I live with romance in my brain. I'm a true-blue Cancerian like that.

I don't want to be a stereotype; I want a character that's aspirational.

I used to get upset with the word Bollywood, and what it means in the West. The stereotype of us being dancing, singing, puppet showgirls. Indians are nearly one fifth of the world's population; we have one of the most prolific film industries in the world. When people used to ask me about it, or replicate what they think is Bollywood dancing, thinking that they're being funny, I used to get offended. But now I show them the stuff we do.

There are cliques in Bollywood, and people stick together, but I have always tried to stick to my work. As an industry, Bollywood is very competitive, and I'm very competitive as a person, but I've never been a part of any clique, and I've always worked with all actors and directors, all camps.

I was rejected many times. I cried. I was told that female actors are replaceable in films because they just stand behind a guy anyway. I'm still used to being paid - like most actresses around the world - a lot less than the boys. We're told we're too provocative or that being sexy is our strength, which it can be, and it is, but that's not the only thing we have. But women have incredible endurance and incredible strength. Your ability to deal with it is within you.

After reaching season two on TV series, having done a film, and receiving acknowledgment in America, I feel like now whatever I do will be on me. My choices will be mine; my disappointments will be mine.

I've always been someone who's kept my private life a little private. When there's a ring on my finger, I'll talk about it.