WHY AYESHA JHULKA STEPPED AWAY FROM FILMS

'I've not been doing much work because I was not getting the kind of roles I want to do.'

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Aamir Khan’s 60th birthday had us flashbacking to many of his earlier films, among them the coming-of-age sports drama Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.

We caught up with Ayesha Jhulka, who played Anjali, the girl-next-door with a secret crush on Aamir’s Sanjay. Three decades have passed since, and Ayesha hasn’t changed much. She’s still the desi girl who, in the ‘90s, made not just Aamir but even Salman Khan, Mithun Chakraborty and Akshay Kumar’s hearts beat faster. At the turn of the century, she found her real-life Romeo and settled down.

Since then, the actress has been seen on screen only occasionally. Ayesha says, “I was tired of the bubby roles and wanted to do something more meaningful, a shift that happens with every actress after a certain age.”

Do people still walk up to you and talk about Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Anjali?

Oh yes, and along with Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Khiladi, Kurbaan, Dalaal and surprisingly, Balma too. The songs of these films are still very popular which, I guess, is why they live on.

Also, some of the characters I played, like Anjali, have stayed on in people’s minds. (Laughs) Some tell me I still look the same which is sweet, but not really true because as you grow older, you grow up and your perspective of life changes.

How difficult was it for you to navigate the ‘90s when you were at the peak of your career?

Honestly, I was very young then and there was no premeditated plan that I followed which is how it happens now. I just went with the flow. My career was shaped by my dedication and my performances.