/> Her last screen role was as Paresh Rawal's ex-girlfriend in her husband's directorial debut Yun Hota To Kya Hota.

Says Ratna, " Before that I worked in a film, it was Encounter. I seem to get roles only when Naseer is in the film. In Yun Hota .... I played a junior artiste with a daughter whom she sends to America.

It was an interesting part with just a handful of scenes for me, but all very well written. But the real fun part of doing this part was Paresh. He's such an extremely generous actor. How many films have romantic scenes between a 40-plus couple?

I'd love to have more such opportunities. If we've to mature as a cinema-making nation we need to keep our eyes open. Look at the weird wacko people we get to meet on a daily basis. Where are they on screen?

! In our films and on television we're stuck with these ancient cardboard characters who have no bearing on real life. I'm affronted by the way my intelligence is challenged in our films and on television."

Delhi holds a special place in Ratna's heart. "My father's family is from Delhi and I went to the National School Of Drama. Those were fabulous years."

Ratna 's performance as Paresh Rawal's wife in her husband's directorial debut is much talked-about. "Let me tell you, being directed by Naseer isn't a new experience for me. He has done so many times in theatre. We form a truly collaborative team.

Whenever we work together there's a lot of exchange of ideas. That was true of his film. Not just me, the entire cast and crew shared a high level of comfort with Naseer. He wasn't trying to show how much he knew about filmmaking but was quite willing to learn on the job.

The atmosphere on the sets was quite democratic. All of us felt a sense of ownership about the film. I was glad to be invited to be part of Yun Hota ...

Otherwise not too many movie parts come way. I haven't heard of any part lately that I'd like to go out and get. My career on stage and television have kept me very happy and entertained."

Ratna feels concerned about the poor-quality work that Naseer often has to do on screen. "There're things one has to do to keep the home fires burning or just remain part of the business...everyone does them.

Now when he has nothing to lose he can afford to make statements about staying away from acting. But I think he's too much of an actor to give up acting. However he's definitely bored with acting.

For the last thirty years he has been constantly reciting his lines. For the last one year I haven't seen him do that. I'm waiting for that to begin again. But his interests are certainly widening and deepening. I think he has a contribution to make as a director."

Tell her she has frittered away her chances as an actor to look after Naseer, and she protests. "I never had to look after Naseer. He has a manager to do that. But yes, I do feel people don't look beyond him at me.

On the other hand, if I hadn't lived with and observed Naseer so closely I wouldn't have been the actress that I am. People pay money for the acting lessons that I'm getting at home for free.

Plus I'm getting free lodging and boarding," she jokes. " I've been the lucky one in the trade-off. It's been a good partnership. We're both fortunate that the partnership happened."

Has she brought stability into Naseer's life? "He's a pretty stable kind of guy. Maybe I've brought some order into his life—both practical and intellectual organization. Just having a happy family can be such a blessing for any professional."

She isn't tempting to direct a film. "Not now, probably never. Filmmaking isn't just about writing a script and getting five people together. It requires an ability and a skill that everyone can't acquire. It took Naseer thirty years to get there.

Nowadays everyone with a camera seems to be making a film. But that isn't the way to go about it. Filmmaking is a medium of brevity. If you don't know how to go about it, then don't bother."

She's happy with her career on television where her comic turn on Sarabhai Versus Sarabhai has won her a new fan following. "I never trained to be a comic actress. But once I started doing comedy I found that I enjoyed it.

Comedy helps me to ligten up and not take myself too seriously. It's a skill that requires to be honed. I've done a handful of serials in the last five years. Sarabhai ...is the best. I like the serial and the people I'm working with.

I think the director Aatish Kapadia has some good things coming up on television, provided the home medium doesn't chew him up."

Ratna returns soon with a second season of Sarabhai Versus Sarabhi. "Also, Naseer and I are looking at a couple of plays. We want to revive a Bernard Shaw play called Village Wooing which we had done twenty years ago.

It's such a sweet play. I'm involved with an NGO –organization for educating children. As for acting, I'm open to any medium where I get a good role."