Lara Dutta is set to enter a new phase in her life. And the glowing mother-to-be, who is due February next year, reveals that her ace tennis player husband Mahesh Bhupathi is keeping his fingers crossed and wishing for a daughter. “Mahesh is very excited and would like to have a daughter. However, as a mother, when you are going through the experience of carrying a baby for nine months, the first-and-foremost priority is to have a healthy baby,” says Lara.

During her baby shower, Lara had stated that 90 per cent predictions suggested it’s a baby boy. She had said “And as for us, we don’t know. So, we will be equally surprised.” And the 33-year-old isn’t even thinking about it.

“I don’t mind if it’s a boy or a girl,” she says.

Lara and her tennis player husband had tied the knot in February this year. The Housefull (2010) actor, in the meantime, turned producer with Challo Dilli this year.

For now, she is busy flaunting her baby bump at social dos, as her film Don 2: The King Is Back hit theatres.

“I am in a wonderful and fortunate position. How amazing is it to end the year with Don 2 and start the New Year with the arrival of a baby? I am having the best of both worlds. So, I am very happy and thrilled,” says Lara, adding Shah Rukh has always been amazing.

“I have worked with him in Billu (2009), which he produced. And at that time too, Shah Rukh worked hard to make sure the crew was safe and looked-after well. He really spoilt me while working in the film. This time though, I saw another avatar of him because we were seeing more of Shah Rukh the actor,” she says.