I don't come from a film background. I haven't learned anything about films or film-making. But I have a thirst to know everything about my profession. I want to learn about cinematography, about editing, about music recordings, about post-production. So when people in the know talk, I willingly listen.

If my film does not do well, it really hurts me. But by God's grace, even if some of my films may not have done well, people have still liked my work in it.

I am a very private person. No one ever knows anything about me as I don't think it is necessary. I tell people as much as I want them to know about me.

I wasn't even prepared to be an actress. I was 17 when I came out of high school, and suddenly became Miss World and then I became an actress.

I always advocate to young women that if we don't do this for ourselves, no one else is going to. We have to have a voice.

There have been so many nations around the world that have had female leaders, including India.

When I became Miss World, I couldn't believe I had won it. I used to sleep with my crown because I was scared someone would steal it. In a minute the world changed for me.