Mom wouldn't mind me being in live-in relationship: Esha Deol

By Devapriyo Bhattacharjee, Mumbai, Sep 4 : Esha Deol, daughter of actors Dharmendra and Hema Malini, says that her mom wouldn't mind her being in a live-in relationship before marriage and adds that her dream man should be like her dad.

"I believe in a love marriage and am looking for a guy who would have some qualities of my father," said Esha, who will be seen next with Shiney Ahuja in "Hijack".

"I think every girl wants her life partner to have some qualities of her father and I also want the same. My father has been the closest man in my life till now and I'm familiar with his qualities and therefore want my man to be like him," Esha told IANS in an interview.

Although her parents are looking for a suitable match for her, the 25-year-old actress is not game for an arranged marriage.

"My mom is a modern kind of person and would not mind if I even go for a live-in relationship with someone. I think I would like to live with him for at least two years and then think of getting married.

"It's always better to know a person well before marriage than getting divorced later," she quipped.

According to Esha, she and her mother share many interests.

"Both of us like dancing and acting; therefore we share a lot of common things among us. Besides, she has been a constant support in my life."

She said Hema is now trying to revive her banner H.M. Creations, which made Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Dil Aashna Hai" in 1992.

"My mom is very keen to revive her banner. She thinks this is the best time to start a project as the market has really grown during the past couple of years. Also, we believe in the saying 'make hay when the sun shines'."

Though they have decided to make a film, the script has not yet been finalised.

"We are going through various scripts, but nothing has been finalised yet."

Esha debuted with "Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe" in 2002 and in the last six years featured in several films, but success has eluded her so far. She was a part of successful films like "Dhoom", "Yuva" and "No Entry", but all of them were multi-starrers.

After doing glamorous roles in run-of-the-mill films, Esha now wants to do some meaningful cinema.

"Though I am happy with my sexy image, I want to do meaningful cinema. There is nothing wrong being sexy as most of the actresses feel proud if they are termed as 'sexy and hot'; so do I.

"But at the same time I want to do some films that also show my acting talent," she said.

She is positive about "Hijack" and says it has tapped her acting potential in the right way.

"The role that I am playing in 'Hijack' is what I have never tried before. For the first time I will not be romancing my hero, neither will I be seen running around trees, not even in a dream sequence," said Esha who plays an air hostess in the movie.

"My character is experienced and believes in herself and helps the protagonist, played by Shiney Ahuja, with all her experience in rescuing the passengers."

She rubbished reports that she didn't get along with Shiney on the sets of "Hijack".

"It is not true at all. Shiney and I get along well and I think the media reports of my strained relations with him were just a publicity gimmick. I'm looking forward to do another film with him."

Asked about working with debutant director Kunal Shivdasani, Esha said: "Kunal is an experienced ad filmmaker and he has applied his experience in making the film. He has shot the film aesthetically and also in a realistic way."

"Hijack", which also stars K.K. Raina and debutante Kaveri Jha in important roles, releases this Friday.