Before Aashiqui 2, no one would have questioned Shraddha Kapoor's five scene appearance in the recently released Gori Tere Pyaar Mein. But today, many are wondering why Aashiqui 2's Aarohi had to return as Imran Khan's blink-and-miss Tam-Brahm fiance. Buzz is that she did the film for free hoping it'd be her ticket to the Dharma camp. "No, It was a friendly appearance for Puneet (director Puneet Malhotra). I loved working with Puneet and Karan Johar. People liked my South Indian look," says Shraddha. From the South to the North, Shraddha has just returned from Kashmir after the first schedule of Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider. Going by recent reports, locals of the Valley are still miffed about Kashmir being passed off as Manali in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, and are no longer all right with a Bollywood film crew disrupting their daily lives. And two days ago, the Kashmir schedule of Bhardwaj's film came to a standstill owing to protests by locals. However, Shraddha is hardly perturbed. "I had been to Ladakh, but this was my first trip to the Valley and it was like being in paradise. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the Valley and did not feel any bad vibes. I can promise that in our film Kashmir will be Kashmir. I'm playing a local girl and reached a day earlier to observe the locals and their unique sing-song way of speaking."

Her co-star in Haider, Shahid Kapoor, is all set to sacrifice his hair for the role. But few know that Shraddha had a close shave as well. She was supposed to chop off her tresses for Mohit Suri's The Villain. " My character in the film is a bit tomboyish who rides around in a Bullet. Since I am not too fond of wearing wigs, we discussed a haircut but eventually decided against it," she says adding, "I am having a blast shooting with Siddharth Malhotra. My character here is very different from what I played in Mohit's earlier film Aashiqui 2." No doubt she is happy romancing Siddharth onscreen, but she has also signed Gabbar with Akshay Kumar, who is much older than the actress. Ask Shraddha about it and pat comes the reply: "I've idolized Akshay for years. Moreover, I found the script of Gabbar so entertaining that there was no way I would have let the project go. "

Aashiqui 2 is one of the biggest hits of the year. So why hasn't she signed another film with Aditya Roy Kapur? "We haven't been offered any films together after Aashiqui 2," she retorts. And is Aditya more than a costar? "We're friends. Period," she laughs. So, what is the way to Shraddha's heart? "Just be honest and true to yourself," she says. Can we get a little more specific for all those aashiqs out there? "I have a huge appetite and I love ghar ka khana, particularly fried rawa. Also, ghar ka chai. Get me both and we can have a tea party," she quips. Ask Shraddha if she is as prolific in her ghar ka kitchen as she is onscreen and she admits to two specialities, Maharashtrian style mutton curry and Death by Chocolate Cake—something that tastes so divine, that it will take you straight to heaven, she sounds confident. And if someone were to betray her would he go straight to hell, like Love Ka The End? "Cheating is a definite no-no. My man has to be all mine or never mind!" she states emphatically.

One man who is completely hers is daddy dearest Shakti Kapoor who has been so happy post Aashiqui 2 that he can't stop smiling. "He did a cameo in my first film, Teen Patti. I was so nervous that I goofed up a couple of takes till he put me at ease," she reminisces. Growing up, did it ever bother her that she was the daughter of an onscreen baddie? "No, my dad was both an iconic villain and a popular comedian. So, I could only be proud of him. I loved his Crime Master Go Go act in Andaz Apna Apna and Raja Babu's Nandu," she says. She must be equally proud of her aunt, Padmini Kolhapure. Which of her films, if remade, would she like to star in? "I wouldn't dare star in a remake of her films. Maasi was so good. Fortunately my favorite film is Prem Rog and it can't be remade. It is impossible to replicate what Raj Kapoor did with that movie."