When did you become aware of the male gaze?

When I was in the seventh grade. Though I was in an all girls’ school, we had a boys’ school across the road.

Who taught you to deal with male attention?

Initially, I was very scared because I come from a background where we were not allowed to talk to guys or even go down to the building compound to play at the same time as the boys. I was in the seventh grade when my friend’s cousin was apparently hitting on me. I was scared that I would be punished if my nanaji came to know about it; so I walked a kilometre from my house, called up my friend and told her to ask her brother not to call me ever again.

After a point of time, when you get so much attention you get used to it. But I’m still shy of it.

As a film actress, do you think men are comfortable with successful independent girls?

Today men are open to the idea of having a career-oriented girl in their life; but like every coin has a flip side, there are those typical MCPs who can’t take it if their woman does better than them.

What if your man disapproves of a revealing outfit that you are wearing on screen?

In a way, I will respect his feelings because I would understand that I too won’t want him to do smooching scenes on screen if he is an actor. In every relationship, there are a few expectations. If those expectations are unreasonable, then you can fight; but all expectations are not unreasonable. There has to be a line between vulgarity and dignity. If he objects, I would keep it in mind and try not to be vulgarly dressed but maintain a balance between my movie career and my relationship.

Have you ever faced a problem with your odd hours of work — either because of your safety while returning home or because of the reactions of the men in your life?

Never. But yes, in school, boys are boys; they would tease you or comment. But I was a brat — so I would walk up to the guy and slap him across the face.

Would you like to be pampered by your man?

Of course, I like to be pampered and also I would like to pamper my man, but I like to be pampered more. In a relationship, one is always a baby and the other is like a mother or a father figure.

Are looks the first thing men notice in a woman?

Yes! For men, the kind of girl they are being seen with is a social status issue.

What is the first thing you look for in a man?

In a way, it’s looks, because you don’t come to know what kind of a person he is the moment you meet. But more than that, it is the vibes that you get from the men you meet — good looking or average looking. If you get good vibes from him, it is much better to gel with him because you are not going to stay with his good looks all your life.

What are your views on marriage?

It’s the most beautiful thing that can happen between two people. I would like to be married and have kids, though I know that life is not a bed of roses.

Are men commitment-phobic?

It comes from the psychological barrier men have … they are scared of losing their freedom, their chilled-out life. There is a lot of responsibility after marriage.

Do men have a tendency to ask women about their past?

There are people who dig into the past to know what a woman has gone through in her past before she met him and some give a damn. No one in my life yet has tried to dig up my past — but it’s not as though I have a dark past that I have to hide.

Do you think it is a good idea for a woman to tell her man about her past?

If he wants to know and he is close to me I don’t think I should hide anything from him. But if you think not revealing your past will save the relationship, then it is a better idea not to reveal your past.

What do you think of men who say that women deserve what they get if they dress in a provocative manner?

I don’t agree. I couldn’t sleep for two days after the New Year’s Eve incident where 15 guys tried to molest two girls on the main road. India is a sex-starved country, otherwise how could such a barbaric act take place?

What’s the boldest pass made at you? What was your reaction?

No one has ever dared to make a pass at me; and if someone does so, I can slap, kick and abuse … so better watch out!

Men indulge in bird-watching all the time. Don’t women also ogle at men?

Well we wouldn’t stare, but just glance and say ‘Oh! He’s quite a good looking guy.’

Would you call India sex-starved? Tell t2@abpmail.com