By Jilawatan

She’s even more talkative than she was before marriage — obviously, becoming Mrs. Ayesha Farhan Azmi has made Ayesha Takia even more effervescent. What’s more, hubby seems to have proved professionally lucky for her, for “Wanted,” which released Sept. 18, is her first-ever hit and blockbuster. “Wanted,” directed by India’s top choreographer, Prabhudeva, making his filmmaking debut, stars Salman Khan as a hit-man who comes up against corrupt Mumbai police and a doozy of a bad guy (National Award winner Prakash Raj).

Producer Boney Kapoor announced Sept. 25 that he was planning a sequel to “Wanted,” which he said earned Rs. 40 crores its first week alone.

Indian PR being what it is, the interviews are held a mere three days before the release so we have to look at a pre-“Wanted” feel in her answers.

For those who came in late, Ayesha Takia’s first film, “Socha Na Tha,” also marked the debuts of Abhay Deol and Imtiaz Ali, but it was delayed and so she made her first impression with Abbas-Mustan’s “Taarzan – The Wonder-Car” (2004). The only film of Ayesha’s that did average business was “Shaadi Se Pehle” (2006), since even films like “Dil Maange More!!!” with Shahid Kapoor, “8X10 Tasveer” with Akshaye Khanna, big films like “Salaam-e-Ishq” and “Shaadi No.1” and even her acclaimed “Dor,” failed to meet box-office expectations. Before that, she was a child model who was a star in her own right who according to her then-co-child star Shahid Kapoor was into throwing tantrums! We start the interview on that note.

Excerpts from an interview with India-West:

Q: Met Shahid Kapoor recently and he says that as a child he hated you as you would throw tantrums and make him cool his heels on the sets!

A: (Laughs loudly) He is right! I was a brat, since I was a star of sorts and he had started modeling after me! But when we worked on “Dil Maange More!!!” and “Fool’N’Final” we got along fine.

Q: How similar is the character of “Wanted” to your real self?

A: I think that no matter how different a character I play, a little bit of me seeps into every role. I am keeping my fingers crossed now — “Wanted” is a good product, and what is important is that the film should be a hit.

Q: How was the rapport with Salman Khan? And does the age difference show?

A: Actually, we girls have to be careful about looks. Men as a rule start looking great as they age, and that’s true of Salman Khan too. My husband Farhan looks hotter than when I first met him and so I wonder how he will look when he touches 35! It’s we women who have to worry! Salman was a great co-star — very caring and supportive.

Q: Are you really quitting films now that you are married?

A: Frankly, I have no clue where that came from! I never said that I am quitting, nor does my husband want me to do so. I will act as long as the people want to watch me. My next film is Revathy’s next, with Jaya Bachchan. I am looking for a blend of commercial appeal and scope for acting; I have always done that.

Q: What do you think of Abhay Deol, your first co-star’s, present work?

A: I am really proud of Abhay and where he has reached doing the kind of work that he believes in. Let me tell you a secret — among my own films, our “Socha Na Tha” is still my favorite, not “Dor” that got me more acclaim.

Q: Do you have any wish-list of co-stars?

A: Shah Rukh Khan, of course! (laughs) I recently shook hands with him at an awards function and did not feel like washing it forever!