'I turned down 100 TV serial offers!'

Akanksha, granddaughter of the late Bollywood actor Premnath and famed actress of yesteryear, Bina Rai, is all set to make her film debut in Umesh Mehra's Yeh Mohabbat Hai.

Determined to make it big in tinselworld, Akanksha refused to consider the small screen, even refusing to work in her father Prem Kishan's mega serial, Noor Jehan in the lead role saying she would have nothing to do with small screen.

"I turned down at least 100 offers to work in television serials. I want to give my best to acting and prove myself as a worthy successor to Dada and Dadi," Akanksha told a film magazine.

Produced by Prem Kishan and Sunil Mehta under the the banner of Cinevista Eagle Plus Media, Yeh Mohabbat Hai casts Rahul Dev in the lead role.

Excited over her dream coming true, Akanksha says, "I've always wanted to enter films, but Papa did not want me to -- he wanted me to get married. I did not want to upset him so I didn't pursue this career earlier, though I always felt that acting was my passion."

After taking lessons from Roshan Taneja to hone her acting skills, she tried to convince her father that she wanted to work in films. He agreed reluctantly.

But when he saw the video of Akku -- as she is affectionately called -- in a scene in the film, Arth, tears rolled down his cheeks.

"He allowed me to enter the big bad world of Bollywood, provided I didn't resort to cheap movements or smooching scenes -- else he would show me the door!

"My mum was my greatest support. She is the man of the house and managed to convince Papa to let me enter films."

Akanksha wants a role which has substance, like the one she plays in her debut film.

"Looking glamourous is very important, but I will see to it that I don't look cheap. I'll wear clothes which suit my personality. I will never go in for exposure. My dad has a lot of of trust and confidence in me. I will never let him down, whatever the temptation."

In the film, Akanksha plays Shaheen, a Muslim girl who goes to amazing extent to get the man she loves. "I have an amazing role with several shades."

She has also been signed by D Rama Naidu in his latest venture, directed by K Ravi Shankar, opposite Fardeen Khan.

A cautious Akku says she doesn't want to sign on too many films and regret them later, like her cousin Kareena Kapoor. Which might account for why she turned down an offer from Venus Records & Tapes to play the romantic lead opposite newcomer Nakul Kapoor in a film to be direced by Deepak Anand.

As far as she is concerned, acting is essentially nothing but a lot of observation, retention and projection. "You should feel the pulse of the audience and relate to them if you want to floor them. Even today there is an aura about my Dadi's Anarkali and Taj Mahal.

"It is important to change with the times. Today, you will be booted out if you stick to only running around trees!" Akanksha avers.

UNI