Winning a pageant or sometimes simply participating in a contest can change your life. Outer beauty is just a part of the judgement, but what's important are your views and opinions that are shown to the world.
Lara Dutta
I have fruit juices, cucumber juice and coconut water to cool myself in the hot weather.
Comedy is one of the hardest genres. You can tell if it's working or not. If the director is convinced of the vision, you have to have faith in that.
I love Indian wear and I think no one can beat the masterpieces our Indian designers and craftsmen create.
Yoga has always been an integral part of my life style. The benefits I have reaped from a constant practice have been invaluable to me.
Swimming gives me immense satisfaction.
I have been a voracious reader.
As a woman, it is so tough to grow your business. People are ready to hear all your creative inputs, but the minute you start talking about numbers and statistics, they look over your shoulder to see whether you have a man backing you up or not.
I am a lot happier, focusing on the production side of things than wanting to be in front of the camera. If I am going to dance to someone else's tune, it might as well be my own.
It is a challenge to be a showstopper and not just a model walking down the ramp. Even if you are a celebrity, you have to do justice to the clothes you are wearing and the designer you are walking for.
Skincare is integral to women's daily routine. They shouldn't have to compromise on what they use or the difference they see just because of the price.
My profession requires me to follow a dedicated and intense exercise regime.
I enjoy reading books.
I am completely at my wits' end if I am unable to practice yoga for a few days at a stretch! Once you get into the flow it's difficult to leave it, precisely because of the way it affects your energy levels.
It is great to see Bollywood celebrities contributing to so many different trends in so many different ways. I think this is one of the reasons that people associate with Bollywood glamour.
Being in the profession of acting, I definitely have to be a people's person and socialise when it's an absolute necessity.
I remember I was a dark horse at Miss Universe. No one saw Miss India coming from a mile and suddenly there she was!
I did 'Singh Is Bliing' because Akshay asked me to join. We had a blast while making.
It does feel great to be Miss Universe in the millennium year.
It's important to keep reinventing yourself, and I want to challenge myself at every age.
For years, ever since I was a model, I would be asked about what I did for my skin. So extending my own brand to include skincare seems almost organic to my progression.
Being pregnant and carrying a child is a blessing unique to womankind and a mother instinctively wants the best for her child.
A career is about learning to adapt yourself to the new environment and learning to sink or swim.
There is no longer any pressure to play the heroine. So I can have fun and be the actor I want to be. I can look beyond the hairstyles and the clothes and concentrate on the acting.
A crash diet never works. You lose weight one day and add it the next.
I've had a lot of success with comedy films.
Some people cannot understand why I insist on knowing about my role in a film before signing it.
It is very important to just be real and have a good check on reality in life.
I am learning how to strike a balance between my professional and personal life.
I can't constantly live in the past, thinking that 'Oh my God, I was Miss Universe.'
I am selective about what I give my time to.
I love animals, especially dogs, as I can have them as pets too.
Most of the time actresses are just left to play the actor's wife or girlfriend so there is not much to do. 'Chalo Dilli' was a refreshing change which was different and that's why I decided to work in it.
I have been involved with theatre since I was 13. I never seriously thought I would get into movies though I had every intention of continuing with theatre.
I love working out, from kick boxing to Pilates I have done it all.
I've been my normal self during pregnancy. I want other women who get nervous and anxious to experience the same comfort as me and to not feel awkward about their weight or baby bump.
I have been extremely cautious in selecting my films.
Andaaz' gave me a firm footing in the industry. I would not be honest if I said I knew it would do well.
I personally believe that when you attempt something with your loved one, you are bound to succeed.
It is about priorities in life and for me, ever since I have been a mom, my family and kid have been my first priority.
I am disciplined and tend to stick to my workout regime and eating habit and adhere to them strictly.
When in a movie like 'Housefull' you have to create comedy out of falling on a glass table or jumping from huge heights, it's all action, but packaged as comedy. Here you don't just have to perform a heavy-duty action sequence, but you have to make it look funny and that is really difficult. But it's fun... and I really enjoy it.
In any relationship, only if both partners bring in emotional, financial commitment and honesty in equal measure, can there be harmony.
Being a vegetarian, I make sure I eat enough raw fruits and vegetables.
I think the Hindi film heroine is stereotypical. It is nice to have an opportunity to have that freedom to not to do that anymore.
Singh Is Bling' is a fun, entertaining film. I play a mad, geeky character called Imli. She has no sense of style. I am nothing like her in real life.
I play characters that allow me to do lot more than just be a glamorous heroine.
Comedy is a lot of fun if you have costars who can help you perform better.
I am a family person and relationships hold a lot of importance in my life.
I try to do justice to whatever roles I take up and it really doesn't bother me whether I am paired opposite a superstar or a newcomer.
