Kashmira Shah, the image that the name conjures, seems like a contradiction in terms of Indian sensibilities. But that is precisely what many would consider to be the foremost cause behind her resounding success. After all, she is the fabulously endowed siren, whose scantily clad appearances in Bollywood films have made her a talk of the town. So far she has refused to conform to the lackluster stereotype of an actress on the rise. No she won't play the part of the so-called traditional oppressed Indian babe. No she won't conceal her sexuality under layers of stifling clothes. Her sexuality is the reason for her pride and she refuses to be cowed down by any false notions of Victorian prudery.

In many ways Kashmira Shah epitomizes the idea of the new liberated Indian woman. Rebellion against tradition becomes easy, if you are as avant-garde as Kashmira Shah. At the tender age of 16 she had decided that she would enter the world of Film Industry. When she broke this news to her conservative family all hell broke loose. Only her mother supported her and together they, the mum and the daughter, walked out of their patriarchal family. Kashmira got a portfolio shoot done and started meeting people who count in the Bollywood hierarchy. The going was tough, but Kashmira refused to give up, she believed that it was her destiny to succeed eventually, and that hope of success kept her going.

Her first big break came in 1997 when Aziz Mirza cast her in Yes Boss. The public appreciated Kashmira's role but it was disappointing for her when the bigger stars in the films hogged all the publicity leaving nothing for a debutant like her. About her Yes Boss experience, Kashmira says, "After seeing the public reaction and what the media had to say I think I deserved a wee bit of publicity during the film's promotion. I believe that one should love one's work deeply and passionately. One might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely. Work is work when you don't enjoy it. I enjoyed doing the film and what really matters is that the end result is looking excellent and people are accepting me as a good performer after this film."

But she need not have worried about the publicity factor, for her next few releases were set to turn her into a superstar who could literally dance her way into the hearts and minds of her fans. There were films like Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Koi Kissi Se Kam Nahin, Saazish in which she had small but pivotal roles. Then came Dulhan Banoo Mein teri, a film that saw Kashmira performing a lead role for the first time. It was her negative role of a terrorist in the super hit Jungle that finally catapulted her into the big league. Directed by Ram Gopal Verma the film was inspired by the life of the sandalwood smuggler, Veerappan. Her Jungle success was followed by a lead supporting role in Janasheen released in 2002.

As far as her love life is concerned, Kashmira has always been dogged by rumors about her many flings with Bollywood personalities. At the time of the release of Yes Boss, the rumor mills were buzzing with titillating tales of Kashmira's deep involvment with one of the films producers, the Venus bosses. Since then there have been other rumors linking Kashmira to other personalities. But Kashmira chooses to remain silent on the issue of her love life. After all, she's got the talent, and that is what it takes to make it in this big, bad world of Bollywood, right? Her film Aur Pappu Paas Ho Gaya, directed by S Pappu, is slated to be released in 2007 - that is more good news for her fans in this New Year.