AMISHA PATEL

I would never deny the importance of the media, but I wouldn't go out of the way to splash my pictures all over town. I'd rather let my work do the talking.

I feel French is very close to Urdu. Both languages are beautiful. Sadly, their beauty is lost in translation.

I reprimand people, even those working with me, for littering the roads.

I work on my body to stay fit, but that does not make me superior to anyone. I am a forthright and hardworking girl.

Life is all about evolution. What looks like a mistake to others has been a milestone in my life. Even if people have betrayed me, even if my heart was broken, even if people misunderstood or judged me, I have learned from these incidents. We are human and we make mistakes, but learning from them is what makes the difference.

Believe me, it's not easy being an actress and a producer, especially with no big daddy to support you.

I love human beings. I believe that there is so much to learn from every person you meet, including a child.

Had I not made it big, my family would have told me to recheck my decision. Now that I am successful, there is no way. They have to accept it gracefully.

To join or not to join films was the biggest choice I had to make. I'd done two years of biogenetic engineering, was an economics graduate and a gold medalist. I had also been a Bharatanatyam dancer from age five, always won the best actress award in school. Finally, I decided to do things for my soul, chose to act.

Being sexy is all about attitude, not body type. It's a state of mind.

Cleaning is therapy for me. I'm not ashamed of holding the duster or broom.

The kind of love that people have for Hrithik and me, if there were a 'Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai 2,' the film will get a bumper opening only, for sure.

It feels phenomenal. It's a great feeling. 'Race 2' is a big film to be associated with.

I used to call him Pinocchio on the sets. Pinocchio's nose would turn red if he lied. Aamir would turn red-faced if he had to tell a lie.

I was in Hyderabad shooting for a Telugu film with Mahesh Babu when Aamir called, saying he wanted me to play the widow Jwala in 'Mangal Pandey.'

I had to take a break to set up my production company. Managing a production house is a different ballgame. It's not like signing a film and arriving on the set.

We're not getting married right now. We're very, very focused on our respective careers. Marriage is a long way away. Yes, I'm very close to Vikram Bhatt.

I grew up idolising Madhuri Dixit, though I wasn't a Hindi film buff. I had an academic upbringing, and movies were a rarity. I looked up to Madhuri because I loved dancing, and she's a fantastic dancer.

I fully trust Abbas-Mustan. We have worked together in the past, so I have full faith in them.

We have a wonderful film lined up early next year called 'Desi Magic.' It showcases me in a double role for the first time. This movie has offered me the most challenging role of my career so far. It's weird I chose to do my toughest film with my own production house.

Work is my balm. I've just finished my work in Ketan Mehta's 'The Rising.' It's one of the best films I've done. Such a fabulous line-up of technicians and artistes. Above all, I got the privilege of working with Aamir Khan.

I'm not ashamed of any work I do. You can't decide a film's fate before its release. There's no surety that your new films will be better or worse than your previous ones. You can only hope to surpass your efforts.

Everyone knows Aamir to be a perfectionist. But only those who have worked with him can vouch for his integrity. I had the privilege of doing one of my most important films, 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising' with Aamir.

I would want a sequel to 'Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai.' But more than me, it's the audience who are looking forward to the same.

I had auditioned for 'Lagaan.' That's where I met Aamir for the first time. He was a superstar; I was a nobody. Yet, he treated me gently and affectionately. He put me at ease completely.