Actress Padmini Kolhapure exudes immense confidence in her calibre when she says matter-of-factly: "Acting is my forte and I teach a subject in which I'm confident. I wouldn't touch an area which is not my forte." Kolhapure, along with her brother-in-law, actor Shakti Kapoor was in Ahmedabad to inaugurate Rita Academy of Acting, Dancing & Modelling on Monday. The academy is a franchise of Padmini Kolhapure School of Acting where students would be trained in the basic aspects of acting, modelling and dancing.

Kolhapure said that through her school she would be counselling and promoting fresh talents in the industry, but the aspirants have to have a passion for their career. "We have come here to bridge the gap between Ahmedabad and Bollywood," she said. Although the course duration is of 45 days, she makes it clear that days or years are not important in achieving mastery in an art form, what's important are the basics.

From time-to-time, she would herself interact with students here and teachers, too would be guided by her, she said. A lot of aspirants are initially struck by the glamour aspect, what's her advice to them? "I don't paint a rosy picture before them. Every profession demands hard work and it's same with acting. At the same time, one should have the spark," she says.

Once a protégé of the showman, Raj Kapoor, Kolhapure has never been away from the industry even after retiring at the height of her filmi career. She (along with Shakti Kapoor and Navin Bawa) would soon be coming to Ahmedabad with a play Aasman se gire, khajoor pe atke. She would also be seen on the big screen in the forthcoming Daughter (that deals with the subject of adoption), Bachpan (a thriller, with the legendary Helen) and Phir Bhi Rahengi Nishaniyaan. And is she looking for a particular kind of role? "Fortunately, I'm pretty content with all the roles I have played, but yes, I do look at pivotal and substantial roles," she replies. Besides, she does wish to work with Amitabh Bachchan.