Mumbai, June 14 (IANS): Ameesha Patel turns into a baddie for her forthcoming film "Shortcut Romeo" and asserts it was challenging for her to play an anti-hero role as it has drained her emotionally and physically.

"Anti-hero role is always challenging. Like Shah Rukh Khan's role in 'Baazigar' and 'Darr'. Whenever you break a norm to do something, it is always challenging," Ameesha said here Thursday in an interview.

"To not do a typical heroine, to look sophisticated rich woman and beautiful despite being in a negative role is a tough job because you might cross the line and look like a vamp.

"So, it was a physically and emotionally tiring film for me to do because of the dangerous dialogues, looks, manipulative eyes - all this I haven't done before," added the 38-year-old.

Meanwhile, lead actor of the film Neil Nitin Mukesh states that "Shortcut Romeo" might be a remake of director Susi Ganeshan's Tamil film "Thiruttu Payale", but it is "a very different film - be it the scale or characterisation".

"Only some aspects of the original story have been used by Susi, but there are very unique things in this one. I believe 'Shortcut Romeo' is a fresh film," added the actor.

"Shortcut Romeo" also stars Puja Gupta and hits theatres June 21.