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Hema Malini took her role as a good neighbour a step forward when she helped Shatrughan Sinha in time of need. Not many know that the Sinhas and Hema Malini were neighbours, when the latter lived at Juhu. The two families have shared a close relation with Esha, Ahana, Luv and Kush having practically grown up together.

So years later when Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha decided to produce Mera Dil Leke Dekko, and were desperately on the look-out for a star to do a cameo, it was none other than Esha who stepped in to help her erstwhile neighbours. “I was running from pillar to post looking for the perfect face but was unsuccessful in getting one,” says Poonam. “My director Rohit Kaushal was equally tense, as our film was getting delayed. It was around that time that I discussed my problem with Hema and she suggested Esha for the role.”

Hema’s daughters and the Sinha twins have practically grown up in each other’s houses. “In fact, when Hema used to shoot, Esha and Ahana would come over to our place after school and play with my kids. There were times when Hema would call my children over to her place,” she says.

When contacted, Esha sounded upbeat about the role. “I agreed to play a cameo in Poonam aunty’s film because I respect her,” she said. “They are like our family. It was not that I was doing them a favour. I genuinely felt like doing this role. However, I am sure that if someone else had come up with a similar offer, I wouldn’t have taken it.”

So has Esha taken a remuneration for the role? “No,” says Poonam. “She was very sweet. She came to the set and did it free of cost. My husband is very fond of both the sisters. Both are well groomed and well behaved. They always talk with utmost respect to elders.”

My Dad is my God! We both share a very special relationship. Contrary to the belief that he wasn’t around during my growing up days, he has always been there, whenever I have wanted him. I have no complaints against him. In fact, when mom used to be away, he would take care of us. Once I remember mom was out of town. Early in the morning he woke me and my sister up and bathed us. After that he dressed me up in a party frock, though it was 10 am, put dark kohl in my eyes and I was all set to go nowhere. It was so sweet!

Even at this age, dad is very romantic. He writes poems, he regales us with tales of the days he was courting mom. Believe me, the way he looks at mom, anyone can make out the feelings that he has for her. There’s so much of respect, romance and love between them. Dad has everything a woman wants - charm, looks, humility, respect for his partner - no wonder mom fell in love with him! I want a man like my dad. I want my kids to have a father like him. My relationship with him has evolved over the years. He is like a friend to me but I don’t cross the line of respect. Dad believes that daughters are the emotional support of their parents and I agree with him. By nature I am very bindaas and fearless, but if there is any person that I am scared of, then it’s my dad. He has complete control over me! If anything wrong happens to dad, then I crumble. He is my pillar of strength.

Interestingly, of late, dad has been taking extra interest in my looks. He thinks that the new look that I have got looks great on me. The whole world may think that I look like my mom, but dad believes that I look like him. One thing dad loves to see me in are Indian clothes. He is shooting in Bangkok today, so I will wish him over the phone and give him the gifts that I picked up recently on my world tour when he comes back home.

Even before director Apurva Lakhia’s dream project could go on the floors, two of the film’s leading ladies have opted out. Both Urmila Matondkar and Esha Deol have cited date problems as the reason for their abandoning Shootout at Lokhandwala. When contacted, Lakhia says, “It is true that Urmila and Esha are not doing the film anymore. Our film is a multistarrer and coordinating stars’ dates was a big problem. For us, Sanjay Dutt’s dates are the most important as he plays the lead and, therefore, we have to adjust others’ dates around his.” However, the rumour doing the rounds is that Urmila and Esha were both dissatisfied with the length of their respective roles and that is what prompted them to leave the film. Lakhia explains his stand. “Everybody in the film has roles where they are required for 3-5 days. Roles were narrated accordingly to all the actors, right at the beginning.” Urmila, on her part, says, “Yes, I was pretty excited about doing the film, but I could not do it finally. I keep doing shows and because of that, I have a paucity of dates. However, I wish the cast and crew all the best.”

While most stars have this love-hate relationship with critics (who on some Fridays rave about their films and on other days put it through the shredder), Esha Deol has no choice but to love her critic. That’s because her biggest critic is in her own family. She chirpily says, “Yes, my mom is my best critic, and a very tough critic too. After seeing me in Dhoom she said ‘Wow!’ There are some films she doesn’t like and she criticises me for them. She fires me for so many things.” We’re sure a toughie like Esha can handle many a tough critic. What say, Esha?