She then subsequently appeared in several successful films including Socha Na Tha (2005), Salaam-e-Ishq (2007), Wanted (2009), and Paathshaala (2010).

Takia made her debut in South Indian cinema in the Telugu-language action heist Super (2005), for which she won the Screen Award for Best Actress (Critics).

She subsequently appeared in financially unsuccessful films including Shaadi Se Pehle (2006), Cash (2007), De Taali (2008) and 8 x 10 Tasveer (2009).

In addition to acting, Takia supports wildlife protection, and has participated in social initiatives and animal welfare causes.

[10] Both the songs were directed by Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao, which brought her to the attention of Bollywood, and a few films offer followed.

[6] In 2004, Takia played her first leading role as Priya Kapoor in Abbas–Mustan's supernatural action thriller film Taarzan: The Wonder Car alongside debutante Vatsal Sheth.

[16] Besides being Imtiaz Ali's first film as a director, Socha Na Tha also marked Abhay Deol's acting debut.

[17] Upon release it received positive reviews from critics: Patcy N for Rediff.com wrote, "Ayesha Takia is a sweet, energetic actress, but her role does not require too much acting skill".

[24] The film received negative reviews, with criticism aimed at the unoriginal plot and humor, and underperformed at the box office.

[25] In 2005, Takia made her debut in South Indian cinema in the Telugu-language action heist Super alongside Nagarjuna Akkineni.

Loosely influenced by an old Hindi movie, Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi, it opened to predominantly negative reviews.

Released on 6 April 2006, the film eventually under-performed at the box office grossing ₹16 crore (US$1.8 million) worldwide.

Later in the same year, Takia played the part of a Rajasthani Hindu woman in Nagesh Kukunoor's smaller-budget drama Dor.

A The Times of India critic cited, "Apart from the unusual plot, it is Ayesha Takia who simply blows your breath away".

Happy and content one minute, depressed, vengeful or naive the next, she does justice to all the various shades of Meera's spirited yet repressed character.

"[34] Her performance as a young widowed Rajasthani woman living in a traditional joint family went on to win several accolades, including the Zee Cine Award for Best Actress – Critics.

[35] In 2007, Takia appeared in seven films, the first being Nikkhil Advani's romantic drama Salaam-e-Ishq, opposite Akshaye Khanna.

Co-starring alongside Shahid Kapoor, Ahmed Khan's multi-starer comedy caper film Fool & Final was her next release.

[41] With a run time of 13 minutes, the film depicted the story of a young man who, after finding out that he is HIV positive, allows his life to fall apart.

[43] The film tells a story of a narcissistic and self-obsessed chain-smoker who gets trapped in the rehabilitation programme of a person who guarantees will make him quit smoking.

And see myself as a person..." Takia had two major releases in 2009: action thriller 8 x 10 Tasveer opposite Akshay Kumar and Prabhu Deva's Wanted co-starring Salman Khan.

Critical response towards Takia's performance received moderate reviews: Rajeev Masand stated, "Ayesha plays the role of Jai's (Akshay) fiancé and it doesn't leave much of an impression".

[53] Wanted was given mixed reviews by most critics and became one of the highest-grossing films of the year, as well as Takia's biggest commercial success to date.

[62][63][64][65] In April 2014, Ayesha denounced her father-in-law, the Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi, for saying that rape victims should also be punished.