First things first Shenaz, its good to have you back in good ol' Mumbai... How have you been?
Thank you very much. It's great to be back! I feel so blessed to receive such a warm welcome back. Family, friends, fans, journalists... I missed you all and I'm catching up with everybody besides stuffing my face with the yummiest food in the world. Nothing compares to the joy of being back in the motherland!

Where did you disappear all of a sudden?
After Ishq Vishk and MTV, I decided to take some time off and follow my own dreams of writing and traveling. That is how I got into hosting & producing travel shows for Discovery Travel Channel (aired in the U.S).

I also took the time to write a screenplay while I was traveling; it's a cross-cultural film, an offbeat romantic comedy. And of course guess who's acting in it?

There were even rumors that you had moved to the States....What were you up to in the U.S?
I hosted a few shows based out of LA, did some ads. I also studied acting at the Larry Moss Studio in LA. Incredible experience.

I always believe that there's no limit to learning and education and this is the second break that I took from the biz to study. The first one was in 2001 when I went to NYC to study acting at the Lee Strasburg Institute.

So now have you come back for good or do you plan to shuttle between US and Mumbai?
I don't know the answer to that question yet. I believe nothing is permanent in life and no matter how much I may plan, something else always happens and life takes another twist. So I am very non committal... ke sear sera... the future? We'll see.

We are sure lots of boys are already grinning at the prospect of seeing you on -screen all over again.
Thank you. Big kiss to all my homies. Missed the cute Indian boys ;)

You are hosting 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge' on television...
This is indeed the best time to be in TV business in India with new channels and shows launching almost everyday. I have a lot of ideas about the kinds of shows I'd like to do. I have developed a number of treatments; have my own production house too. I came back to India to be part of the TV boom here.

What made you take up this offer?
Many reasons: I love comedy. My greatest pleasure comes out of entertaining people and making them laugh. I have a secret desire to do stand up myself. I'm not a bathroom singer; I'm a bathroom comedian ;) (Okay, I just let you in on a big secret, one that has been between my shower and me for years :))

One of my favorite things to do abroad is to visit comedy clubs. I love stand up and have watched some of the best comedians in the world on stage in NYC and LA. Laughter Challenge brought stand-up to India.

Can you think of a better show for me? I hope the audience appreciates me here as much as they did on MTV.

Your show MTV Most Wanted was a big hit. You are one of the most successful VJ's in India. Will we be seeing you on MTV again?
If they offer me an interesting show, sure. Never say never.

Any plans of making a comeback into the big bad world of Bollywood?
If a good role comes up in Bollywood, I am certainly open to doing it but am not single mindedly concentrating on that. Once I commit to something, I really give it everything I have. So when I get offers I tend to be quite choosy.

People may say I'm over particular but it's important that I pick roles carefully; ones that represent the beauty and complexity of the modern Indian woman. The world doesn't need anymore popcorn fluff!

You have been a top model, have worked in advertising, been a VJ, done films and even write articles on travel. So what else if left to explore and what gives you the ultimate high.
I love the biz and am happy hosting, acting, writing and one day I hope to direct too. I cannot choose any one as my favorite. I give everything I do my two hundred percent and always remember to make sure I have fun while doing it.

Having said that, I am most keen on making my film. I took some time to write the screenplay while I was traveling; it's a cross-cultural film, an offbeat romantic comedy. My producers are currently securing funding both here and in LA. It's my biggest dream to make this film soon. And guess who's acting in it? ;)

I also really enjoyed hosting and producing 'Culture Shock'. It was my baby for so long, I came up with the concept, wrote the treatment, and went to every channel with it. It finally came to life and aired on the Discovery Travel Channel U.S last year. That gave me immense pleasure, to see something I created come to life!

Any particular actors/ director that you would like to work with this time around?
I am a big Aamir Khan fan. I make sure I watch everything he does. Would be honored to work with him!

I would love the opportunity to work with- Ashutosh Gowariker, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Rajkumar Hirani, Mira Nair, Gurinder Chadha, Vishal Bhardwaj, Nagesh Kukunoor and Anurag Basu.

Actors I'd love to share the screen with- Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen, Boman Irani, Naseeruddin Shah. And of course -Shah Rukh and Salman.

Hottest actor- who makes me weak in the knees and we aren't talking about acting? John and Abhishek.

Who/What makes me lose my smile?
People who disrespect our mother earth. Littering, Plastic bags. Wastage of water, food, electricity, power, drink, time... wastage of any kind. Spitting on the streets and in public places. Staring eyes; I hate to be stared at. Let that be known!

People who answer their phone in the movies. People who talk during a film in the cinema. Cruelty to animals. Cruelty to human beings. I do not believe anybody is a bigger or smaller human being, we are all equal, sons/daughters of God, all going to die in the end, let's treat everybody equally.

Disgusting, lecherous men who walk hand in hand and try to brush against me, my sister and other women on the street, pretending that it's a mistake.