Any work is worship for me. Work is always bigger than you are.

Playful schoolgirl. Upbeat veejay. Soulful lover. Mischievous kid sister.
Peeya Rai Choudhuri, currently lighting up the big screen in Bride And Prejudice and Vaastu Shastra, has explored many diverse mediums and avatars

I walk into the charming café selected for the interview, straining my eyes to see whether she is at any of the tables. A huge possibility since each one is occupied by some prominent media person, actor, model or veejay! The person I am looking for fits all the categories. But when she sweeps in with her trademark gypsy skirt, beaded belt, and colourful stole, spreading her unique warmth and cheer everywhere with hugs, smiles and calls of recognition, I know that it can only be the petite and sunny Peeya Rai Choudhuri.

From the tender age of three, when Peeya stepped up on stage to sing 'Mary had a little lamb', her talent was well established. The effervescent actress, model, theatre person and former veejay has explored virtually every facet of performing, right from the television show, Hip Hip Hurray, to large, crossover projects like Bride and Prejudice. "My first role came to me quite by accident," she laughs. "My brother's friend, who is into advertising, put up my photograph in his office cabin. Someone saw it and asked whether I could come in for an audition!"

With acting on her plate right since the age of 17, Peeya's success did not come without its share of hard work. "Each time I get nervous, or think I need a few tips, I pack my bags and zoom off to acting workshops to study my art better", she says. "It's like my riyaaz." Television was where she first made her presence felt and is one of the phases that are closer to her heart. "The part of Kiran in Hip Hip Hurray was most like me" she reminisces. After her stint as Kiran, veejays, Suchitra Pillai and Vinay Pathak, convinced her to audition for Channel V. "I got the job immediately and was with Channel V for two and a half years. It was amazing!"

Several acting and voice training workshops in New York later, as well as learning from Delhi-based Amal Allana and Mumbai's Sharon Prabhakar, brought Peeya to the threshold of Bollywood. "I value my small roles in films like Chupke Se and Darna Mana Hai. Sometimes tiny roles too enable one to leave one's mark and be remembered." These led to her larger role in crossover cinema. "When I got the call saying that I was wanted for a part in a film where Aishwarya Rai was playing the lead, I could barely believe my ears!" she laughs. "Shooting for the film too was a riot. We all learnt a lot from each other's diverse acting styles - British, American and Indian."

"Challenge me" is Peeya's motto. "After my role in Bride and Prejudice and more recently, as Sushmita Sen's sister in Vaastu Shastra, everyone asks me if I'm going to get stuck with sister and best friend roles" she says. She loves a challenge and doesn't want her peppy, chirpy image restricting the kind of roles offered to her. "Even when I'm told to play a certain character in a bubbly way, I try to mould it a little and showcase my other sides as well. It's my own style!" The hardworking 24-year-old has also carved a niche for herself in theatre with Alyque Padamsee's Romeo and Juliet. "Theatre requires one to be totally focussed and dedicated" she says sombrely. "It was rehearsals, rehearsals and more rehearsals every day for six months."

What next? "Any work is worship for me. Work is always bigger than you are."