I'm a simple girl at heart: Ash

Aishwarya Rai talks about love, going back to Cannes this year and living out of a suitcase.

As always, there's a lot happening in Aishwarya Rai's life. A couple of movies are in the post production stage, she's shooting for one and yet another is hitting theatres today. Add to this, her forthcoming trip to Cannes, a bout of laryngitis, followed by the minor cycling accident last week.

Ash is currently filming for Mani Ratnam's 'Guru' in Badami, Karnataka, but she takes time off to talk about her latest release 'Mistress of Spices'. The green-eyed actor plays the central character Tilo. So, did she identify with the mystical mistress of spices? "I believe there is a small part of every character inside each actor who portrays it. I'm really a simple girl at heart, like Tilo."

Unlike Tilo, however, Aishwarya's personal views on love are more simplistic. "If you are blessed in this lifetime, you'll find 'true love'. There are many different levels of love - one can experience all or just one kind," believes the actor.

She will be making her almost yearly appearance at the Cannes Film Festival this summer. She says, "The interest in our films has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last four years. Countries that had never bought Hindi films are now regular buyers not only at Cannes, but also at other festivals."

In the last few years, her international projects have taken her all across the globe. But she's not complaining. "Yes, I do miss home - my family, friends and dog, but I'm a happy person regardless of my geographic location."

The former Miss World doesn't miss doing masala Hindi flicks either. "I like the mixture and the variety. So in 2005, I completed three international films - 'Mistress of Spices', 'Provoked' and 'The Last Legion'. And this year I'm fulfilling my Indian commitments with 'Umrao Jaan', 'Dhoom 2', 'Guru' and 'Akbar Jodha'.

Seems like the star has managed to strike just the right balance between Indian and international filmsand yeah, love!