After ‘Jannat 2′, Esha Gupta is now acting in Prakash Jha’s ‘Chakravyuh’. “It was really amazing to be offered a role by director Prakash Jha. No sooner did I get the offer than I consulted Mahesh Bhatt, who was instrumental in helping me take up the offer. He also told me that Prakash sir is a brilliant director. Initially, I was very scared of Prakash sir. If I got a call on my cell from him when I was lying down, I would sit up straight,” Esha reveals.

Esha did require more than one take for all her acts. She says, “I think no actor is ever satisfied with one take; a second take brings some amount of satisfaction. We had read the script many times. Prakash sir would prepare us much before the scenes were really canned. In fact, preparations enable all of us to give our best. Prakash sir is an amazing director. He is very clear about what he wants from his actors. He is also a hard task master so every minute detail had to be cleared before we could face the camera.”

She adds, “I am lucky he never yelled at me. If he did shout at some point of time, it was inevitable. When you are filming scenes with more than 300-400 extras (naxalites) and with so many cops around, everything can’t run smoothly. Things are bound to go haywire. Otherwise he is a sorted out director; a man of few words.”

Esha did not find it difficult to slip into the role of a cop. “It would be wrong on my part to say preparing for the character was tough. I have come all the way from Delhi to make a career in films, so it is my duty to do my job perfectly. It makes no difference if I need to drape a sari or dress up like a cop. I had to do a few stunts like flying choppers and firing a gun. I practiced these and passed with flying colours. Since I have an Air Force background, I have been taught to do my job without any complaints,” she claims.

Esha takes her inspiration from Kiran Bedi. “I have watched Kiran Bedi perform the duties of a mother, a wife and a cop efficiently. She may be wearing ‘mehendi’ on her palm but she can pick up a gun and bring wrong doers to justice without an iota of hesitation. This movie is about the fight between naxalites and cops, a fight between law and wrong doers. Bearing this in mind, I performed my role,” she says.

Praising all her co-stars, she adds, “It was fun and a great learning experience working with Arjun Rampal. We got along well. We would discuss so many things while sharing our meals. He advised me and gave me some important tips. If I messed up my lines, Arjun and Abhay (Deol) helped me. Working with Emraan Hashmi was also a great experience. In fact, all my co-stars have helped me at all times.”

Esha thinks her dad is the sexiest man ever. “I am in awe of my dad. As a child whenever I had to be dropped and picked up from school I made it a point to have dad accompany me. Even now, whenever I go to Delhi he comes to pick me up. I find him the most handsome guy. I think Prakash sir is also a really sexy man. He is so humble and caring that you want to shower all your respect and love on him,” she says.

Obviously, then her Mr Right would have to match up to dad. “I would like a man as sexy as my dad. He should also be chivalrous with a good sense of humor; a witty man can never bore one to death. He should not be too possessive. He needs to give me space and respect me too. I wouldn’t really care if he was rich or not, but he should be able to provide for my basic needs at least. And from my end, what more can I give a man who will have all of me,” she says with a laugh.

So Esha is single and ready to mingle? “Keep guessing if I am single. Although I will say that at present, I intend to concentrate on my profession.”

Esha may not be religious but believes in an omnipresent strength. “I may not visit the Golden Temple frequently but I believe in working hard and getting what I want. Like people say in filmdom, one needs a godfather. I do not have one but I am proud of the little I have achieved. I have also purchased a flat. I believe luck and hard work go hand in hand,” she concludes.