By Radhika Bhirani

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Shahana Goswami, who plays Neil Nitin Mukesh's love interest in their upcoming film "Tera Kya Hoga Johnny", compares herself to a parasite and says she is at her best when her co-star is good.

"I'm like a parasite. If the actors that I am working with have good energy, I feed off it. My performance improves automatically and I am motivated even more to give it my best shot," Shahana told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

The actress says it was the same with Neil while shooting for Sudhir Mishra's "Tera Kya Hoga Johnny", releasing Dec 17.

"Neil was very supportive throughout the shooting. He is a very good actor and he knows his craft well. We hit it off instantly and it was very delightful to work with him in the film," she added.

Shahana started off her acting career with theatre, before moving to the big screen with "Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota" in 2006. She appeared in a cameo in "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd", after which she featured as the lead in "Ru Ba Ru". But she rose to prominence only after playing Debbie in the 2008 hit "Rock On!!".

Though she enjoys being part of ensemble cast movies, Shahana says she is definitely on the lookout for a meaty lead role.

"Every actor wants to do lead roles. But one has to associate with the characters that are offered. I think it is futile to do a lead role for the sake of doing it. So I believe in improving myself through ensemble films...god willing, time will bring a lead role with a good filmmaker, a good script and a good banner!

"There is no tangible reason why I am not doing lead roles. But I am quite optimistic that it will happen one day because a lot of new filmmakers are experimenting with stories and newcomers as well as unconventional faces. Who thought a film ('Wake Up Sid') with Konkana (Sen Sharma) and Ranbir (Kapoor) would do so well? So I am ready to wait but won't compromise on my image," she added.

Shahana, who learned Odissi dance for a decade, laments that she hasn't yet got any opportunity to showcase her dancing prowess on screen.

"Dance is in my blood and soul. But I haven't got a chance to show any of it. I think a role like 'Umrao Jaan' would suit me best because the character is so constrained and simple. It is so meaningful, yet has all the quintessential elements of an actress and the dance is justified in every bit of the movie," she said.

Of late, the actress has been trying to "regularise" and "discipline" her workout routine.

"As an actress, it is very important to present yourself well. So I am trying to get some regularity in my routine...I read, watch films, write and work out so that my mind and body remain active all the time.

"In my younger days, I used to be very physically active; so there was never an external need to go to the gym to stay fit. But over the years, I lost the consistency and became very lazy...but now I am trying to be regular."

Does her fitness-conscious beau, former supermodel Milind Soman, push her for workouts every morning?

"Milind has been very supportive and encouraging, no doubt," she said.

So do they plan to take their relationship to the next level?

"What's the next level? I am quite settled down with Milind already. We are very comfortable with the relationship we share at present and we have not thought any further about it. We are not on the lookout for anything beyond what we share right now."

In the meantime, she is also excited about her other forthcoming projects "Mirch", "Game" and "Ra.One".