"I like being married and all things associated with it." - Anita Hassanandani

After doing episodics and reality shows the pretty model turned actress is back to doing a full fledged role in Ye Hai Mohabbatein on Star Plus. Playing the role of Shagun who is married to Raman (Karan Patel) and mother to li'l Ruhi (Ruhanika Dhawan), Anita's entry has added to the excitement to the show.

Anita was last seen in a mature love story in the episodic Yeh Hai Aashiqui after which she had a dream wedding in Goa last October. Taking off on a long break for her honeymoon and New Year the actress got back to work and still sounds in a daze as she tells us about her vacation, "I had gone to Maldives and Dubai and I have just got back from my longish break during which I combined my honeymoon and New Year."

It is obvious that she is enjoying her newly married life, "Yes, married life is lovely. I like being married since I like all the things associated with it. I like cooking, going grocery shopping, spending time at home, taking care of household matters... so I am comfortable being married. Actually my elder sister got married at the young age of 19 years and I have seen her life as a housewife and I have picked up stuff from her," reveals Anita.

So what prompted her to take up this assignment which will keep her busy and away from home? "I cannot just stay at home and need to work. When Ekta Kapoor conceived this show she had me in mind for this character and I am glad that I could do something like this. It is a grey character with many more shades to it and it is something different which I have never done earlier. It is a challenge to play this rather than playing just a bahu which I have done many a times."

Apart from this show, Anita is also busy with her Punjabi film 'Yaara Da Ketchup' where she again plays a simple, loving doting wife. Telling us more about the same Anita says, "Currently, I am busy completing the shoot for my Punjabi film and after it gets over I will be committed for 20 days a month for this show since this role is not a cameo but a full-fledged role which will go on for long."

That leaves her no time for reality shows or any other work says Anita, "In fact this year I was offered Nach Baliye season 6, but I did not take it up since my husband Rohit Reddy who is not from the entertainment industry said a point blank no to it since it didn't excite him and I respect his decision. Even I would prefer doing a serious dance reality show like Jhalak Dikhla Jaa rather than Nach Baliye. However, all said and done when you are doing a daily soap there is no time left to do anything else, so it depends on my state of mind at the time of getting the offer since you cannot plan in advance."

At present Anita who has her hands full is trying to balance both - her house and work says, "This is all very new to me but thankfully there is no pressure as such from anyone. Rohit too has lived alone in Mumbai so he can manage on his own if the need be. We share a relationship wherein we are more like friends and compatible."

Anita who plays a mother in Ye Hai Mohabbatein says she likes being with kids, "I love kids and connect with them very easily." However she blushes when asked when she will start a family in real life, "No plans of starting a family as yet... I don't know, not so soon." Prod a little more and she says, "Let's see... There is nothing planned as such maybe be 3 years down the line," concludes Anita with her sweet smile.

Seema Khot Mattoo