Rat race might as well mean a race of the said rodents. That's how much Rinke Khanna values the term.

She has no intentions of joining the rest of her Hindi film counterparts in the number game.

She's happy just trying to find her feet -- and her identity -- in the industry.

After a disastrous beginning with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi and a miniscule role in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, she now hopes to make her presence felt with Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai:

Tell us about your role in Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai.

I play a girl who is studying to be a doctor. Very sensible, very practical, very focused and very driven towards what she does.

How she changes in the course of the film from a purely practical person to making a decision ruled by her heart is what my role is all about.

I am not like that in person. I am more ruled by my emotions and don't completely identify with the girl I am playing. But that was the challenge -- it was exciting.

I don't know what the audience will feel about my character when they walk out of the theatre after watching this film.

Everybody has a different perspective. For me, two plus two will always equal four. It might not for a lot of people.

What was it like working with Kareena Kapoor and Tusshar Kapoor?

Tusshar is a very nice, simple person. Someone who has the aptitude to learn and is continuously trying to get better at what he is doing.

Besides, he is extremely well bought up. I have known him for some time now, so it was very comfortable to work with a friend.

Kareena, on the other hand, is someone I have known earlier, but have gotten to know better during the course of the film. She is friendly and fun to hang out with. We have chatted a lot and laughed a lot.

As long as you accept people for what they are and give them the space to be themselves, I think it is fine.

You are all star kids. Did you see any obvious mannerisms that the three of you have inherited from your parents?

Actually, Tusshar happened to watch a scene being canned. And he remarked how much I looked like my mother when I am conveying anger.

I think that's bound to happen, don't you think?

Any fun incidents on the sets while shooting for the film?

Oh yeah! I almost had my arm twisted once. There was this fight sequence in which the actor with whom I was enacting kept pulling my arm. He kept pulling harder and harder -- but I kept quiet.

And then the director asked for another take. I was like "No way! I just had my arm pulled out!"

Pretty painful that experience was. But I guess it's all part of the job.

Does it bother you that you have only a parallel role to play in the film? Also, you are nowhere in the promos of the film.

I'm sure the director and producer know what they are doing. I'm sure they have a well-planned strategy to follow.

However, I am the so-called surprise packet of the film.

As for Kareena, no. I don't have any problems at all playing a part alongside her. Why should I? My competition is with myself!

I signed on this film because when it was narrated to me, I saw myself adding some value to the film. I could visualise myself in this character. I wondered what would be running in her mind. It's not a different role, but I knew I could do something different with it.

It's completely different from my role in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai. No short clothes, no arm, no leg. Nothing.

I am not in the rat race. I would rather work on my performances, be appreciated and let one film lead to another.

If it does not happen, it would bother me. But I am not going to take it personally.

Right now, I am working on a film with David Dhawan and in Ramgopal Varma's Company. Now that is one character that has kept me on my toes ever since we started shooting for it.