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"Dad was sailing constantly. So mostly, it was mum, brother and me"

Even as a child, I was a dreamer. I conjured up my own dreams and created a world of my own. At the same time, I was this sensible kid. In the family, I always spent more time with my aunts and uncles than with my cousins. It was not like a kid trying to be grown up. It was a comfortable atmosphere. My parents had always encouraged open communication.


Between the four of us - mom, dad, my brother and I - we were a very closely-knit family unit. Grown-up things were discussed; I don't mean the birds and bees; but family matters, relationships, friends

My dad was on ship, sailing constantly. So, most of the time, it was mum, brother and me. I always behaved more grown up than my brother. Even today, people are surprised that he is older than me. It's very funny. Even in school, my juniors, my classmates and some of my seniors would so naturally discuss their problems with me.

I was a very talkative child. I used to speak better than other kids my age. I was always ahead of my time. I got into these little conversations with people and I was convinced that I was putting my point across, even if they were perceived as arguments.

Contd.....
"If the occasion demands that I be a chandelier, I will be so"

Adolescence is a strange phase. One goes through all kinds of transformations. This was that stage when I'd constantly get into fights with my brother, not because he was my elder brother, but because I now felt on par with him. When I was getting into college, I thought, "Uh-oh, Elder-Brother Syndrome is going to take over big time!" But after a while, amazingly, we became the best of friends.

I was never into fashion really. I don't know if I still am. I was always easy about dressing. If the occasion demands that I be a chandelier, I will be so, impassionately. But the kind of clothes I wear personally is a very different matter. Comfort is the main criterion, and of course, moods. But my clothes are never extravagant. In college, I was very simple in my dressing - just jeans and a shirt or a salwar kameez or something.

Biology and Zoology were my favourite subjects, but I didn't see myself making a career in medicine. One needs a kind of dedication for such careers which, at that time, I thought I wouldn't be able to put in. I took up architecture and then developed a love for it as I was studying it.

contd.....
"The Miss World contest gave me a chance to discover myself"

At the time of the Miss India contest, I was 19, just past my Class XII. I was as new as the other 20-odd contestants, but I was already known as Aishwarya Rai, the model. People therefore thought I was Miss Know All because of my experience.

I spoke on the stage for the first time during the contest. I was feeling very conscious and people mistook this for attitude and restraint in expression. The Miss World contest also gave me a chance to discover myself. I was there in Sun City for one month with people I didn't know and who didn't know me at all. I was trying to see which qualities of mine would create an impression on these people. I think I found and recognised myself there.

I've had my fair share of attention right from childhood. That's why I have never felt the need to grab it. In fact, I almost work at underplay. If you see my body language, I always have one raised shoulder. It means that I'm taking things in, listening to what others have to say, instead of screaming for attention.

"I love being in films"

I am enjoying every moment of being in films. It's addictive. I was offered films in my modelling days, but I didn't give acting a shot then because it meant compromising on my studies. The only time I almost gave in to the temptation was in December 1993, when Toy (Dharmesh Darshan) spoke to me about Raja Hindustani. But then, I entered the Miss India contest. Even Rajiv Rai had called me during Mohra. When I look back, I wonder how those films would have been if I had done them. My life would probably not have been the same

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