Ayesha Jhulka talks about her journey in the Hindi film industry as an actress, the films she had to say no to, and the actors she’s still in touch with today.
Ayesha Jhulka File pic/Yogen Shah
Ayesha Jhulka has a lot of blockbusters to her credit as an actor from the '90s. Right from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar to Khiladi to Chachi 420, she has been one of the most successful and popular actors of her times. One of her last acting assignments was the Dev Anand film Censor. She was also seen in Anil Sharma's Genius three years back.
In an interview with
Times of India, she has now spoken about her Bollywood journey, refusing films that went on to become very successful, and the actors she's still in touch with today. When asked about the industry, the actress had something to say.
She said, "I am still a part of Bollywood; just not on screen. There is a lot of work coming my way in films, web-series, and also TV, but if I can't take it up unless I fit in. I am looking forward to doing roles that can give satisfaction as an actor. Otherwise, I keep busy doing work for animals. Also, I am writing a script, and reading a few which I am considering for acting prospects. So a lot is happening right now."
She didn't work after getting married and was asked about the same and this is what she said, "I started working at a very young age, so when I got married, I wanted a normal life. I quite enjoyed it! Being away from Bollywood after marriage was a good decision."
Jhulka also talked about the films she regrets turning down. She said, "There were a lot of films that I couldn't do. I couldn't do Mani Ratnam's 'Roja' due to date issues and I regretted it. Then there was a Rama Naidu film, 'Prem Qaidi' which I had to reject because I was supposed to be introduced in a bikini in the film."
And talking about the actors she's still in touch with, she named these people. "I am in touch with Jackie Dada, who does a lot of social work, especially towards the betterment of animals as he is also an animal lover. I wanted to start an animal ambulance in Lonavala and he recently donated a van to us. I am also in touch with Bhagyashree, Raveena Tandon, Hema Malini ji and a few more. Recently, I had a little mishap with my dog, and realised that a lot of people support me. It is like a family."
She added, "Here I would like to mention a person whom I have never worked with but who reached out to me--John Abraham. I really appreciate his support as not many people do that. I had met Aamir after years and nothing had changed; even when I meet Govinda, it's like no time has passed."
