deciding factor to my career. This has never been my perspective from the day I started work in the industry. For me, some films worked and some didn't: If Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam worked then Aa Ab Laut Chale didn't.

Though you are the top heroine in the country, none of your recent films set the box office afire, did they?

I think it is the film that works and not the actors. Irrespective of my box office result, my distributors and producers are generous and tell me I bring value to film. And I am thankful to audiences and them for this support. My producers and distributors think positively about me. Just because my Kajra Re worked last year, they haven't just given me those [item] songs; they have given me different characters. I have taken risks in life.

I have enjoyed doing parallel cinema and regional cinema even after the success of Devdas. I have not gotten trapped in doing only blockbusters, because of insecurities. My audiences have freed me from insecurities. My director and producers have given me the luxury of doing cinema. I am happy to grow as an actor and not be trapped in successful formulas or working only in certain banners or successful pairings. I am free to work with different actors, and the director can choose my co-star -- and I am happy for that.

Don't miss: The Umrao Jaan special section

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