It's been 27 years since she made her Bollywood debut, but in public memory, she is still the Suman of Maine Pyar Kiya (MPK). Despite making headlines with her very first film, Bhagyashree gave it all up for the man she was 'madly in love with'. After disappearing from the spotlight for a while, she returned with sporadic appearances on television, the medium with which she started out as an actress with Amol Palekar's Kachchi Dhoop. But the new Bhagyashree is a far cry from the shy, timid desi girl. Her social media accounts portray a bolder, confident woman - fun-loving, fitness-conscious, fashionable and sexy. In an exclusive interview with Bombay Times, the actress opens up about her future plans, her new avatar and her first hero, Salman Khan. Excerpts...

You were out of action for almost a year. Why?
I was diagnosed with calcification in my shoulder soon after my TV show Laut Aao Trisha wrapped up. The pain was unbearable. It took me eight months to get going again. I couldn't even lift a spoon or brush my teeth during that period. I feel healthier and prouder now. I have started blogging about my experiences to help people lead healthier lives. I  have also been travelling as it expands your horizon by helping you connect with real people. I'd rather meet people on one-to-one basis than at parties. Being at a party means following norms. Besides, I don't have to reconstruct MPK's success to get noticed; people do that by default. Most actresses work their entire lives to get what I got in my very first film, so I don't crave for it.

After seeing your Instagram pictures, it looks like the conservative Bhagyashree has turned bolder...
I am more confident now. I got a lot of love after MPK, but didn't gain confidence. I became confident only after discovering myself. I realised that I am capable of doing far more than just films, which is giving love to people. I hope to be an inspiration that's real.I wear the dress and it's not the other way round. I don't have to wear skimpy clothes to show my confidence. I don't wear shorts in the house because I stay with my in-laws. I pick clothes appropriately for each occasion. I don't want my kids to be embarrassed on a public platform. Also, people see me as the ideal bahu/beti and I wouldn't want to break that image. If I were to choose a role which required me to wear certain clothes, I would make the judgement at that time. I'm not averse to the idea.

Do you regret quitting when you were at the peak of your career?
People matter, things don't. Awards and recognition are momentary pleasures. After a while, it's just going to adorn your shelf. I was at a stage when I had to choose between a great career and the man I loved madly. Even if I were to go back in time, I would do it the same way. My husband (Himalaya) was possessive and he wasn't comfortable seeing me romancing other men on screen. In fact, my in-laws are more comfortable and cool about me acting than him.

Himalaya also tried his luck in acting, but made a quick exit...
He tried something when he was young and drifted to another field when it didn't work out. He has nothing to do with acting now.

Himalaya was uncomfortable about Salman romancing you in MPK. What kind of an equation do they share I today?
They have met only once after that. Salman was the first to know about my relationship with Himalaya during the shoot of the song, Dil Deewana. He would follow me around and hum the song in my ear. I kept warning him that people will start talking about us. After irritating me or half-a-day, he said that he knew about Himalaya. He even suggested hat I call Himalaya to the location. They were cordial when they met.

Are you still in touch with Salman?
On and off. I wish him on his birthday and exchange pleasantries when we meet at functions.

Did he ever try to persuade you to come back to movies?
Everyone knows that the magic of MPK can't be recreated. I don't say 'No' to what the universe offers. If it has to happen, it will, but that conversation never happened and I don't hold anything against him.

If you two were to reunite on screen, would you be comfortable playing his sister or bhabhi?
Forget me, I don't think the audience would accept me as Salman's bhabhi.

There were reports that he was sup posed to launch your son Abhimanyu...
Not really. I was once asked by the media if I would want Salman to launch Abhimanyu, and I said that would be wonderful. They asked me if would talk to him about it and I replied, 'Maybe'. It's the media's job to write the way they want to but that shouldn't create an awkward situaion between people. I had actually called Salman and clarified. He was cool about it. I also told him that I would like him to meet Abhimanyu, but we didn't take that forward.

Your last show didn't work too well...
It did till I was in the show. I quit the show once it became regressive.

Is acting your priority now?
It's a wonderful place to be in - a career where you get to play different characters, though acting was never my scene. I was petrified of going on stage during school plays and the only time I was comfortable was when I had to play a tree.





Eijaz Khan finds acting cathartic. It helps him deal with childhood issues and nurse a broken heart. Facing the camera also makes him forget - though momentarily - his pain, as it lets him live “someone else's life“. In an interview with BT, the actor, who is still not over his break-up with Canadian multilingual singer Natalie Di Luccio, opened up about matters of love and labour. Read on...

These days, we don't see you enough on TV...
That's because I get bored. At 40, your work should excite you. It's pointless going through the process if the passion is missing. I am spending time with my father. It's not that I am not working. Since this is the only work that pays me, I come back whenever I am broke. But, it's not just about making money anymore.

Do you feel insecure seeing so many new faces in the industry?
I am happy that so many people want to act. I won't call them actors though. You don't become an actor by hitting the gym. Such people don't want to be actors; they want to be stars.

Your Bollywood career didn't shape up the way you must have expected after Tanu Weds Manu...
I agree. Probably, nobody recognised me as a Sardar. In hindsight, it's a blessing that people only saw the character and not me. It means I delved deep into the character. But TV doesn't require that. In fact, in the television industry, people ask me why I want to go deep into a character. Well, I am not a dumb actor. I will ask questions about my role so that I can deliver to the best of my abilities. I wouldn't have lasted had I not been like this. TV has become a medium to make money and money corrupts me. It's too late to change my approach and thinking. I am basically laid-back and believe that I will get what I deserve.

Why did your relationship with Natalie end?
We were two amazing people at different phases in our lives. The root cause of our relationship falling apart was my psyche. It started going downhill during Laut Aao Trisha. I played a dark character, who turns bitter after losing his wife and daughter. Somewhere, the lines blurred between real and reel and our relationship suffered. I had to undergo therapy for depression, and it made me realise that I was superimposing my childhood memories to play the part. I also realised that all my issues are deeply rooted in my childhood. I had unresolved issues with my parents after they parted ways. My aunts took turns to look after me. I never had a strong bond with my parents. I was always looking for someone to hold on to, some sort of an anchor.

Coming back to Natalie, we remain cordial. I never loved anybody like I loved her - like a child, my equal, a friend, travel partner. I don't think it was right for me to expect Natalie to give her precious time to our relationship. I would have also advised her to focus on her career if I were her family. I am the only person who knows the real Natalie. After she left, I was very disturbed to the point of not wanting to live anymore. I would lock myself up in my room for days on end. As actors, we are emotionally fragile. On top of that, we men are expected to be macho and strong, no matter how broken we are inside.

Has therapy helped you?
I won't say I am at peace, but I have started directing my energies towards my goal. That eases me out. I am in turmoil when I am not working, as I have to live with myself.

You put your career on hold when you were in the relationship...
Natalie didn't ask me to. I invested my time, energy and happiness in her without being asked. Love and respect make my world go round. I become the best person for my partner. I give so much expecting the same or more in return - it doesn't stem from self-respect, it stems from insecurity. I have abandonment issues. If I love somebody, I need to be loved back. But overwhelming your partner is not right. I won't mind putting my career on the backburner if my partner wants me to stay at home and take care of the child. I am an actor and can return to the field whenever I want.

What do you think about love and marriage?
I am not averse to the idea, but I am not looking forward to it either. I can't go through the trauma of losing someone again.