Aishwarya Rai turns a year older

Aishwarya Rai, Bollywood actress and former Miss World, poses in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra (Photo: Reuters)
MUMBAI: Aishwarya Rai, who turned a year older on Tuesday, is clearly on top of the world.

Former miss world Aishwarya Rai listens to a reporter's question in New Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)
Ash says, "I've never had so much fun acting,". So far I was doing lots of roles that required me to play a woman with a heavy soul.But now I'm finally playing girls who wanna have fun,"

Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan perform during International Indian Film Academy Awards (Photo: Reuters)
In "The Last Legion", which she has just shot in Tunisia and Slovakia, she plays a horse-riding, sword-fighting warrior. "I've never done this before, you know, riding a horse. It was really something! There's a lot of sword fighting.

Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai presents an ethnic outfit by indian designer Shahab Durazi during a show in Bombay (Photo: Reuters) .
After "The Last Legion", Ash goes into "Umrao Jaan" and "Dhoom 2". "Both are very different from one another. I've never played these kinds of roles before."

Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai performs during a concert to raise funds for Indian tsunami victims in Bombay (Photo: Reuters)
"In 'Dhoom 2' I'm playing an utter hip-and-now character, I naturally needed to get more into shape. So it was a natural process. Not one of those dietary missions."

Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai with co-star Henderson at 'Bride and Prejudice' media gathering in Bombay. (Photo: Reuters)
Ash shocks with her next declaration. "Do you know I had never worked out, never made any effort to lose weight? I'm a total foodie with a sweet tooth, and I've never tried to control my diet.

Bollywood star Rai poses during red carpet arrivals for the out of competition screening of US (Photo: Reuters).
According to Ash-gazers, she's currently in a transitional phase in her career.

Actress Gong Li, Aishwarya Rai and model Laetitia Casta pose during red carpet arrivals in Cannes (Photo: Reuters).
The talk veers to Amitabh Bachchan and his endearment for her: "Madam, I'm your only Adam." I didn't know Mr Bachchan had quietly incorporated that line for me at the end of our number in 'Bunty Aur Babli'.

Aishwarya Rai, former miss world, speaks with reporters during the making of movie 'Kyon Ho Gaya Na' in Bombay (Photo: Reuters).
When informed that "Madam. I'm Your Adam" has become a song in David Dhawan's new comedy "Shaadi No 1". "You can't be serious! Really? But that was a special line only for me. They can't do that," she grumbled good-naturedly.