Neha Dhupia in love!

Neha Dhupia is tired of playing 'just good friends' with squash player Ritwik Bhattacharya. Now, it's time for a game of 'love all'. Today, the actress is more forthcoming about her relationship with her best friend, as Ritwik shifted base to Mumbai last week.

Says Neha, "I have known Ritwik for the last 10 years; I have grown up with him. I'm tired of acting shy and saying we are just good friends when it's more than that. We are taking our relationship to another level now that he has moved base from London to Mumbai."

Taking it slow

But Neha insists that he hasn't moved cities in order to be closer to his ladylove. "It's not just for me. As a sportsman, it would be a bad move for him to shift to Mumbai only to be closer to me. It's just that Ritwik feels Mumbai is better as a base as he's always travelling. Currently, he's away for a month to Sweden, Canada and New York for squash tournaments."

So what's the status quo on their relationship today? "It's difficult to explain and I don't want to be misunderstood. We are cautiously exploring the relationship.

The media played Cupid and pushed us closer, but Ritwik will always be my friend, philosopher and guide. Now that he's moving here, we'll have more time to connect. It might turn out to be a very fruitful relationship, but I am being cautious as I don't want to lose friendship to love. We have to give each other time," says Dhupia candidly.

Films galore

On another note, Neha is also excited about shifting into her new home in Bandra. "It's larger and more central than my Versova flat. My apartment covers an entire floor and I have decorated it myself."

Marriage is definitely not on the cards for her right now. "I am only 25. I am getting some great film offers so I am not even thinking about it."

Talking of films, Neha has just completed Delhii Heights. She says, "It's a simple love story about urban Delhi with Jimmy Sheirgill and me. Then there's Ek Chalis Ki Last Local with Abhay Deol - a story about how we miss our local trains, have only Rs 70 between us but end up getting a windfall of Rs 2 crore. There's also Shootout At Lokhandwala, where I am paired opposite Sanjay Dutt.

It was delightful shooting with him. He doesn't realise the effect he has on people. In my first scene I had to raise my voice at him. After the shot got over, I apologised! Another film where I play a gangster's moll is Rajat Kapoor's Mitya with Ranvir Shourie and Naseeruddin Shah. Naseer plays the gangster. So yes, I have come a long way from the bikini to the bindi!"