Acting was not really on the cards for me. I was a trained classical dancer and a sportsperson. I could have chosen any of these as my vocation in life. When I was in high school, I attended a theatre workshop by Satyadev Dubey. This gave me the feeling that acting was my calling. I then established a theatre group in Pune called Samanvay, along with my brother Sandesh.

I got my first movie break while studying at Fergusson College when playwright and filmmaker Girish Karnad gave me a role in his movie Cheluvi. After that I did a couple of Marathi films. My first Hindi film was Daayra, directed by Amol Palekar, fetched me the Best Actress Award at the France International Film Festival.

Then Dil Chahta Hain happened in 2001 and I have never had the time to relax ever since. My hard work and passion had finally paid off. Taxi No. 9211 is another important film for me since it got me back in the scenario. Playing Rimli in Via Darjeeling was also an important milestone in my career. It was a great experience.

Growing up in a wonderful family shaped personality in a major way. My family completes my world. They encourage me and keep me grounded. And that helps me from letting stardom get to me and I don’t have the fear of losing myself in this filmy duniya.

I always live to the fullest and life has been very kind to me. In fact, right now I think I am ready for the the man in my life.

My current assignments include films like Anjan Dutt’s BBD, Mumbai 10 with Vinay Pathak and The Man with Sunny Deol.

(As told to Promita Mukherjee)