Erica is sexy and she knows it. All of 20, she has already made her presence felt down South, by bagging two plump projects, Vizhithiru (Tamil) and Ninnindale (Kannada). And with her debut Tamil movie, Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu (555) opposite South superstar Bharath, garnering rave reviews post its Eid release last week, Erica is on cloud nine. We caught up with the actress in the middle of a hectic shooting schedule. Excerpts from the interview: Congratulations on Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu (555). Tell us what’s the movie all about? Why is it called 555? You will have to watch the movie to know that. It’s a suspense thriller and you will be on the edge of your seats till the very last moment. In fact, all I can say is it has a really unexpected climax something that will surprise you. What’s your role in it? I am playing a software engineer and Bharat is my love interest. He actually works in my company and I am his boss who falls in love with her employee. So unlike the usual cliché, here it’s the girl who falls in love with the guy. How did you get into films? I always wanted to get into modeling and acting. I was 16 when I started working in the entertainment industry. It all happened with a haircut. I went to this salon owned by Farhan Akthar’s wife Adhuna. They were having an in-house function called Swori where trainee hairdressers were given a chance to cut hair and the best hairstylist is given an award. A friend asked if I would love to volunteer and I did it for fun. Then Adhuna saw my pictures and asked me to model for her collection. That’s how I started and then I won Bombay Dyeing fresh face and Femina Miss Maharashtra. Later I was also in the top 10 of Femina Miss India. Then ads happened and I got my first Tamil film. How’s your entire experience been working in the Tamil Movie industry? It’s been really nice. They are very professional and punctual. Even the director of my movie was very helpful. Since I didn’t know the language, he would sit with me and help me understand the meaning of each and every word. He even acted it out and showed me. So emoting before the camera became easy, in spite of the language barrier. We have heard stories about casting couch and how prevalent it is in the film industry. Have you as a newcomer faced anything like that? Until now, I haven’t come across anything called casting couch. Actually, I do not interact with anyone directly. My father is my manager and he is the one who meets and screens all those who want to work with me. Planning to enter Bollywood? Well I have done a Hindi movie called Love Is Not Mathematics with Nila Madhab Panda who made I am Kalam. My Hindi movie is a love story and it revolves around me. The plot is about today’s youngsters. It’s in the post-production stage, currently. Would you do an item number for a big banner Bollywood movie? I don’t think so because it stereotypes you as an actress. And if you look around, very few who have done item numbers have actually become successful leading heroines. So the answer is ‘no’. One hero from Bollywood you would love to romance? Ranbir Kapoor, without doubt (winks) Would you mind wearing a bikini or kiss on screen? Well, I have been a Miss India and have worn bikini in the past. If it goes with the script, I don’t mind. Same goes with kissing. Are you single? If yes, who’s your ideal guy? Yes. I am single. My ideal guy should have a good physique, a good sense of humour and be able to bear me (laughs).