Ayesha losing roles by refusing to strip, kiss

Feb 4, 2008 Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Feb 4 (IANS) Ayesha Takia is shooting down roles that require her to wear skimpy clothes or get intimate with her co-star because she doesn't want to embarrass her family and boyfriend.

Ayesha is aware that her more uninhibited colleagues are benefiting while she refuses to get bold on camera.

"But I don't mind losing out on roles. At least 10 years from now I don't want to look back and cringe at anything. I've a family and a boyfriend. And I don't want to embarrass anyone," Ayesha, who was recently seen in "Sunday" in a clean role, told IANS.

"There're things that I wouldn't do, like kiss and wear certain kinds of clothes. And yes that does put me at a disadvantage. But I'm very happy with the work that I'm getting. After 'Dor', I'm being taken seriously as an actress."

She said no to Nagesh Kukunoor, who made "Dor".

"I just couldn't do the kissing scene in 'Aashayein'. We tried to find a way out, but it didn't work out for me. Fortunately, for me, Nagesh is a dear friend. He didn't hold my 'no' against me. We completed 'Tasveer' with Akshay Kumar in Canada. And there was nothing there to make me uncomfortable."

The actress has an exciting year ahead with films with big-league heroes.

"I'm working with Akshay Kumar in Nagesh Kukunoor's supernatural-psychological thriller 'Tasveer'. Then I've Prabhu Deva's 'Wanted', an action film with Salman Khan. Here I don't have much to do. I hang around doing whatever leading ladies do - sing, dance and purse my lips when the hero fights."

Candid in her self-assessment, she sees a boyfriend as no impediment to her career.

"In fact, I'm so glad Farhan is no part of the industry. And that he's a self-made man who loves me for who I am. I don't think having a boyfriend is any problem for a career.

"The only annoying part of having a boyfriend is that every time I've a release I'm informed by the press that I'm getting married in two months. It irritates me. When I get married I'll announce it from the rooftops. I'm proud of my boyfriend."

Last year she had a rough patch when "Salaam-e-Ishq" and "No Smoking" bombed.

"Everyone kept asking why I reappeared in 'No Smoking' in a double role. I'd like all questions about that film to be directed to Anurag Kashyap. I've no clue. It was a small role, just 10 days' work. I'd do another film for Anurag anytime. He's a friend."