"My family, particularly my father, had been categorically told not to watch 'Humshakals' because I knew they wouldn't be able to bear the film," admits Esha Gupta who plays Dr. Shivani Gupta in Sajid Khan's latest comic caper. However, the actress, who started her career with Prakash Jha's political drama 'Chakravyuh', and followed it up with thrillers like 'Jannat 2' and 'Raaz 3', is unapologetic about her recent cinematic outing.

Esha says she knew what she was getting into when she accepted the film.She explains that she said yes to the film to get into mainstream Bollywood opposite an A-list actor, Saif Ali Khan. "Sajid told me upfront that I was an eye-candy and would have to ham my way through the film. I knew Humshakals wouldn't win me any best actress awards. Many have questioned my decision to take up this film, but I have no regrets," she asserts.

Question her on all the flak the film has been getting, with an online portal making a parody titled Enough Is Enough, Sajid Khan, and Esha retorts, "That's for the director to answer. Sometimes things go terribly wrong. It's not enough if your film makes money, we want the audience's appreciation too. In retrospect I feel we could have done a better job with Humshakals."

Bipasha Basu's decision not to promote the film, followed by a tweet denouncing the director, had raised plenty of eyebrows. Esha herself made a dig at her 'Raaz 3' co-star during a promotional interview saying it was good Bipasha had stayed away or she'd have practised "black magic" on her again. "That was a joke!" Esha exclaims. "I was so nervous around Bipasha during Raaz 3 till she gave me a warm hug and broke the ice. Her decision to back out from Humshakals had to do with something drastic that happened on the personal front and not about screen-space."

Buzz is, Sajid and she have a 'special' equation. She laughs, "I have a steady boyfriend. Why would I date Sajid Khan? I hate rumours which imply that I can't get work unless I sell my soul. Merit counts." So, will she do another film with Sajid? "Right now I'm not looking for another multi-starrer but if it's a solo lead or a two-heroine project, I just might," she quips.