'I'm more evolved as an actress now'

Though the actress had shot for the film way before her marriage, the success came to her as a pleasant surprise.

 “After the release of ‘Wanted’, all those who were telling me not marry so young suddenly started telling me why didn’t I get married earlier,” says Ayesha, who was in the City recently. After marriage, life became hectic for Ayesha, albeit off-screen. Now, Nagesh Kukunoor’s Mod has brought her out of her self-imposed exile. The break, however, was intentional, she says. “After my marriage, I wanted to spend time with my husband and family. I was more keen on travelling and deriving new experiences from my new life. And also, I wanted to learn more about myself. I had signed my first film
when I was just 15 so I didn’t know of a life without films,” she adds.

Though she discovered a whole new world of hotel business with her husband, there was a part of Ayesha that longed to get back to movies. “Acting is like a second nature to me. I have known nothing else for the longest time,” she explains. Ask her if it was the success of ‘Wanted’ that brought her back so soon to the screen and she responds with a smile, “One would think that I am cashing in on the success. But I never had any strategy or hidden formula of success. I enjoy acting and when there is a script, especially something like Mod, why wouldn’t I come back?”

Proclaiming that Nagesh Kukunoor is one of her favourite directors, Ayesha explains that her rapport with him has reached a whole new level. “There were times when he simply looked over the camera and I knew what he wanted from me. Not only is he a brilliant film-maker but what I really like is the fact that not many film-makers dare to make a female the lead protagonist of a film,” she adds.

Now that the film is about to release, Ayesha confirms that she is yet to think of what her next project is going to be. “As a person, I am still the same. But now, I find myself more evolved as an actress. I need to look at a lot many things like my family and my business before taking in more commitments. Till then, I would like to take one film at a time,” she sums up.