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There is a word for people like Rinke Khanna: elfin.

This elfin, though, has a mind of her own. True to her Leo fieriness, very sure of herself, her mind and her decisions, thank you. No regrets allowed.

That's perhaps why she went right ahead and worked on her first film without consulting anyone, least of all her family -- all actors, all keenly aware of the workings of the film industry.

That the film was a no-show at the BO didn't matter as much as the fact that Rinke got that role on her own steam.

One thing Pyaar Mein did do was expose her talent. That explains why she has a few big films in her kitty.

Including the much-hyped Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, due for release on Friday, October 6.

The film stars her and Sonali, opposite Govinda in that geometrical oddity, the love triangle.

Geometry aside, it's pure working chemistry that defines her relationship with Govinda. With a generous dollop of awe, discovers Lata Khubchandani:

So your career is looking good, these days?

Yes. I've just completed Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai and am shooting for Ketan Desai's film directed by David Dhawan. Then, there's Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, directed by Satish Kaushik and produced by Vashu Bhagnani.

Mahesh Manjrekar is being acknowledged as a successful director today. How has it been, working with him?

Mahesh gives you just the right amount of instruction. His way is to describe one key characteristic of the character. The way he does it, the whole picture falls into place.

Then he leaves it to you to do your own bit. And you can draw from your own experiences.

Jis Desh Mein is very rural-based. Govinda plays a shepherd; I play a town girl. A simple-hearted town girl, though, a little wary of people because of the way life has treated her.

Then she meets the shepherd. He is so straightforward that she falls in love with him.

Everyone wants to match wits with Govinda. How did you?

Actually, it was amazing! I was completely in awe of him.

He's such a busy person. He comes on to the sets, gets ready in ten minutes and gives such an efficient performance -- it just zaps you. He's quite a performer and is completely camera-friendly. That must take a lot to achieve.

Watching that kind of efficiency can be quite intimidating, really. It took me a while to relax and be comfortable with him.

In fact, I asked him to correct me and tell me if he thought there was something I could do better. I enjoyed his inputs and observations. Yes, I definitely learnt from him.

How have you changed since you started acting?

I think I've matured. I've become more aware, more observant of what is happening around me. And I draw from what I observe.

It's amazing how subconscious the process is whereby you start absorbing from life and people around you. It allows you so many variations in your performance.

I've also started watching more films and plays and learning from them.

You are working with David Dhawan, too -- rather a feather in your cap, isn't it?

He is the undoubted king of comedy. The film has Salman and Sharad Kapoor and me. I don't know what exactly I'm learning from David except that it's very comfortable working with him.

His cheeriness keeps the atmosphere light and gives you confidence to perform.

Satish Kaushik, on the other hand, is full of energy. He enthuses you. I've worked with him for only two days, but I know it will teach me something.

I realised that after doing just two scenes with Satish Kaushik. And I told him that. I think it also comes from the fact that he's an actor himself. He doesn't restrict you. After you finish shooting for a scene, he points out how you can refine it -- that works fine for me. It allows you to learn.

Tell us a bit about Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai.

Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai is Tushar Kapoor's (Jitendra's son) debut film. He's opposite Kareena Kapoor.

I play a young girl mature beyond her years. I play a level-headed girl who knows what she wants from life. She's rather like me, in that sense.

In fact, everybody calls me 'grandmother'!

What have you learnt from your family in terms of acting?

My sister (Twinkle) was very natural in her first film, but I think she fell into a pattern after that. I thought she was good in Mela except that her dubbing was done by someone else and sounded strange.

My father (Rajesh Khanna) was a very charming actor and very much his own person.

Mum (Dimple Kapadia) is a very intense actress, very focused and correct.

I have a totally new respect for her when I see her early films. I was watching Bobby the other day and I thought she was really something. She was so young, then.

We discuss a lot -- she tells me what she thinks of my work; I ask her for advice. It deepens my understanding of the craft.

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