Sushmita feels that she is attractive but not pretty or beautiful. ”I have a face that's always exotic anywhere in the world. As far as style goes, I think everyone has his own persona and that comes out only at home. Your style is what you are when no one's looking. I think you have to wear something that best presents you. For example, I don't wear jewellery, I think it takes away from my persona. I think my character comes out best without jewellery.”

Despite having an image of a person who has brains along with beauty, somehow the roles that she gets to do in films don't justify it, and she's considered a mere glamour puss. Thus, her real life image has proved to be a disadvantage to her reel life career. ” I think due to this image of being a woman with a mind, many directors don't want to cast me in a conventional role, thinking my mind won't allow it. They won't think that as an actress I should be able to do all types of work. It'll take its time but I'm sure the time will come.”

Among the films that are closest to her heart is her debut film 'Dastak' for obvious reasons. ”Goldie Behl's 'Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai' with Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherji, from among my forthcoming films, is very close to my heart. It has captured a different side of me. The film is a dream film. I relate a lot with Lara Oberoi in the film. Sometimes I see a lot of her in me and there are times when I want to be like her. She's a modern woman in a man's world. She's a fantastic character. You have to see the film to know what I'm talking about. Apart from 'Bas Itna', Meghna Gulzar's 'Filhaal' is something that I am proud of. I am very critical of myself, but for the first time I said, 'Sush, well done.' It's one of my best, and I tell myself that I can do even better.”

Apart from a being a beauty queen, an actress and a philantropist, Sushmita also happens to be a poet of substance. But she is apprehensive about getting her book of poems published. ”I'm very scared of being judged. It's only written for myself, so I can go back to them and relive the experiences. I plan to write a book though, and I want to use the poems to bring back memories. I do share my poems with the kids in my building and encourage them to write. Writing comes easy to me. I write better than I speak. When I talk, I use too many words, but when I write I concentrate on the essence.”

Sushmita, who is a level headed and very practical person, believes that the showbiz industry in India is very chauvinistic. But at the same time, she says, there are some chivalrous persons too. She also feels there will come a time when the women will call the shots in this presently male dominated industry.

While some people donate money or inaugurate hospitals, Sush has adopted a baby as part of her commitment towards society. She feels very bad when people term her adopting the baby as 'an act of charity'. ”I want everyone to know that when I said I wanted to do something to make a difference I didn't say it to gain points, I actually meant it. My daughter Rene isn't 'a charitable act'. I did not adopt her to make a point. I did it for a selfish reason. I wanted to be a mother. She has made me the happiest person in the world. I don't think she's adopted, I think a surrogate mother gave birth to her for me.”

Marriage for her is not on the cards in the near future and nor is she engaged to hotelier Sanjay Narang, her current boyfriend. ”I've been with him for very little time and we are just trying to get to know each other well. He is charming and well read. He's had a great education so he has a very broad-minded approach to life. He's a large hearted man. I'm a person who needs to grow in a relationship and he understands that and helps me grow.

Courtesy: Smashits.com