Ayesha Dharker surprised by Star Wars success

Ayesha Dharker feels sorry for any children who were given her Star Wars doll.

The actress played Queen Jamillia in the 2002 movie Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. She was astounded to win the part, especially as she was hunted down for it specifically, with the casting director even trying to speak to her via her father.

It was a great experience, although Ayesha puts most of the praise her performance received down to the extravagant black-and-gold costume she wore.

"I don’t think they made one," she told British newspaper The Guardian of a doll in her image. "I know the girl characters don’t sell as well as the boy ones. I feel sorry for any child who got given one of me – this small, Indian penguin.

"I didn’t bother calling when I got the message because I thought it was a joke. When the casting director finally got hold of me, she said, ‘Don’t worry. We hear that a lot.’”

In fact, Ayesha finds it hard to believe how successful she's become. Her career is wide-ranging too, as she's appeared in everything from Hollywood films to musicals and British soap operas to independent flicks. The only thing they all have in common is that the star always felt she wouldn't win the roles.

In fact, more often than not, she would suggest she shouldn't be successful to those in charge. It rarely worked though, with bosses so keen on her for a musical role that they expanded it especially for her - even though she didn't turn up to later auditions.

"I normally try to talk directors out of casting me. I like going up for things but I don’t always intend to do them. I’ll tell them what a terrible mistake they’d make if they cast me,” she explained “Those are the jobs I usually end up getting. Once they’ve got me, I’ll work hard. I just want them to know that I’m a bit of a slippery fish.”