After reigning over the Universe, Indian beauty queen Lara Dutta now has set her sights on Hollywood and says she has been cast to act in a film to be made by the producers of the US sci-fi thriller Matrix.

"I was cast in New York last month by a casting company for a film to be directed by (Matrix producers) the Cohen brothers," Dutta said.

The New York-based leggy beauty, who handed over the Miss Universe crown to the new winner in Puerto Rico last month, said the Cohens asked for her to audition after spotting her at a charity event at luxury retailer Sak's Fifth Avenue in New York.

"It (the film) is an incredible concept and has a lot of Indian culture in it." She said she had also been asked to act in "a fun, romantic film" being made by a well-known Hollywood producer whose name she could not disclose.

The US talent agency Wilhelmina, which represents Dutta, is also scouting roles for her in other Hollywood productions.

Dutta says she is excited about her transition from beauty queen to Hollywood actress and expects to start shooting by the end of this year.

"The film is an incredible concept and has a lot of Indian culture in it."

"I've been extremely lucky with things falling into place," she said. Dutta is as keen on being behind the camera as in front of the lens and has enrolled for a master's degree in journalism and film-making at New York's Columbia School of Journalism.

Depending on her acting commitments, she will start the two-year course this fall or next spring. Dutta also said she was open to offers from Bollywood that she could "identify with".

She added that during her reign as Miss Universe she had got to know US golfing sensation Tiger Woods and done media tours for his foundation which provides sports scholarships to children.

"He's pretty much in touch with reality. He has great parents who keep his feet planted on the ground," she said.