Why Sushmita left the movies

Sushmita Sen traded in her Bollywood career to become an entrepreneur and mentor to future Miss Universes, the title she so memorably won 17 years ago.

She heads I Am She, the national beauty pageant that sends its winner to the Miss Universe pageant, and seems happy guiding her young charges and being the mentor she herself never had.

"I Am She is an institution that reflects and personifies the grace, charm and elegance of an Indian woman. It has been acknowledged internationally as one of the best conceived pageants," she says of the pageant that will be held in July for the second year running.

Talking about the response the contest has attracted, the former Miss Universe said she was ecstatic about the numbers. "I am overjoyed by the response. The best part is that this time the girls can speak in any language they are comfortable in, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu," said the dazzling Sen.

As a result of dismantling the language barrier, she says, almost 1,800 women have applied to take part in the contest, many of them from really small towns, "which is a great sign. You will see the raw Indian beauty now."

Is the aim of all these prospective contestants to ultimately land up with a plum role in Bollywood, an industry she herself has quit?

Sushmita disagrees; the pageant has gone beyond Bollywood, she says. "You wouldn't believe it but we have got a contestant who is a lawyer, another who is a practising doctor, we have got contestants from various fields. And so, no, they are not craving for a career in the film industry. Instead, their aim is to win the scholarship."

Sen has been in the beauty pageant business for close to two decades, ever since she won the title in 1994 and gave India its first Miss Universe. What change does she see in the Indian women of today competing for the coveted crown?

"Oh, there has been a phenomenal change in the attitude of women. I must say I'm totally blown away by the new generation. When I was contesting, I knew nothing at all what I'm going to do with my life. But look at the women today, they are fearless and confident and are totally sure of what they aspire to achieve in life."

What's her take on the "no marriage, no pregnancy" clause that producers want to add to film contracts for actresses?

"If that were to happen to me, I'd show the door to the producer," she said firmly. "I don't believe what I do outside my profession is anybody's' business. And that includes a personal thing like pregnancy or even marriage. If you don't believe I'm a professional, do not sign me. And if you've signed me on a certain belief, don't question my integrity."

The spontaneous, straight-talking Sushmita we know is still very much there and what she just said will hopefully convey a strong message to producers who have stirred up an unnecessary controversy.

Finally, on her disappearance from the film industry even after being a popular A-list actress, the Biwi No 1 star cities her "many films not doing too well" as the reason along with her quest to do something more concrete.

Her last decent hit was the 2005 Salman Khan starrer Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. After that, she appeared in a string of forgettable films -- Bewaffa, Alag, Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag,and the more recent disaster No Problem.

She is now grooming girls for the Moss Universe title, so was there anyone who helped or influenced her?

"That would be Shobha Maa, who has adopted me," she answers without hesitation. "She is a woman of immense strength, something I've tried inheriting. Then there is also Mother Teresa who has, in different measure, inspired all of us."

And then, in complete contrast, she cites bizarre pop-singer Lady Gaga, who has also been an influential figure in her life, "except when she's wearing beef," she signed off.