Lara Dutta on why she took a long break from acting

Actor Lara Dutta says she decided to momentarily step away from acting because she felt "jaded" being slotted in roles that required her to be either the "girlfriend or wife" of the leading men. After a career of almost a decade following her 2003 debut 'Andaaz', Dutta slowed down her film work post-2015.

The actor said the decision to take a break from the screen was fuelled by her desire to give time to her daughter Saira, whom she shares with her husband Mahesh Bhupathi, and also because the industry rarely challenged her with interesting parts.

"By the time I reached my early 30s, I honestly may have gotten a bit jaded. The industry was in a different space back then. You were cast because a glamourous actress had to be cast in a film. You were invariably playing the hero's girlfriend or wife. I got tired of it," Dutta said.

The 43-year-old actor said she decided to overcome the situation by consciously choosing comedy films, which she found offered her more scope to perform.

Dutta has featured in several blockbuster comedies like 'No Entry', 'Bhagam Bhag', 'Partner', and the 'Housefull' franchise.

"It gave me a lot more to do than be someone's wife of girlfriend. I left my mark by doing comic films that were successful and popular. That became my sweet spot and gave me the opportunity to do more than just be a pretty glamourous heroine on screen.

"By the time I had my daughter in my early 30s, I had gotten jaded and tired of that. It was important and refreshing for me to take that step away," she added.