DIA Mirza has had small parts in big movies but that's what brings her up the ladder of success. And then on meeting her in person, you notice that she is happier on the outskirts of fame too.

She wants to be known as an actor rather than a celebrity and the more you look at her, the better your afternoon gets.

I ask her: "What if we were to sit on the rocks of the seashore on the bandstand area for a date?"

She replies: "I thought people who don't have a place to go, go there.

"The majority of the people sitting on the rocks facing the seaside don't have a budget to go out on a date.

"I've never seen any educated or an upper middle class part of the society going and sitting there. It's sad but it's the truth."

In person, Dia's slightly smaller than you'd expect, as though her image were the result of some chemical reaction between her face and the movie camera.

In between our conversation, Dia uses the 'Hyderabadi' word more than she uses my name.

I ask: "What went through your mind when you saw these romantic couples sitting on the rocks for the first time when you came to Mumbai?"

Dia's Hyderabadi nature comes to the fore. "I was shocked," she says.

"I was a Hyderabadi girl. I'd never seen people openly making out in public." See what I mean?

Dia doesn't hold back. "What I meant was that these people have their own space.

"They do not intrude in each other's privacy. Their privacy is just one imaginary wall."

I ask her: "If I am serious about any celebrity and if I want to ask her out or confess my interest for her, how should I go ahead with it?"

She replies: "Be straight about it. Just say it. If you really like someone, you should go up to her and ask her out.

"Take the risk of getting 'no' for an answer and ask."

But now as a part of the strategy to seek balance in my life, I had to go that extra mile and say: "If there is one celebrity I'd get married to, it has to be you - Dia Mirza.'

To my surprise, she isn't fazed and replies: "That's what all the men say."

The only flesh that is visible is her delicate hands, with which she gestures frequently, and her naturally enriched butterscotch face.

If I was looking for clues of any kind, it had to be her fingers for the ring. But she wasn't wearing any.

This Dia Mirza isn't all business and yet has a zero interest in trying to charm.

"I am a recluse by nature but I am trying to change the habit. I am on a date with you, don't forget," she says.

"I am not an approval-seeking person. I'm more the kind of person who does things to make me happy."

Dia isn't a Bollywood beauty who will call 20 journalists only to see herself in the newspapers the next morning.

Simply put, it's just the choice that Dia makes about the way she lives.

"I think people who like me, one who follows my work and follows me as an individual, knows enough about me."

We get talking about London and Mumbai.

"If I really wanted to share Mumbai that I love with you, I'd take you to town and get you to walk around with me through Kala Ghoda, Rhythm House and take you to dine in a restaurant called Trishna where you get Mumbai's best seafood.

"It's a really small place but it's special. We could probably do some street shopping too."

On screen, having to wait for recognition has made Dia Mirza a realist.

"You know, I'd cry if I won an award. I promise you I'll cry."

Then followed some jokes, some silly ones too, some laughter and then one last serious question from me: "Will you forgive someone who double crosses you?"

She answers: "I have had bad incidents but I don't hold grudges.

"I forgive and forget."

Now there had to be a better way to end this date so I decide to end on a happy note: "What have you not forgotten about this special day?"

Dia says: "If anybody else asked me out today, I'd have probably said 'no'.

"When I say you bring out the best in me, you really do."