When did you become aware of male gaze?

(Laughs) I think in my school days when I went for dance sessions. That’s the time when a whole bunch of guys came up to me and asked me for a dance. I was like “Wow! What’s happening?”

Does the male gaze ever make you uncomfortable?

The way to deal with it is to be comfortable with it. So you don’t get into any unwanted situation. And why not? I am here to be bestowed with attention (laughs).

How does your husband (golfer Jyoti Randhawa) react to all the male attention you get? Does he ever feel insecure?

He is not insecure, for sure. He has known me since I was a kid. He tells me: “You are also a sex symbol for the not-so-thinking man because I too think you are very sexy.” So that includes pretty much every one. I am very happy (laughs). It’s a joke between us. I don’t think he takes these things very seriously.

On and off screen, you come across as a bold and liberated woman. Yet, you have chosen to settle down and have a child pretty early in life. Isn’t it a paradox?

We can’t intellectualise these things. I think it was just a matter of following your heart. I am a very emotional person. I was hopelessly in love with Jyoti, he proposed marriage and we got married. I then thought it was so many years since we got married, so maybe it would be nice to have a kid. The idea is not to put your life on hold and then go about becoming a career-woman. The idea of being a 21st century woman is being comfortable as well as confident as a wife, mother, a career woman. Why compromise on any aspect?

What kind of compromises do you have to make being a married actress and mother of a child?

If I make compromises for my son, I am sure actresses who are single make compromises for their families as well. We all make compromises. But you also have to set your priorities right. I understand that the producers have put in money. So I only take on the responsibility that I can handle. I think I learnt that lesson well in time.

In Kal —Yesterday Tomorrow your best friend and boyfriend end up together. Who would you have blamed if such a thing happened in real life?

In a mad moment, I would have hated and blamed both of them. But maybe two years down, when I was calmer, I would have blamed myself.

Would you be able to come out of it?

I am sure it would take time but if I found a boyfriend in the meantime I would be really happy and would flaunt him. I’d be like “All right guys, here I am (laughs)”.

Do you think it’s possible for a woman to be in love with two men at the same as in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi?

Umm … I don’t know if you could be totally in love with two men. You could be in love with one and be very interested in another. There will be some situation where you would probably think that you are in love with both, which is not true. There is always this titillation of being with another. Women just like to have a thing for another guy. Like they say, a monogamist is not natural.

Are today’s men more liberated in the way they think of women?

I think an Indian man takes very long to change (laughs). Women adapt far more easily. But I think they are changing, I don’t know whether they are changing on their own free will or because they are made to change.

Do men still have an issue about dark and dusky women?

It’s changed so much. I don’t know if it’s a result of the change taking place in the international scenario. The fair skin is no more a symbol of beauty; dusky complexion can be far sexier.

What is your yardstick of judging a man?

Humility is very important. I think the more successful you are the humbler you need to be. He has to be courteous. I don’t like men who shout at their servants.

What makes a marriage successful?

To be able to adjust without making a big hue and cry about every single adjustment you make. It doesn’t have to be tiring, or a job. It’s something that you enjoy, definitely, but you have to make an effort to keep it going.