When asked about the doctors that say they did plastic surgeries on her: "I wish I could meet all those surgeons. Every once in a while, some doctor claims to have done some operation on me." "I'm a very shy person. Unlike what has been insinuated, it's not a strategy to retain my aura. I'm not trying to live up to any mystery woman image." "Now people might think that I am not married and I have no children, the conventional lifestyle you know, but I see it this way: as long as you are alive, you have a chance to have a future. At least there is hope." "I devoted thirty-one years of my life to this industry and in turn this industry has given me everything that I can be proud of - name, fame and the perks that go with stardom." "Well loneliness is still a part of me, but being alone is not necessarily being lonely." "Sometimes I really wish my life were as exciting as people think it is. Let me also add that my private life is mine alone. I don't want to bare it for discussion and dissection. Because my life can be misunderstood and misinterpreted." "Among the models I admire, I find Aishwarya is the best. I disagree with the media that she is 'plastic'. I find her very expressive." "I have had the best of both worlds. My profession cannot but thrust me into contact with people all the time. I am a lover of life, very curious, a good listener. I observe, I evaluate. Interacting with co-stars, fans, guests all the time can be nerve-wrenching. But when I meet people, I learn, I evaluate, I marvel, I absorb, I remember, and that helps me grasp and process it back at home." "One thing that has influenced my personal life, my career, my attitude, the person I have become and every decision that I have made is the fact that I have been a loner as a child. I have been more or less on my own. In that case, one can feel sorry for oneself. But, in my case, it gave me more time to observe." "I don't care much for success - it's an alien word to me. I don't believe in success, I don't believe in achievements so to speak. I just believe in relishing every moment of my life. That's enough for me." On winning the Stardust Role Model Award: "Thank you Stardust for honoring me with this award. I'm indeed gratified. I don't have to say much. My smile and the audiences' smile says it all. I have been around in this industry for the last 36 years, but I promise I will entertain you for another 63 years." (February 2006) (July 2006, about Hrithik Roshan): Hrithik epitomizes everything precious in a man, be it as a son, lover or as a husband. This kid is a complete human being. When asked if she would have a problem doing sexual roles at her age: "After Aastha: In the Prison of Spring people had a lot to say about my role of a wife who moonlights as a prostitute. I don't have problems playing anything. I've reached a stage where I could do justice to any role that came my way. It could be Maa ka role (the role of a mother), bhabhi ka role (the role of a young woman). negative, positive, sensational or anything." (October 2006) About Aishwarya Rai taking on her role in the remake of Umrao Jaan: "I am so fond of Ash. Even when she was a model, I was very positive of her achievements, and had huge expectations from her. People might think I'm prejudiced but I truly believe that even though 'Umrao Jaan' has done a lot for us, it will do a lot more for Ash. She truly deserves it." (October 2006) About Aishwarya Rai: "I think she has got a very raw deal. She's our treasure but she's neither here nor there, with one foot in Hollywood. She has not had anything great since Devdas. I will fight for her like a tigress if need be." (October 2006) "My heart goes out to Ash. She's been around for so long and yet not been there. That's how it was with me...until I did Umrao. It seemed improbable that a Tamilan girl talking Urdu would work. Similarly this South Indian girl should realize her potential in Umrao. She doesn't need to go to Hollywood to prove herself. She's our own. Why Bride & Prejudice? Who are these people from outside trying to tap Ash's potential? She's our treasure. It's time we acknowledge her." (October 2006)