Having earned an altogether different status with her magnificent performance in Dor, Ayesha Takia is surging forward to do an array of roles, albeit not as serious as in Dor. In an exclusive tête-à-tête, Ayesha tells us about the latest happenings in her life.

Ayesha Takia's on a roll – professionally and personally as well. The cutie-pie, who's only worry in life right now, is that her carefully-cultivated fringe that she went in for on an impulse whilst shopping in Bangkok with boyfriend Farhan Azmi.

It is now growing back "and is ruining the continuity of my films" she mock-complains. Otherwise she is "blissfully satisfied with my life".

Q: How has life been after Dor?
A: I am at peace with myself, professionally due to all the accolades I got due to Dor and all the great projects that I bagged due to that film. Personally, of course, I don't have anything more to ask for after having such a caring and supportive boyfriend.

Q: What has been your experience with your earlier project Shaadi Se Pehle?
A: I prefer to forget the mishap called Shaadi Se Pehle. It had threatened to stir up my professional life, not so long ago. I'm an impulsive person.

I'm not the kind to make calculated moves, thinking that arre, if I pick this film, it will catapult me to the Oscars next year! I do those films that appeal to me in the first reading. That the reason for the appeal may be totally whacky is another story altogether.

Q: Do you regret that Shaadi Se Pehle has bombed at the box office?
A: Having said whatever I have, I must admit that I do not regret any project I have done till date.

Films are bound to succeed or fail; if Shaadi...flopped, I was amply compensated with Dor, which initially people were pretty sceptical about how I'd handle since it was a totally deglamourised and a rural role, completely contrasting to everything I'd done till then.

Q: How has been the experience doing Dor?
A: I think that the gamble of doing a deglamourised role has paid off! People have appreciated my work and even hailed me as the next probable marquee-queen my portrayal of a young widow, a role that is very close to my heart.

Q: Was it stressful to play such a serious role?
A: Not stressful, but it kind of matured me somewhere as a woman; though of course it's not as if I have totally shed off my girlish innocence, it did bring a radical shift in my perspective.

Q: What are your forthcoming projects?
A: I have a handful of them. While No Smoking with John Abraham is a light-hearted movie, there are Alladin, Sunday and De Taali with Riteish Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdadsani. I had a ball shooting for these films because these two guys are laugh-rioters. They are the biggest pranksters I have ever come across, so shooting with them was like going for a college camp!

Q: Tell us something about your role in Sunday.
A: In Sunday, I play a dubbing artiste for animation films, due to which I have had to learn the voice-modulation techniques, which has been great fun.

Then, in Aladdin, which is a partially animated film, I play Jasmine. And then, in No Smoking, I'm playing the first double-role of my life as John's wife and his secretary!

Q: Are you making a conscious effort to shifting towards light-hearted films?
A: No, not at all. Going by the praise I have received for Dor, I'd be game to play such kinds of roles for my entire career but a Dor doesn't get made everyday.

Also, I love to experiment; be it with my roles, my looks or my voice; hence, this variety in my repertoire" she quips, even as she blushes for the compliments we give her for looking so toned down.

"I am on a weight-reduction spree after all the brickbats I have been getting since the beginning of my career for my puppy-fat. On day I just thought, chalo, let's actually get down to doing something about it. - (SAMPURN)