Looking at those cute, limpid eyes, you cannot fathom the true grit inside.

But Bhumika sure is a girl with a large heart and larger resolve.

Her first few years in the industry didn't exactly set any river on fire. To be sure, she had her share of hits. But somehow she was not accepted as a top-of-the-line actress.

It is then Bhumika, who also started concentrating on other languages (Tamil and Hindi in particular), decided that more than quantity it is the quality that matters.

Missama was a typical case in point. The film did not have any fancy names (the nondescript Shivaji was the hero) or big budget. It was not shot in any trendy locale. The film just tried to tell a tale in an old-fashioned sort of way. Of course, Bhumika’s reassuring presence and her no-frills style of acting ensured that Missama did very good business at the box office. More importantly, it also won the approval of the critics.

The thing about Bhumika is that she can be at home in out-and-out commercial films like Sambha. She can also be at ease in serious flicks like Misamma. She can shake a glamorous leg with a star like NTR Jr or rub shoulders unpretentiously with the likes of Shivaji.

In short, she is every director’s dream and fans’ dream come true. She is pencilled to play in Rajnikanth’s much-written about Jaggubhai. She is also doing a film with Gopichand (newly elevated as a hero).

Whatever be the film, trust Bhumika to leave an imprint.