My mother Naseem Bano who was called the first 'Pari Chehra' or beauty queen of the film industry, had taken me to London after she saw me taking fancy to her ghaghra, lipstick and dance to the tunes of her film songs. For her, academics were more important than films.

It is mutual love, respect and adoration that keep a marriage ticking.

My grandmother Shahmshad Begum was an accomplished classical singer. And I'd often urge her to teach me. She would demand that I sit and practice singing with her, which I never did. But I finally did sing in Mohan Kumar Saab's 'Aman.'

I consider myself very fortunate.

I am not being a martyr when I say that I don't regret putting my career on the backburner.

My husband deserves the top honours for the work he has done and the man that he is.