The great thing about cinema is that it's a great binder. It brings people from across the world together, often erasing the lines between geographies, languages, familiarity, and the like. Cinema is art and art, they say, is a reflection of life and society, so the way we tell our stories is the main differentiator for me.

I've been the saddest while I've been the most successful, strangely.

For me exotic means beaches, palm trees and sand and frolicking in the ocean

I'm lucky. I don't know whether I'm deserving or not. All I know is that I work damn hard for everything. And God helps those who help themselves. Every day is like an exam. I believe destiny and hard work go hand in hand. I was studying to be an engineer when my mom and my brother sent my pictures for the Miss India contest. I didn't even know about it. If that isn't destiny, what is?

As a girl, I am this stupid, emotional, very loyal, sort of believe-in-values-and-principals sort of girl.

Women are often told to have to be a certain way, to speak a certain way. The "norm" has been defined for many, many years, so it is very scary, especially for girls around the world who don't have the freedom and the opportunity to have a voice.

Mary Kom is a woman who stood up alone in a male-dominated field and fought for her rights and what she believed in. Her story is an inspiration for every young person out there.