The 'don't mind' lady, Sonali Bendre has won quite a few hearts just by her smile. Off late, she hasn't been much in the gossip columns, in a one-on-one, no holds barred interview only on Cover Story, airing this Sunday, 4 April 2004 at 10:00 pm on Star World, the gorgeous dame tells Vir Sanghvi just why she isn't looking out for publicity.

Fresh from her success in Amol Palekar's Anahaat, Bendre will talk about how money had motivated her to take up modeling and films, and how today she is looking for passion to motivate her work, says a company release.

She will soon be appearing in the Telegu version of Munnabhai MBBS with Southern superstar Chiranjeevi. She has also taken a plunge into theatre with her debut in Aapki Sonia, a sequel to the much-acclaimed Tumhari Amrita, which had a sterling cast of Shabana Azmi and Farooque Shaikh. At 26, Sonali has seen it all-- financial security, a fairly successful career, a happy marriage and life's simply wonderful.

Excerpts from the interview
Critiques said you were too beautiful to be talented?
I had no clue about what I was doing in front of the camera. If I was the producer I would have never taken myself on.

What motivated you to get into films? Was it the money, the glamour, the fame?
It was the money. Initially, I did it to collect enough money for my education.

What do you do when men hit on you?
Most of the time I was too naïve to even understand if someone's hitting on me. But it is not all that difficult. I have interacted and worked with a lot of men. As long as you know what you want, they make great friends. Some of my best friends have been male.

With all the work, wasn't there a decree of loneliness? When did you meet Goldie?
However close you are to your family, there was a decree of loneliness at the end of the day. That's when I realized that there is more to life than just work. Goldie helped me to understand that. We met on the sets of Naraaz. Three years of friendship and four years of dating finally led to our marriage.

Are you doing any more films after Anahaat?
I am still waiting for one role, which is going to wake me, and I'll be ready to stay away from home for four months for work. I am looking for passion in my work.