Ashlesha Sawant, who debuted with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and then went on to be part of shows like Kamal, Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, Saath Phere, Pavitra Rishta, Bayttaab Dil Kee Tamanna Hai and Dil Se Diya Vachan, is happy with the way her role in Star Plus’ Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara, produced by Rajshri Productions is shaping up. Talking about it, Ashlesha states, “Preeti is a very real person and does not fear to call a spade a spade. Also it is a pleasant change to not be just the bhabhi on television, but to play someone who is out to create hell in everyone’s life.” On her best work so far, Ashlesha does not think twice to say, “My best stint till date has to be Saath Phere (Zee TV). I learned so much from excellent actors like Surekha Sikri, Akshay Anand, Neena Gupta.” The actress has no qualms on not taking up lead roles. She avers, “I had been offered the lead in the first season of Balaji Telefilms’ Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat on Sony. But I realized that playing the lead is not my cup of tea. You have no life, and that only means that you do not have the space to experiment, as leads cannot have different shades. I am happy playing the character artiste roles. Even now I am being offered different kind of characters.” Ashlesha who prefers to keep her personal life out of the media eye does not feel that, “The attitude of Aditya (Nakuul Mehta) in the show (does not have trust in the institution of marriage) is reflective of the general trend in men to stay away from relationships. He is like this as he comes from a broken family. As for societal trend, you cannot generalize commitment phobia to just gender. I know many women who don’t want to settle down as well. A relationship works only if you feel happy and secure in it. No happy marriage will survive if either party feels suffocated.” In closing, the talented actress is happy that the ratings of Pyaar Ka Dard having risen (2.4 TVR). “I always had faith in this Rajshri concept and actually keep telling my co-stars that things will fall in place soon.” Ashlesha, enjoy your role to the core!!