She is undoubtedly one of the prettiest faces in Indian television today. And, one of the most talented ones as well. However, success has always come in her career as a part time resident and she has had a mix bag of failures as well. For every successful Kavyanjali, she had at least a couple of failures like Mahabharata in her pocket! After a moderately successful run in Dancing Queen - a reality show on Colors, the pretty actress is gearing up for a new Bollywood film. Anita Hassanandani, also known as Natassha, spoke to TellyChakkar on her past, present and Eijaz Khan. Excerpts from the interview.

You had a quite successful run in Dancing Queen. What are your plans after that?

Thank You! Right now, nothing new is happening for me on the television front. However, there is something up my sleeve on the big screen. I have just signed a comedy film opposite Kay Kay Menon - Benny Aur Babloo. It is being directed by Yunus Sajawal, the writer of the superhit Golmaal. He has been very close to David Dhawan and has worked with him a lot. I am pinning a lot of hopes on this film.

Till date you have not had a very successful ride in the big screen. Most of your films including Krishna Cottage, Koi Aap Saa, Kuch To Hai and Dus Kahaniyaan, have not done well.

I would not like to comment on that. All I would like to say is that this film is going to be unique and viewers are going to see me in a never-before avatar. We are starting shooting in June. I am not at liberty of disclosing anything else, but trust me this is going to be unique and you will like it.

You have been shuttling between the small and big screen. Would you like to quit television and concentrate on the big screen, like many of your colleagues?

Why should I? If there is a good role in television, why should I say No? Just because I have got a hit in big screen? I feel that would be very foolish.

In fact, I would extrapolate your question and answer one of the questions faced by almost all actors who take up work in South Indian and Hindi movies. Just because someone is doing a South Indian movie does not mean that they don't have work in Mumbai. It can also mean that the role that actor got in a South Indian movie is better.

I follow this principle in taking up work. If the role is good, I do not bother about what it is - a Hindi movie, a television serial or a South Indian movie. For example, recently I did this very nice music video with Roop Kumar Rathod - the only reason being that the work was good and refreshing for me. But is it right to infer that I don't have work elsewhere? I don't think so.

You have always worked only with the Balaji group and seem to share a very special rapport with them.

Yes I have a very special rapport with all of them right from Ekta to Shobha aunty and Jeetu uncle to Tusshar. They are part of my family. I consider myself very lucky to have come to close to them and also to have got so many prized roles from Balaji. In fact when I look back at my career, I can't but be indebted to them. I have learned so much from them and they have helped me gain a foothold in this industry.

The whole industry is gaga over your and Eijaz Khan's relation. Are you getting married soon?

Sometimes the attention becomes difficult to handle! But I have no qualms in admitting that Eijaz is one of the best things to have happened in my life. I consider myself really lucky to have come close to a wonderful person like Eijaz. People keep on asking us when we are getting married. My only request to them and everyone else is to have a bit more patience. Both of us are concentrating on our careers now and want to get settled there completely before settling down on the personal front! We will plan marriage when we feel we are ready!


There is a huge difference of Natasha in 2004 and Anita Hassanandani of 2009.

In terms of physical appearance -- I do agree with you. I have lost a lot of weight and look and feel much fit today. I believe being fit gives you a big high and confidence. Needless to say, viewers always want to see you in a good shape. I had to work really hard for this. But mentally I am the same Anita that I was five years back. I am content with what I have achieved and not in a hurry to prove myself.

Do you watch television while taking a break?

Not really. Whenever I get some free time, I go out and spend time with my friends and family. But I am following Balika Vadhu and Bandini for some time now.