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!

Ayesha Takia & Akshay Kumar 8×10 Tasveer Movie Stills (Part 4).

Ayesha Takia & Akshay Kumar 8×10 Tasveer Movie Stills (Part 3)

Ayesha Takia & Akshay Kumar 8×10 Tasveer Movie Stills (Part 2).

Ayesha Takia & Akshay Kumar 8×10 Tasveer Movie Stills (Part 1).

Ayesha Takia & Akshay Kumar Feat the song “Hafiz Khuda” from the movie 8×10 tasveer.

The Bollywood movie 8×10 Tasveer, which premiered on Friday, is the story of a young man (Akshay Kumar) with the unique supernatural gift of being able to look into dead people’s pasts.

Kumar has taken a break from his usual over-the-top comic roles to play a subdued and complex character in this film, directed by Nagash Kukunoor. It also stars Ayesha Takia and Sharmila Tagore.

The Sunday Times Extra is giving away five double tickets to Gauteng readers to watch the movie at Nu Metro Montec asino.

To win tickets, answer this question: who stars in the male lead role of 8×10 Tasveer?

She has just returned from her month-long honeymoon and Ayesha Takia is still glowing with pride, joy and excitement .

“We went all over Europe for our honeymoon. Farhan knows London well because he studied there. We relaxed, walked the streets, went into cosy cafes. Now we’re back in the heat of Mumbai,” says Ayesha.

So how is she finding life after marriage? “Honestly I can’t see the difference between before and after the wedding. My husband Farhan Azmi has been an integral part of my family for five years now. I’ve no close friends. For me, my mom and sister are the closest people in my life.”

Even now Ayesha and her husband spend more time with Ayesha’s family than with Farhan’s. “That hasn’t changed. I was without my mom and sister for a month. Now again we’re together doing what we always did, chatting, joking, and having fun while mom cooks for all of us. Since Farhan has been part of my family I can’t remember what my life was like before him.”

After being in a relationship for a long time has marriage to him made Ayesha feel any different? “Everybody keeps asking how it feels. It feels exactly the same as it did before. Farhan and I felt so married all along. Now that the wedding has actually happened we keep looking at each other and wondering if we’re really married. We’re trying to behave differently now, acting very mature and responsible, but it isn’t working. The only time we feel married is when we see one another’s wedding rings.”

The good part about being married to a restaurateur was, she said, “I married him because I can’t cook. It was a grand plan, to marry a man, who can get me all the food at home without paying for it.” she jokes. However, she immediately adds she is being careful about her weight. “I know people tend to put on weight after marriage. So I’m being very careful about my diet and going to the gym.”

Her latest film 8×10 Tasveer released just when she returned from her honeymoon and before asking for her reaction she in turn asked, “I haven’t seen it yet. Is it good? I’m excited about being credited for the first time as ‘Ayesha Takia Azmi’.”

Ayesha will soon begin to shoot for her next film, Revathy Sharma’s Phir Tum Mil Gaye. “I’m relaxing in Mumbai for a week to let the fact that I’m married sink in. Then I start shooting for Revathy’s film. It’s about three women, and I’ve always wanted to work with Jayaji (Jaya Bachchan). I’m really looking forward to it because it’s a woman-oriented subject, in fact it’s the director’s own life-story. The minute the director narrated the script I knew this was the first film I wanted to do after my marriage.”

Ayesha Takia who got married just few weeks back with her long time boyfriend Farhan Azmi is ready to face the camera in Aprial for her next venture Phir Tum Mil Gaye.

We spoke to our close source
“Before marriage decision, she had signed Revathy’s film “Phir Tum Mil Gaye” with R.Madhavan. Jaya Bachchan and Raveena Tondon are in the lead. She liked the subject of the film which is a woman oriented one. Moreover in this film, Jaya Bachchan plays her adopted mother which we can hardly see in any Bollywood films. This subject was also liked by Farhan. The shooting of this film will take place whole of April in Mumbai and its going to finish in one schedule of 30 days. Its only after completing this project will Ayesha think of taking on any other project.”

The film is directed by Revathy and its a remake of Tamil film.

This is the second look of 8×10 tasveer in which Ayesha Takia & Akshay Kumar both are starring.