But the glamour queen's unglamorous act in Prakash Jha's upcoming film 'Rajneeti', where she wears simple saris and sheds make-up, have set rumour mills rolling that her character is based on the UPA chairperson's real political life.

Like Sonia, Katrina's character, too, enters politics after her husband's death. The film is being shot in various locations in Bhopal with actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Nana Patekar, Nasiruddin Shah among others.

"Not even one per cent," was the veteran filmmaker's response to a query on the striking similarities between Sonia and the politician Katrina enacts. "Except that both are good looking and wear saris nothing is common between the two. Let people speculate," Jha said, adding, however, that the film was a reflection of contemporary politics.

Katrina said her playing a role different than the ones she is identified with was not a conscious decision. "It just happened by chance. I was blown away by the script when I read it." She said politics was not her concern and had left the nuances of her role to Jha, "who has all the experience".

"Katrina's personality has innocence. Her face reflects her honesty," Jha said when asked why he chose her. She reciprocated the adulation by saying he helped her get into the character.

The film has a sequence where Katrina gives a fiery speech. "When she was finished people were so impressed that they wanted her to contest from Bhopal," he joked. He said that in a lighter vein but Katrina already seems to have picked a few traits of politicians. "This is the best crowd I have ever encountered," she said without any provocation. On Monday, the crowds had thrown a few stones and a water bottle at the crew, which saw an angry Jha threaten to wind up the shooting.

The crew is required to shoot several scenes like political rallies with crowds milling around. Last week, too, Jha had lost his patience and it took Nana Patekar, himself not known for his cool temper, to calm the agitated crowds.

Jha willing, Katrina will campaign