“I’m not a bathroom singer; I’m a bathroom comedian” – Shenaz Treasurywala

Read More">At least a thousand people must have told you that you have a very photogenic face but not many know that you are an avid photographer yourself… do you still pursue this photography? I have been hopelessly in love with photography since I was 12 and won a camera in a gold spot slogan contest.Read More

At least a thousand people must have told you that you have a very photogenic face but not many know that you are an avid photographer yourself… do you still pursue this photography?
I have been hopelessly in love with photography since I was 12 and won a camera in a gold spot slogan contest. I enjoy capturing my impression of fleeting moments of beauty and documenting the way I see the world. It's just another way to express myself.

Any other hobbies that you actively pursue?
Reading. I am a voracious reader. Swimming. I always wanted to be professional swimmer. I love the water. I love the outdoors and trekking is one of my favorite things. I'm also a big runner, it de-stresses me.

Writing is always part of everything I do, be it hosting (I prefer writing my own scripts), my screenplay, magazine features, my diary...

And of course, Music & FILMS.

In the past few years there have been a lot of changes in Indian cinema. How do you think Indian cinema is evolving?
I am very interested in the small, offbeat films that are emerging that are more realistic than the usual Bollywood sagas.

I'm very bored with the overt glamour of mainstream Indian films. Give me a something real like the struggle between first-generation Bengali immigrants and their children -Namesakeor a film on 'The Indian Mutiny' like Mangal Pandey, or a Rang De Basanti that talks about the apathy of Indian youth towards our political system, or a film like Lagaan over the usual (yawn!) song dance Bollywood blockbuster anyday.

I think we can do much more with our films. Finally, out of all the mundane item number thrash, we are producing a few gems. I hope we continue to improve and make unique, Indian films and stop copying Hollywood films.

Decades ago, a man once told his wife “I don’t know if I love you because you are beautiful or you are beautiful because I love you”. Likewise, no one really knows that the screen gets lighted up because of Shenaz Treasurywala’s presence or is it the other way round! Well, Read More">Shenaz has made itRead More

Decades ago, a man once told his wife "I don't know if I love you because you are beautiful or you are beautiful because I love you". Likewise, no one really knows that the screen gets lighted up because of Shenaz Treasurywala's presence or is it the other way round! Well, Shenaz has made it big, not just on the silver screen but also on the small screen. If her screen presence in the recent TV show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge is anything to go by, then, it's anybody's guess that Shenaz is already spreading her magic over the audiences yet again.

Well, Bollywood Hungama caught up with this actress and came back tad impressed. Presented here are the experts of the interview with the super-gorgeous Shenaz Treasurywala.

First things first Shenaz, its good to have you back in good ol' Mumbai… How have you been?
Thank you very much. It's great to be back! I feel so blessed to receive such a warm welcome back. Family, friends, fans, journalists… I missed you all and I'm catching up with everybody besides stuffing my face with the yummiest food in the world. Nothing compares to the joy of being back in the motherland!

Where did you disappear all of a sudden?
After Ishq Vishk and MTV, I decided to take some time off and follow my own dreams of writing and traveling. That is how I got into hosting & producing travel shows for Discovery Travel Channel (aired in the U.S).

I also took the time to write a screenplay while I was traveling; it's a cross-cultural film, an offbeat romantic comedy. And of course guess who's acting in it?

Read More">You are hosting ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’ on television… This is indeed the best time to be in TV business in India with new channels and shows launching almost everyday. I have a lot of ideas about the kinds of shows I’d like to do. I have developed a number of treatments; have myRead More

You are hosting 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge' on television…
This is indeed the best time to be in TV business in India with new channels and shows launching almost everyday. I have a lot of ideas about the kinds of shows I'd like to do. I have developed a number of treatments; have my own production house too. I came back to India to be part of the TV boom here.

What made you take up this offer?
Many reasons: I love comedy. My greatest pleasure comes out of entertaining people and making them laugh. I have a secret desire to do stand up myself. I'm not a bathroom singer; I'm a bathroom comedian ;) (Okay, I just let you in on a big secret, one that has been between my shower and me for years :))

One of my favorite things to do abroad is to visit comedy clubs. I love stand up and have watched some of the best comedians in the world on stage in NYC and LA. Laughter Challenge brought stand-up to India.

Can you think of a better show for me? I hope the audience appreciates me here as much as they did on MTV.

Have you watched the earlier editions of the show? Your comments on the same.
Of course. Even when I was traveling or living abroad I watched bits of it on youtube. It's an entertaining show that gives people from all over the sub continent a chance to display their comedic talent.

Your show MTV Most Wanted was a big hit. You are one of the most successful VJ's in India. Will we be seeing you on MTV again?
If they offer me an interesting show, sure. Never say never.

There were even rumors that you had moved to the States….What were you up to in the U.S? I hosted a few shows based out of LA, Read More">did some ads. I also studied acting at the Larry Moss Studio in LA. Incredible experience. I always believe that there’s no limit to learning and education andRead More

There were even rumors that you had moved to the States….What were you up to in the U.S?
I hosted a few shows based out of LA, did some ads. I also studied acting at the Larry Moss Studio in LA. Incredible experience. I always believe that there's no limit to learning and education and this is the second break that I took from the biz to study. The first one was in 2001 when I went to NYC to study acting at the Lee Strasburg Institute.

So now have you come back for good or do you plan to shuttle between US and Mumbai?
I don't know the answer to that question yet. I believe nothing is permanent in life and no matter how much I may plan, something else always happens and life takes another twist. So I am very non committal… Que Sera Sera… the future? We'll see.

We are sure lots of boys are already grinning at the prospect of seeing you on -screen all over again.
Thank you. Big kiss to all my homies. Missed the cute Indian boys ;)

Any plans of making a comeback into the big bad world of Bollywood? If a good role comes up in Bollywood, I am certainly open to doing it but am not single mindedly concentrating on that. Once I commit to something, Read More">I really give it everything I have. So when I get offers I tendRead More

Any plans of making a comeback into the big bad world of Bollywood?
If a good role comes up in Bollywood, I am certainly open to doing it but am not single mindedly concentrating on that. Once I commit to something, I really give it everything I have. So when I get offers I tend to be quite choosy.

People may say I'm over particular but it's important that I pick roles carefully; ones that represent the beauty and complexity of the modern Indian woman. The world doesn't need anymore popcorn fluff!

You have been a top model, have worked in advertising, been a VJ, done films and even write articles on travel. So what else if left to explore and what gives you the ultimate high.
I love the biz and am happy hosting, acting, writing and one day I hope to direct too. I cannot choose any one as my favorite. I give everything I do my two hundred percent and always remember to make sure I have fun while doing it.

Having said that, I am most keen on making my film. I took some time to write the screenplay while I was traveling; it's a cross-cultural film, an offbeat romantic comedy. My producers are currently securing funding both here and in LA. It's my biggest dream to make this film soon. And guess who's acting in it? ;)

I also really enjoyed hosting and producing 'Culture Shock'. It was my baby for so long, I came up with the concept, wrote the treatment, and went to every channel with it. It finally came to life and aired on the Discovery Travel Channel U.S last year. That gave me immense pleasure, to see something I created come to life!