Voted Most Promising Newcomer (Female) at this year's Filmfare awards, the bubbly actress is full of fun.

Contributing Special Correspondent A Ganesh Nadar caught up with Ayesha last week.

I have spent all my childhood years in Chembur (northeast Mumbai). I went to St Anthony's girl's convent.

Then we moved, and I studied in Pali Hill (northwest Mumbai). I signed my first movie Socha Na Tha when I was 16. I wanted to act in movies. After my (music) videos, people started calling and I signed what I thought was best.

I had to learn Hindi; we speak English at home. Acting is not something you can learn. Theatre helps you lose your inhibitions, but you can't learn acting. But if you are passionate about it, you can do it.

Design: Uday Kuckian