Iulia Vantur on 'special friend' Salman Khan: Great man with a good heart

Mumbai, Dec 5: When her new song with Himesh Reshammiya was launched at a suburban lounge last week, the first thing that everyone noticed about Iulia Vantur was her impressive Hindi. When we complimented her, her face lit up and she responded with 'Shukriya'. "I took Hindi classes. Of course, having people around me speak in Hindi all the time helped. I would practice Bollywood songs, and picked up the pronunciation," she explained.

The Romanian beauty, better known here as Salman Khan's rumoured ladylove, is however clear that she doesn't intend to take up music professionally. "I do it for passion." She recalled speaking to Himesh for the first time after Salman made the composer hear out her rendition of 'Teri Meri Kahani' from 'Bodyguard' (2011). "It is actually a Romanian carol which I used to sing for my parents. Himesh felt my voice was divine. I didn't want to miss the opportunity of working with him. This song [Every Night and Day] is beautiful. He was waiting for the right composition to work with me," she added.

Talking about shifting base to India, she said that having worked for many years in Romania as an anchor, it is scary to start from scratch. "But, going back to basics is an experience worth having. It is never too late to reinvent yourself. No one from my home country can ever think of me as a singer. I'm happy about this new journey. Before coming to India, I was worried. But people here are so warm, kind and generous that now it feels like home."

Last month, Iulia's interview with the Romanian press, where she had spoken about 'adjustment issues with the Indian culture and mentality' was much talked about. But, she cleared the air, saying, "I love the vibe and energy of Mumbai and the people I have met so far have only made it better. It is warm and welcoming. They were just incorrect rumours. I am thankful to Salman for introducing me to this country. Every time I leave this place, I have tears in my eyes. It is a good thing that life has brought me back here."

Asked about her equation with Salman, Iulia, not heeding her publicist's advice to keep mum, asserted, "He is a very good friend and not just to me, but to everyone he meets. He is a great man with a good heart." Excited about returning to the screen after having featured in Ummbakkum (O Teri), she said, "The video [of Every Night and Day] is being planned. We are figuring out the story, but Himesh wants me in it."