Khwaish was offered to Neha Bamb

The entire focus of Maayka seems to have suddenly shifted to you. Yes. I'm quite liking it. As an artiste, I'm only there for work. The rest I don't get into. I raise my voice only if I'm rubbed the wrong way. I mean all the controversy that happened over the production house.. who gained anything out of it? What- ever happened, I've benefitted work-wise. How's your equation with your new co-stars? They are really nice girls. They've fit into their roles perfectly. There wasn't any awkwardness right from the day they came in. They were supportive and so was I. Anyone's entry or exit doesn't really affect me much. I'm there only to work.. not for friendships or animosity. Why aren't you doing any other show? As a work principle, I only do one show at a time. One show takes up all 30 days in a month. Everyone in the media understands that. At one point, everyone thought I wasn't doing the lead, so I was offered more roles. But I turned them down, because I wouldn't be able to do justice to the roles if I took them up. Weren't you approached by Balaji Telefilms after Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai? Of course. I almost agreed, but ultimately I couldn't do it. They'd offered me the lead in Khwaish. Earlier, the plan was to shoot in Dubai for a while and then con- tinue shooting in Mumbai. Later their plan changed and I couldn't see myself adjusting to heavy shooting schedules in Dubai. So I opted out. Who is more like you - Maahi (Maay- ka) or Kripa (Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai)? Neither. I'm a normal girl like you. These are fictional characters cre- ated to talk and act in a certain way. I can't be like either of them in real life. Are you doing any films down south? Yeah, whenever I get the time. If they require me for 10-12 days, I'm okay with it but I can't go beyond that. I have a daily show running here and I can't leave mid-way. What about Hindi films? No, I'm not doing any because I don't see myself doing a Bolly- wood potboiler. Also, I can't let down my family by doing something they don't want me to. What's next for Maahi now? I'll have to look at the script to tell you that. Characters on television, unlike films, are indefinite. They shape up simultaneously with the show. Rumour has it that you're planning to tie the knot soon.. Yes, I'm getting married in Decem- ber. It's with my family's consent. I'm looking forward to it but I need to keep telling myself that my life's going to take a 360-degree shift in a few months from now. rachana.dubey@hindustantimes.com