Whenever in fix, I take Salman's help: Zarine Khan (Lead superseding earlier story)

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Relationship rumours keep newcomers in the news and something similar happened to Zarine Khan, born and brought up here, when she debuted opposite Salman Khan in 'Veer'. But she has no qualms admitting that when she is in trouble, she falls back on him.

'I don't know about camp, but, yes, I believe in being loyal to the person (Salman) who brought me to the industry. He doesn't have any block in his head. In professional life, I am free to do whatever I like. I do not have a Bollywood background and do not know a lot of people here; so wherever I am in a fix, I fall back on him (Salman),' Zarine told IANS.

'I was a struggling model and was looking for some kind of work to take care of my family. I was doing small print ads now and then for saris. One day I got a call from Mukta Arts. They called me on the sets of 'Yuvvraaj'. There I met Salman. When I asked for his autograph, he said, 'No sweetheart you will sign autograph for the world'. Later I got to know that he has selected me for the film,' she added.

Zarine has been roped in for 'Housefull 2' and says it will help her in breaking her image.

'I really wanted to do this film because I wanted to break the perception of people who thought that because I am from the UK, I can't speak Hindi and I am not fit for a particular look. I wanted to break the image I had during 'Veer'. I think 'Housefull 2' will help me in proving my point,' she said.

For the sequel to the 2010 comedy 'Housefull', director Sajid Khan has cast a new set of actresses - Zarine, Asin Thottumkal and Jacqueline Fernandez who did an item song in the first instalment. The male leads have also been re-shuffled slightly - while Akshay Kumar has been retained, John Abraham is the new entrant.

Zarine's weight issue followed her to 'Housefull 2' too - she has been asked to get into shape for the comedy.

'The film excites me as well as makes me nervous because the role in the movie is ultra-glamorous and I am expected to be super-fit. I am really trying hard. We are going to start shooting in the mid of this month. I have a very long way to go in very little time.

'The most important thing for me is weight loss because the only thing I was told was to get into proper shape,' said Zarine who doesn't mind working in a multi-starrer.

'It's a setback for a newcomer not to have a Bollywood background. If you have a father or someone who is from here, then you don't have to suffer the partiality that happens.'

But the positive response to her item song 'Character Dhila' with Salman in 'Ready' has raised her hopes.

' 'Veer' was a dream debut with Salman. Everything was so good, but the film didn't do well. It was written off everywhere, my weight was criticised. I was wondering what went wrong, why no one is supporting me? The media just broke me off. Whatever event I attended, they wrote about my dressing, my weight again and again.

'I was very disappointed. After 'Character Dhila' becoming a hit, people's perspective about me has changed. People have started accepting me,' said Zarine.

Asked if she has any other project in her kitty, she said, 'After 'Housefull 2' I might be doing another film that I am not sure of as yet, but it's not with him (Salman).