Quotes

I'm just an average woman with average concerns.

Life will take its toll on all of us. We get injured, we get old. It's really sad to try to run away from these harsh realities of life. Looks are not everything. I am not going to look beautiful all the time.

You give to the world your greatest gift when you're being yourself.

I believe that as an actress all my fears and phobias exist till I sign on the dotted line for a film.

I don't believe in proving a point to anybody. Nobody is that important.

It's strange that Rakesh Roshan thinks I look older than Hrithik Roshan. In fact, he's approached me for all his home productions.

I always knew I would be successful. So there was no element of surprise.

I know for a fact that if there's a role which I am suited for, I'll be signed on. I'll never go begging.

I only entered Miss India after pressure from friends and because I thought it would be a laugh.

Comedy is difficult for an actor. But I think I have a good sense of humor and manage to make people laugh and make them happy.

[on donating her eyes after death] People know me more because of my eyes. So I decided to donate my eyes. But before that, I acquired all the information about the campaign. Within what time after death one has to donate eyes, and all other information. Only then I decided to donate my eyes. It's not that just for doing something, I donated my eyes. I found that useful so I did it. I like to do social service from my heart. Whatever is possible I do, but I don't speak of that. But I would like to give more time to it in the near future.

Women in the industry have been exploited very often, but there are some actors who belive that the short cut to stardom is through nudity or exposure. Such success is, in fact, very short-lived.

I have never done a kissing scene nor do I have intentions to.

[About Chaos (2006)] When this came to be early this year, I was ecstatic. I couldn't believe that I was actually going to work with Meryl Streep, someone I've always admired. In all my interviews 10 years ago people used to ask who is your favorite actor and actress and I would mention 'Robert de Niro' and Meryl Streep. On my first trip there I met up with de Niro and my first film is with Meryl Streep, and I said, "Oh God that's really, really cool. Really wonderful."

Ever since I went to the Cannes festival, the media overseas really encouraged me to consider the possibilities of working in the West. Then I got a call from some people who worked in the business in America, who asked me to first obviously get an agent so that they could have direct access because that's the way they work.

[About turning down the role opposite Jackie Chan in The Myth (2005)] I did not have the required dates as I was busy with the shows abroad. I had to turn down the film. I have no regrets because there is always a next time.

Indian cinema has begun to be recognized globally. And it's very important for us to make our presence felt at important events such as Cannes. I feel there should be more Indian representation at festivals. India is producing such a large cross section of films. We need to be part of world cinema, and we need to do that now.

Someone asked me why I'm politically correct, even when people hit out so openly at me. But the truth is, I've never been brought up to behave any other way. I can't say anything hurtful about anyone. I just don't believe in saying mean things. I won't feel good doing that. It's strange why being well behaved is perceived as being too "propah" and staid. This is the way I am. I'm amazed how many people feel good hitting out at me. They're welcome to do it. Earlier, they had more leeway to deny their indiscretions in print. But now on television they look pretty ridiculous denying what they say.

[About the sari she wore on The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986)] I thought I'd wear one on the show, and packed two of them, in case Oprah wanted to wear one, too. As luck would have it, my flight was delayed and I reached minutes before the show went on air! So I had no time to change, which is a pity. Americans love the garment but have no clue how it's tied. Oprah is very respectful and appreciative of all cultures. She was very curious about the sari and I helped her put it on, on air! She has sent me an autographed picture saying, "Next time we change the blouse". She was very sweet.

[About being on The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986)] Yes, I was extremely happy to be on her show. I absolutely admire her. I never thought I'd actually be meeting her--and that, too, on her show! It's so strange. But prior to our meeting, during my visit to the US for the premiere of Bride & Prejudice (2004), I had some afternoons off and I watched Oprah. I thought how wonderful it would be to be on her show. And within a month, I was!"

[in September 2004] I am not comfortable about kissing or nudity. I am clear about what I want. I'll work only with good directors who'll offer me two-dimensional roles. The director and the role are most important.

[IN 2005, about her long career in entertainment] This is my tenth year now, so things have changed within this span of time--so drastically that when I look at the work done when I just joined, it's like, "Oh my God!" So much has changed in these ten years. You get to see how you're part of the process of change within the Indian film industry. That's all positive, that's all a good sign.

[Her advice to aspiring professionals] My biggest concern is always the students who are working toward a certain career--when they limit themselves to just that one option. They need to know that the world is huge--it's an ocean, and there are so many options. It's not the end of the world if they don't get to pursue an apparent childhood dream. That's really important, because you find a lot of kids who believe that they want to become a doctor or an aeronautical engineer or something, and if they don't manage to make their degree, that's the end. They feel so defeated, which is very disheartening. It's sad to know that people let themselves be limited by these aspirations.

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

Life is a stage, and we are all characters. So play your part and play it well!

[on why she participated in the Miss World Pageant in 1994] For me, it went beyond being a beauty queen. For me, it was about being the 20-year-old girl from India on [an] international platform and a lot of people actually would assume that I wasn't even educated in India because of the way I'd speak. And they'd be like, "Have you studied in India? Do you actually speak English out there?" and, I was like, "This is so interesting that so many people know so little about my country", and this is exactly what I wanted to do when I set out on this little mission in my head.

[In 2006] Good films are good films regardless of being made in India or abroad. I believe a great story transcends cultural lines and language barriers.

[In 2006] I choose films with characters that I feel are relative to a woman's growth for me. In The Last Legion (2007), I play a warrior. This was a first for me and it was a fantastic experience. I would like very much to do more action films. As for the right direction, I make my choices and always move forward one step at a time.

[on her character in The Mistress of Spices (2005)] I have related to each character I have performed thus far, including Tilo. I am very sensitive to moods and one's inward feelings and emotions. I am a true people person and people watcher. I look forward to meeting interesting people and understanding their experiences in life.

[on her character in Dhoom 2 (2006)] It's the kind of character I have never essayed before. Sunehiri, my character in the film, is distinctly different from any other character you have seen me play. That's what makes her exciting to me. For the first time in my life I went through a bit of a fitness regime. Contrary to popular belief, right since modeling, to the [Miss World] title, to films, I have never been a fitness freak or exercised.

[About director J.P. Dutta] . . . a committed taskmaster. I have danced to songs before. But he always added to choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant's steps, and that was quite challenging. He would shoot an entire mukhda in one shot. To do all the songs at that level required remaining focused at all times. In that moment, I felt I became Umrao Jaan. It was interesting to deliver a performance that shows her passionate but tragic story. The film is also reflective of the art that was at its zenith in that era. The sex trade was called the performing arts then and not prostitution.

[on Umrao Jaan (2006) being her first Urdu-language film] Since our generation speaks English, we are not very fluent in Hindi, leave alone Urdu. I loved those dialogs and the experience to work and know about that era. For me, it was a study of Urdu on the sets under the guidance of JP and Javed Saab.

[About Rekha] Rekha is very inspiring. It is not necessarily relative to just one performance, but her entire career, the span of characters that she has essayed, the performances that she has delivered itself is extremely inspiring. I am inspired by her performance. But I cannot ape her.

[on her role in Umrao Jaan (2006)] Playing Umrao Jaan was a demanding emotional journey. When a story takes that course, it is following an entire arc; it goes through all the possible emotions. The process was satisfying, inspiring and challenging. It forced me to deliver the best in every moment.

[on being compared to Rekha in Umrao Jaan (1981)] For me, as an actor, it's a special experience to get the opportunity to play Umrao Jaan who has been already iconised on our celluloid. When I played Paro in Devdas (2002), I went through the same area of questioning about how my role will be compared with the ones played earlier.

[In 2006] My reason for choosing a film is not to impress people. I don't choose films for the box office.

[in 2006] The audiences feel I am part of their life so they worry about me. I think that is very sweet of them and I tell them that when I will marry I will announce it. When I get married, you'll know. I believe in marriage and it is a beautiful institution.

[In 2006] It is a very tricky situation when you get the chance to work in English films. I do films based on characters, not to get an entry into Hollywood or whatever. In English, my _Bride & Prejudice (2005)_ (qv ) did well world over. I don't know how it did in Hindi, but I know _Jurassic Park (1998)_ didn't do well in Hindi. I was glad audiences worldwide liked an English film that was Indian. When I did The Mistress of Spices (2005), I did it for Paul [Paul Mayeda Berges, the director and husband of Gurinder Chadha] as a team. The film found its audiences. When the [Provoked (2006)] script came to me, I felt it was a very important story of an Indian woman based in London who killed her husband because of marital abuse. Kiran Ahluwalia made a big impression in England, and so I did this film because I felt it was an important story to be told. "Provoked" is an important film for many other Kirans in the world.

As far as The Last Legion (2007) is concerned, it is a film based on a book [a novel by Valerio Manfredi]. I don't think the character of Meera [her role] is there in the book. I did the film for the new experience and it is for the first time that I was with a complete foreign crew. Working with Ben Kingsley was a great experience. Meera is an Indian in the film and she has great roots and you will identify with her strength. I feel for Indian audiences, and want them to feel pride in what I am doing: I am not doing films just to be there as guest appearances.

[on celebrating her 33rd birthday] I am just not the birthday bash kind. My day will start with a visit to the Siddhivinayak temple with my family, something I do every year. There will be no loud parties . . . my birthday is a very private affair. Concidering I have to leave for Dubai tomorrow, it will be over early, too. Only family and friends will be there.

[on the rumors that her black eye was the result of abuse by Salman Khan] For some perverse reason, no one wants to believe me, that I fell down the stairs. First the media calls me the woman of the millennium, a woman of substance. Then how can the same media make me out to be such a doormat? I'm a self-respecting woman, I don't take nonsense from anyone. No one tries caveman tactics on me. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger can fall and get hurt, so why should I be any different?

I have never deliberately driven attention to the fact that I am working in Hollywood films. I have categorically stated that I am working in different kinds of films, be it British, Hindi, Tamil or Bengali. It's all about doing films, which are my passion.

[on meeting producer Harvey Weinstein for the first time at the 2005 Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People] He is a big fan of Indian films. He has seen Devdas (2002) and said he respected my work. It's a big compliment coming from somebody who has such an immense body of work and yet is so humble from him? He discussed a few ideas and scripts with me. He is starting his own company. We are discussing projects. Time will tell all.

[on attending the dinner for Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of the Year in 2005] I am surprised at my life's turn of events. Six of us were asked to raise the toast for the evening. And I raised it for my parents and for my fans, without whom I wouldn't have reached where I am today. Nicole Kidman had to rush out for some premiere, but she said that she and her son loved Bride & Prejudice (2004) and I told her how I loved all her performances. Sean Penn told me that I spoke well and I told him that I've always been his fan!

[Upon hearing that Julia Roberts had said that Aishwarya was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen] That was embarrassing; at first I didn't believe she said that. I thought it was a rumor started by a journalist. But it's sweet. She's an incredible actor and she seems like a wonderful person, so all you can do is say, "Thank you"

[In 2007] I am not comfortable about kissing or nudity. I've never said I'd never kiss, or whatever on screen. I've always maintained I'd cross that bridge when I come to it. Again, I'm accused of playing it safe. The truth is, I don't know what tomorrow holds. So I can't make a close ended principle about it.

[Her thoughts on modern women versus the queens of the era of Jodhaa Akbar (2008)] I consider myself lucky to be born in today's era where a woman has far more freedom to exercise her rights. It took them ages to get ready for one appearance, and imagine staying behind curtains all day long.

[on being voted the most bankable Bollywood star in Hollywood] Wow! Me the most bankable Bollywood star in Hollywood? Thank you! I must confess that any acknowledgment of hard work makes me feel content. In all humility I want to thank all those who feel I'm bankable.

God has given me plenty of reasons to smile and I feel it's time to spread it around. There are a lot of children out there who so desperately need help, but can't receive timely care because their families cannot afford this surgery or are ill-educated about this condition.

[In 1999] I'm like the Terminator. I won't stop till I win. Just everything must be perfect.