Gurgaon, Sep 3 (IANS): From feeding her baby to changing her nappies to singing lullabies, Lara Dutta is busy playing a hands-on mother to her seven-month-old daughter Saira. She says that the rest of the things have taken a backseat as she is enjoying the most satisfying, yet challenging role of her life.

The former beauty queen is so engrossed in nitty-gritty of her domesticity that not only her entire schedule but her conversation too revolves around Saira.

"In all honesty, Saira has become the biggest selection barometer for me to choose on what I want to get back into because it is difficult to spend much time away from her. I would take up a new film only if something is really fantastic and different," Lara, who is married to tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi, told IANS in an interview.

"I am putting everything on the backburner, so my baby is my first priority," added the doting mom.

Lara has just wrapped up shooting for Bejoy Nambiar's "David" and says she chose to be a part of the film as it didn't require her to work more and at the same time it was different from what she has done so far.

"My role in 'David' was not massive in terms of screen time, but it was challenging as I hadn't done anything like that and so I agreed to be a part of it," she said.

The actress says motherhood is challenging but fun.

"Motherhood is great and challenging at the same time. It is thoroughly rewarding too. Saira is a wonderful baby to have. You start getting the hang of it just a week after becoming a mother," said the 34-year-old.

The model-turned-actress won the Miss Universe title in 2000 and three years later made her Bollywood debut in 2003 with "Andaaz" and went on to do films like "Masti", "No Entry", "Housefull" and "Don 2". She married tennis champion Mahesh Bhupathi in February last year.

In the quest to strike a balance between being a wife and a mother, Lara tries to be herself too.

"Though I am a mother, wife, at the same time I am also my own person. For me, to be able to work, be a mother, and enjoy motherhood is also important," she said.

The actress is on road to lose the post-baby flab though she admits it would not be an easy job.

"To get back into shape is difficult for any new mother as you have to be strict in your diet and workout. But for me the criterion was never that I have to lose weight in four months or five months," she said.

"So I haven't lost all the weight that I had put on, but I am happy and know that I am on the right track," she said adding there is no short cut to lose post-pregnancy weight.

"Some women are genetically blessed and after delivery they are back to wearing jeans, but for us Indian women we are not blessed like that; so you have to watch what you eat but not at the cost of your health as you are feeding a baby," she added.

Meanwhile, after "Chalo Dilli", she is now working on two scripts, which will again be produced by her under banner Bheegi Basanti Productions.