Constant criticism can be a deterrent, particularly if it`s coming from all corners - press, friends and even family. That`s what Manisha discovered recently. Sick and tired of receiving the flak continuously for her growing girth, she simply turned a deaf ear till they stopped bothering her. But that`s when realisation dawned on her - she is an actress and has to be in shape.

She put aside every other job that was on her agenda and set out to "organize her life. And what was on her list of priorities? A rigorous weight loss programme that lasted for a full three months. What pleases this kanchi is not so much her `slim and trim look` but people`s sudden about-face with regard to her talent.

"I was always looking for unusual scripts and knew from day one that I had the talent. It`s their (people`s) perception that has changed," she analyses. You have to first look the character you portray on screen before your emotive powers take over, Manya. Is that asking for too much?