/> After years of demurral Zeenat has finally said yes to television. And it's to serve as judge on Ekta Kapoor's reality show Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket The deal was finalized on Monday.

Says Zeenat, "Ekta has been so sweet. I've watched her grow up in front of me. I'm happy that my first foray on television is for her, though I must admit I don't watch much television. But every time I'd run into Ekta's mom—and that's once a year—she'd tell me to please let them know when I'm ready for television."

Zeenat has been offered a number of soaps in the past which she declined to do. "Very honestly I wasn't willing to invest the amount of time that television required, TV does take a lot of time. And my priority has always been my family.But this time I was approached with such enthusiasm, I just couldn't say no."

She admits Kaun Jeetega... requires a more pronounced level of commitment than the average reality show. "This is a reality show about discovering new talent and needs to be treated with special care.

I'm willing to go that extra mile for it. To be able to find fresh talent for our industry is wonderful. And Ekta has gone into it with such passion...just like she does in everything she does.I'm so delighted to be on board with her."

Ekta is an unabashed fan of Zeenat and finds her way ahead of her times. "There was no plan, thought or conscious strategy to do or to be anything. I just did what I wanted to."

At the moment both of Zeenat's sons who were studying away from home are back with her. "And to me having my children around is the most important thing in life. I lead a very contained and private life.

I've my sons my home my dog and lots of greenery surrounding me. What more could I ask for? ....Very honestly, I'm treating this project as a one-off thing.

I'm not looking ahead at what I'd be doing or not doing. At the moment I'm just happy to be focusing on Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket.As for a a soap, maybe yes. I've never said never about anything."

Zeenat starts shooting Kaun Jeetega.... from 1 July. "Basically it'd take up no more than a week. I hope to enjoy it. It provides a platform for young people.

The winners will be given a chance to work in a film produced by Ekta. Today there're such platforms for hopefuls actors. When I had come in the opportunities for newcomers were so limited."

Zeenat is looking forward to meeting up with her old colleague Shabana Azmi. "Yes she's a colleague and we did a film together Ashanti.... Shabana, Parveen Babi and me. It was loads of fun."

I finally ask her about Dev Anand's biography which has pointed references to his friendship with her.

Zeenat answers with consummate clarity. "Dev Saab is a senior person, and someone I respect very much. Due to him I had my first success Hare Rama Hare Krishna.

And subsequently I shared a long and fruitful association with his banner Navketan. However two different individuals have differing perspectives of the same situation. I leave it at that."