'We are a family of workaholics'

For international actor Ayesha Dharker, life is an opera of sorts with work, family and fun making up its plots and turns

Her large, smouldering eyes react instantly even before Ayesha Dharker does. And when you bring the stage and her television work into the conversation, they positively dance. For the 30-year-old daughter of noted poet, artist and documentary film-maker Imitiaz Dharker and writer Anil Dharker is a drama queen alright.   “I’ve been lucky,” she says simply, “I’ve made it to Broadway too. I’m surprised how I far have actually come.”

At the moment, Ayesha is on a respite from her role in Coronation Street and is relaxing at her studio apartment in central London. “I love this space,” she reveals, her voice trailing to say, “Someday, I’m going to buy a lighthouse and convert it into a little home, with the bedroom right at the top, that’s my dream.”

The place is also special as mum Imtiaz lives right across the road. “Mum and I meet at the gym and spend quite a lot of time together. You know, she has always been the first to know about anything that happens  in my life and naturally I ask for her advice on things. And the irritating thing is that mum is always right,” she laughs, adding “Being an only kid, you become very close to your parents so we are in touch often, though we’re busy. In fact, I’d say we’re a family of workaholics.”

For now, Mumbai doesn’t fit into Ayesha’s scheme of things. “I have spent so much of that phase when I was trying to experiment with commercial cinema outside India,” she reflects. But when she does drop in, she finds herself enjoying a balance of work and play. “I still remember shooting a scene along the Mahim pipeline all day, dropping in for a quick pedicure after work and going out for a really lovely dinner with friends after a very long shower. That’s Mumbai, isn’t it?” she laughs.
t_ismat@dnaindia.net