By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Sep 4 (IANS): Gastronomic love stories are a rarity in Bollywood and "Daawat-e-Ishq" is one of those rare films on the subject and the film's lead actress says the movie is all about celebration of food and love.

Praising the plot, she said: “Though food plays an important part in 'Daawat-e-Ishq', it is at the end of the day a love story.”

“I'd say 'Daawat-e-Ishq' is a celebration of love and food, love for food, love over food, and what have you,” the 25-year-old said about the film, which has been produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Habib Faisal. It will release Sep 19.

Excerpts:

Q: Being a foodie did you enjoy doing "Daawat-e-Ishq"?

A: Yes, all three of us - Anupam (Kher) Sir, Aditya Roy Kapoor and I, love food. I'd say "Daawat-e-Ishq” is a celebration of love and food, love for food, love over food, and what have you.

Q: We love food. But strangely we don't have too many Indian films about food?

A: It all happens in good time. We can't have films about food just for the heck of it. There has to be a proper story to tell because it stretches to a two-and-a-half-hour of playing time. Though food plays an important part in "Daawat-e-Ishq", it is at the end of the day a love story.

Q: Did you eat a lot during the film?

A: Oh, we were constantly eating. Every other day there was a sequence showing us eating and the scene would go on the entire day, so you can imagine. We ended up eating all the time.

Q: Did that mess up your metabolism?

A: No. I think my body was quite happy with all that food (laughs).

Q: "Daawat-e-Ishq" is your second film with Habib Faisal. How was the comfort level this time?

A: I think we have begun to understand one another to the point where we understand one another implicitly. I am very proud to be working with Habib sir again.