Biz Asia caught up with the winner of Channel 4's Bollywood Star programme soon after the winner was announced.

We are now proud to bring you the exclusive interview with Rupak Mann here on Biz Asia.

How does it feel to be a Bollywood Star?
It feels absolutely amazing! It's been a whirlwind of activities since the winner was announced a couple of weeks back. I just can't wait to get stuck into the movie now.

So why did you choose Bollywood (no Hollywood)?
Well, Bollywood has been a great part of my life. I've been watching Hindi movies and listening to Hindi music since I was a child. It comes totally natural to me and it has been a dream. Then this programme (Bollywood Star) came along. At first I was unsure to apply because of the obvious reasons-weight and age but my other half Mak persuaded me to take part and gave me the confidence.

Who inspired you to become an actress?
Mak inspired me to go for the contest, definitely. And obviously my mum has been a great inspiration throughout my life. Great legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar and Hema Malini have also inspired me in some way or another. They're great!

So who is your favourite actor?
Amitabh Bachchan. And out of the young lot, definitely Shah Rukh Khan and John Abraham.

You've spent a lot of time in Bollywood, was there anyone famous you bumped into beside Mahesh and Pooja Bhatt?
Well, when I was getting my hair done John Abraham walked into the salon and I nearly fell off my chair and I was like OH MY GAWD THAT'S JOHN! Luckily no damage was done!

What were your feelings like when you passed each round?
I was quite fearful as I went for each audition because I was very much aware of my size and I thought I wasn't going to get anywhere. As I passed each round, I was initially very surprised then I became more and more determined and it began to feel more possible at each stage - it was just so very exciting.

Apart from the obvious, how do you see yourself as being different to other actresses in the film industry?
Overall, I have a different look. Like you said a part from the obvious, my facial features are quite different and even if I lose weight (which I tend to do for health purposes) I will still be big. I would like to play edgy roles, something a bit more sinister. I wouldn't even mind doing something where my character involved some dusham dusham, i.e. action.

What kind of roles will you not accept? (Anything like Murder or Girlfriend?)
I think any role that I fit well in. If I anybody wants me to show some flesh like that was seen in the movies you mentioned then it would turn out to be a horror movie if anything. I personally don't think I will be asked to do them kind of roles and I wouldn't feel comfortable doing anything like that either. There are limitations.
What kind of role would you like to play in your ideal movie?
I would love to do a thriller. Something a bit edgy with a message in it.

Any details about the debut movie with Mahesh and Pooja Bhatt?
I would love to give you details but seriously I know NOTHING about my role, who the film will star (beside me) and what the storyline of the film is going to be. I don't even know the name of the movie!

Will you be getting payment for your first movie?
The TV company that set the programme up made it clear that the prize was "a role in a movie". However, they will cover other expenses such as travel and accommodation. After the first movie, if I deliver well, I should get offered roles by other producers, which I will make money from.

How have things changed in your personal life? Has it been difficult to balance time between the UK and India?
It has been quite frantic. A lot of interviews, press calls but I'm not complaining because this has raised my profile. In mid-July, I will be going to India for the shooting of the movie. I'd like to go there, give it my all, get to know a bit more about the industry and see what the chances are. I would happily build a home there and come back and forth. But, I will not be leaving Birmingham, I will commute as it feels right. Saying that, I can't even leave the house without being recognised. The other day, I went to return a video and I was stopped by a bunch of girls who recognised me from the show. People have been asking for autographs and wanting to take pictures with me. The other night, I went clubbing with my brother and I was mobbed at one of the venues. Feels good but strange!

Strange also because people know so much about you but you know nothing about them?
So true Raj. You hit the nail on the head! The thing is, I don't know why people are treating me like a celebrity because I haven't even done anything yet like made a movie or proved myself yet. I'm just so grateful to everyone who has taken such a keen interest in me. I just hope they continue to support me. Its been really really nice. Thanks.

We SAW your reaction when the winner was announced but how did you feel inside?
Totally flabbergasted! Could not believe it.

When did it really hit you that you had been crowned the Bollywood Star?
It has taken me a couple of months, honestly, it really has. The programme was filmed back in February and it was only when I sat on the plane on my way back that I had started staring into space it has hit me that I had won. Even now, there's elements of it where I just can't believe it. Seeing it all on TV brings back such good memories. I'm just stunned by the whole process.

How many times have you watched the auditions on TV now (without sounding modest!)?
How vain am I going to sound?! I've watched the programmes back loads of times and then Mak keeps putting it back on. So quite a few times I'm afraid.

The programme itself didn't get rave reviews because of the judges. A lot of people slated the judges because of their lack of Bollywood experience. What is your impression on this?
My personal impression on all that was the judges were great and had their own credentials. They had stayed over in India for a long duration of time and I think that was enough. I was in Bollywood for two weeks and in that time span I learnt so much. I also think that because the show was so heavily edited, the judges didn't get a fair deal because they said a lot of positive things about a lot of the contestants but to make the programme effective, the harsher comments were shown. From this series, we can learn and improve to make the next better.

Anyway let's see what happens with the next series (that's if we get one!), thanks so much for your time and best of luck with the future and the movie.
Thanks Raj for your time and thanks to everyone who supported me in the programme. Please continue to do so when the film comes out.

Interviewed conducted by Raj Baddhan for Biz Asia.