Brightly popping flashbulbs, swarming paparazzi and the proverbial red carpet treatment, the iEmmy awards at Manhattan, New York have been an unforgettable experience for actor Simone Singh. In her designer Indian outfit, Singh made quite an impression on the international TV fraternity as she presented an award in the Arts programming category. Since her return to India on 29 November, Singh has been busy with her shooting for Aandhi, her short term project for Zee's Chausath Panne and the ongoing Heena on Sony. She spared time in between shots to describe her Emmys experience to Indiantelevision.com:

How were the iEmmys?
It's been quite an experience although it was only one day long. I presented the awards for Music and Architecture in the Arts programming category. The BBC representative who came to receive the award made quite a memorable speech.

People there were warm and welcoming. I was driven all the way to the awards function in a Maserati. To be present and be photographed on the red carpet was also entirely pleasant. There are all these flashbulbs popping, and the paparazzi just engulf you. They are all shouting, "Simone, look this way please!" or "Give me a smile, Simone." I have seen it happen to others but when it happened to me, it was a whole new experience. It was quite amusing, I must say.

We heard you were a hit out there.
(Laughs) Not exactly, I think it was my traditional outfit. Everyone was complimenting me on that. I was wearing an Arjun Khanna designed long jacket filled with Indian embroidery. I think it was chic, yet subtle in a way. UK actor Joanna Lumley (of The Avengers and Absolutely Fabulous fame) was quite keen to have my jacket.

How has been the response in India?
Great. The press of course has been publicising my trip. My colleagues too have been calling up to congratulate and ask how the trip was. Everyone in India was very happy for me.

Any new projects lined up?
Well, there's Aandhi for Zee. Although, the project is only four months long, it is quite an intensive one. And there's Heena. I have been shooting ever since my return to India last week and will be shooting till 27 December. I don't have a single day off in between. Tell me, where's the time to take on more work?