An unforgettable lunch with Aishwarya Sakhuja

Check the slideshow above Call her Shikha Verma or Samaira, it’s the busy and lovely Aishwarya Sakuja this week at Nesta in Suba Galaxy. Aishwarya promised to meet me at 2.30 for lunch - after completing a 9pm-7am shift, the actor had to catch up on precious sleep and despite the sultry weather, the 5foot 9 inches tall actor looked fresh and breezy in a black and white outfit. Fnb Manager Hemant Angane suggested we try the food at Nesta café nestled in Hotel Suba Galaxy, Andheri. The calorie-conscious actor overlooked the starters of Harabara Kebab and Paneer Tikka Tirangi – fresh and soft tri-colored Paneer cubes marinated in different chutneys of mint and red chilli paste we had ordered and went straight with the main course. Skipping north Indian and Continental, she settled for Chinese with a glass of fresh lime in water. The secret to her svelte figure: Her diet regimen begins with hot water (“I never drink cold or room temp water”) followed by musk melon and muesli for breakfast. The secret to her svelte figure is having just one subzi and a portion of dal. 2 egg whites and bhel take care of her evening hunger pangs ending the day with grilled chicken or fish for supper. “Throughout the day I have hot water or green tea,” she says. For a person who doesn’t know to cook, baking a cake is a cake-walk. Query her about her off-screen chemistry or rather lack of it with her co-star Vikas Manaktala, she surprises me with her frank and forthright attitude. She makes no bones about the fact when she admits, “I have a love-hate relationship with Vikas!” Check out the video to know more about Aishwarya’s honest impressions about her co-star. According to me her fiancé and Line Producer Rohit Nag is a lucky guy.…. unlike typical girlie behaviour to shop aimlessly and splurge money, Aishwarya does not believe in overindulgences. She is a careful and sensible shopper which makes Rohit who pampers her while shopping remark, “You have not even spent your per day income and you are done with it.” She wants a simple one-day wedding celebration while her father wishes (his armaan) to organise a grand four-day affair but the young lady is practical enough to voice her opinion, “What armaaaan???” she asks, “Why have all the shor-sharaba for four long days when the guests invariably end up saying, ‘chicken tikka was not up to the mark’. There is no pleasing everyone! The D Day is tentatively set for December this year but the no-nonsense girl says, “If a plum role comes my way, wedding plans will have to wait,” adding matter-of-factly, “My career is very important to me.” Smart and sensible I must say! Our order of delicious Paneer Birbali, Navratan Korma, Kashmiri Pulao richly garnished with nuts and raisins along with Dal Makhni appear but she refuses to touch them with a barge pole. It is only a few spoonfuls of Fried Rice and Fish in garlic sauce for the lean gal. Citing an interesting paranormal incident which happened with her, she recounts: “One day when I was small, along with our cook who professed to dabble in magic and spells, called some spirits. Nothing happened and we both let it be. Later, both of us developed fever of 103 degrees and in the morning, when we opened the doors of our homes (cook lived in the servant’s quarter of her house), “We found a circle of blood outside both the houses.” Fortunately it stopped at that! She doesn’t drive nor is she a gizmo freak. But the adrenalin junkie won’t have desserts of yummilicious Gulab Jamuns, Gajar ka Halwa or ice cream (remember cold is taboo). Aishwarya here’s wishing you loads of success and happiness in life! Rapid Fire Qs with Aishwarya Sakhuja Foodie... Fave cuisine..... Do you cook....... Yes! Chinese….. No, I can’t cook… Fave dessert….. junk food Donuts. Chaats. A vegetable you hate… Cabbage. Will you enter Bigg Boss? Any other reality shows you would like to be a part of... The day I am emotionally strong, I will take part in Bigg Boss. I would love to participate in Khatron Ke Khiladi. If not an actor..... A veterinary doctor. (she is an animal lover!) Shopoholic….. brand conscious… No (this girl is a sensible shopper). Not brand conscious (but she had worn a stylish dress). Your dream destination... Egypt. You are paranoid about… Being unsuccessful professionally. Pet peeves… Narcissism and selfishness. Your stressbuster… Sleep. Encountered any cheesy pick-up lines… I have never given out those kinds of vibes. Any paranormal experience… Yes. (Please look up the text to read in detail) Advantage of being a recognized face… The love and acknowledgement you get is humbling. One thing no one knows about you… I hate to brush my teeth (she finds it to be the most boring thing and prefers a mouthwash before going to bed).