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When I was in the 12th standard, there was this pageant that was taking place in Delhi. My dad was completely against me taking part in it, but I fought with him. And after a lot of thought, I somehow managed to go ahead.

"Men Like My Desipana"

With that pretty face, good figure and a million dollar smile, Saas Bina Sasural's Aishwarya Sakhuja has become a highly popular face on Indian television. Her cherubic charm has worked wonders for her character, Tanya, aka Toasty. Still relatively new to the profession, she has managed to strike it big for herself. Yet, Aishwarya is as grounded as can be. Admitting to the fact that success is temporary in the ever booming television industry – the actress has a sensibility and understanding quite atypical of many TV actresses today.

Whether it was taking up a role in an unusual show like Rishta.com, participating in the Miss India contest or doing Saas…, where she plays a character with which she has very little in common, Aishwarya is ready to experiment and explore her abilities without succumbing to the lure of fast money and fame through saas-bahu or bahu-beti extravaganzas.

A self-confessed army brat, acting was a childhood ambition for her. "I have been watching movies since I was three, because my mother is a big Bollywood buff. I was always fascinated by the tube, be it the big screen or the small screen," she pauses, "When I was in the 12th standard, there was this pageant that was taking place in Delhi. My dad was completely against me taking part in it, but I fought with him. And after a lot of thought, I somehow managed to go ahead. The contest had a 14-day grooming period. So I thought, if nothing else, I will at least get groomed and know what this industry is all about. That's how it all began."

As luck would have it, Aishwarya won the competition. "I had no idea that I would end up winning it. After that happened, my father too realized that I really enjoy being in the industry and being in front of the camera, so he let me follow my dream. My parents are okay now and are my biggest support system."

Though she is at a successful position today, she regrets never pursuing her first aspiration. "Leave me in an animal shelter and I can be there for the next 10 years. It's very unfortunate that I didn't really go on to become a veterinarian. Modelling and everything happened very early in my life, just after the 12th standard. So I didn't give myself the opportunity of studying for it. But given a second chance, I think I would finish my studies and then go ahead with modelling," she smiles.

Aishwarya, who was born in Tamil Nadu and completed her education in Delhi, came to Mumbai four years ago. Though her journey hasn't been a cakewalk, she never gave up. "I don't give up easily. I am rather perseverant that way," she states frankly, "When I came here four years ago, I tried my luck in films. But it didn't work out. I could have easily given up, gone back to Delhi and tried something else. But this is where my heart lay, so I stayed here."

But she must have been heartbroken, no? "Well, I was miserable for a year. But I didn't get depressed. I don't allow myself to get into that zone. If I am able to stay in a city like Mumbai, all alone, at such a young age, then I have a lot to be thankful about. So depression doesn't come easily to me. Plus, it has all worked out in the end na, so I am happy," she says gladly.

Not many know that Aishwarya was never keen on doing Saas Bina Sasural – the show that has got her all the fame and success she has today. Ask her about this and she giggles, "When I heard the title, I was extremely skeptical. I'll be honest; I went for the audition because the same production house makes Comedy Circus. And since I was into anchoring, I thought they'd probably meet me and give me an option to anchor the show. I didn't want to do serials. I always had this thing of not doing TV and doing only films," she takes a breather, "But when I heard the script and the characterization, I was immediately convinced. Also, since Sony is a big channel and I was the only girl in the script, I thought that I should give it a shot."

So is the typical saas-bahu stuff a complete no-no for her? "With all due respect to those shows, I don't connect with them. And if I don't connect with them, then there is no way I can do justice to a part. The only reason I took up Saas… was because it was different. I'll do television till the time it's different. I don't want to do run-of-the-mill stuff that every channel has gotten into. But what I don't mind doing on screen is ageing," she reveals, "Tomorrow, if I am told to play a 50-year-old woman and I can relate to her, I would do it. I am sure make-up can do wonders and it can transform me. For me, it's not about being young or old. I am completely okay with these generation leaps till the time I can connect with the character."   

Considering the actress has anchored a few popular reality shows, is she open to doing reality television? "I feel that reality shows are being sold in the most vicious of ways. There's a lot of profanity and vulgarity involved. And I don't feel the need to be a part of such things. I did a very small stint with Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. So I enjoy these talent shows. But I will never do shows that involve nonsense. People generate TRPs out of such nonsense and I think that's very sad," she says disappointed, "Even if the show tests me on the calibre that I have as a human being, I am game. But it should be a decent show that doesn't rip me off for no reason."

Since Aishwarya has become such a rage with her on-screen character Toasty, does she have any similarities with her? "Well, Toasty is quite a freak. She's extremely righteous in her head and extremely sorted too. She knows what she wants. She has a way of putting words and she's extremely smart. But I am a little blunt. I am not able to present the picture the way Toasty does."

In a recently conducted poll, Aishwarya was regarded as one of the sexiest women in India. Ask her how she feels about this and she instantly says, "I don't find myself sexy. It's definitely a compliment. But I associate myself more with being cute. Yes, I am tall and skinny, maybe that's why a lot of people feel I am sexy. But I just think that I am normal. Whenever people call me sexy, I am taken aback."

Despite being one of the hottest girls on Indian television, Aishwarya is single. Or is it that she is too discreet about the men in her life? "A woman is always more interesting with some mystery surrounding her. See, I'll tell you why," she says assertively, "I am not just Aishwarya, I am Aishwarya Sakhuja. So I have my family to answer to. If I do end up naming someone, the other person's family will get involved too. I know it for a fact that when my family is ready to answer to the world and they aren't embarrassed of it or I am not embarrassed of it, I will declare it openly. Plus, I don't think people are that interested in my life at the moment. They have film stars to talk about," she quips.

Point taken. But what kind of a guy would sweep her off her feet? "Superficially speaking, the man shouldn't have body odour and bad breath," she laughs, "On a more serious note, he should be very real. I hate these pseudo guys. My guy should be rooted. Even if he is a paanwala, he should be happy about selling paan. He should be content with himself. He should accept me the way I am and not expect me to change."

If she needs a real man then, what does she think it is about her that turns men on? "I think my desipana is what a man would like in me. I am not someone who wears only Prada or Gucci or Chanel. I can go to Lokhandwala in Mumbai, and pick up a shirt and be proud of it. I still go grocery shopping and I am happy doing that."

It is a common belief that actresses today have a very short shelf-life, when it comes to playing a character of their choice even after a certain age. And Aishwarya couldn't agree more, "I need to give it to the genes of the opposite sex. Women are blessed with a lot of things, but when it comes to being visually appealing even at the age of 45, you need to give yourself that time and put in a lot of effort. Someone like Kajol is still doing films. So I think you can be an exception if you want to be."

She continues in the same tone, "TV is such a booming industry and there are 10 shows being launched on a weekly basis. One show goes and a second one comes in. Earlier, television used to have TV stars like Ronit Roy. Now that has gone and I understand that very well. It's a very humbling experience to be popular and part of this show.

Thankfully, this show has become successful, but this show is not going to go on forever. One or two years down the line, it will come to an end. So I am pretty prepared about the fact that I will have to start looking for work again. Right now, I have become complacent. I don't know what will happen in the future, but it has only been a climb to the top till now. So I am hoping it will continue the same way," Aishwarya concludes on that self-assured and positive note. Well, with her loyalties devoted to Toasty and clan for now, we can only hope for the best for her!  

*Courtesy: Showtime