Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has held the numero uno position amongst Bollywood damsels for quite a long time and is regarded as the most bankable actor from India in the Western cinematic world. She recently ranked highest among all the Indian actors and the only female actor from the country to be in Forbes' Most Powerful Actor list (see box).

The Bachchan bahu, who surprised many with her villainous act in The Pink Panther 2, is modest about all these accolades. "All I can say is thanks. I do my job and the audience appreciates my work," she says, adding, "I have never played an out-and-out nasty character, but yes, in The Pink Panther 2 I'm quite a tough cookie."

So, how difficult is it holding top spot with numerous new talented actresses vying for her crown every day? And does it get lonely at the top with rivals forming camps?

"I have never thought like this and I don't want too because you get into a strange loop then," says Ash. "These reports have the sole intention to touch and disturb you. I have never let them affect me, but I won't say that it has been really easy for me to handle everything."

She adds, "From the beginning of my career to now, I have tried doing different things and tried not to get into camps by doing films with a particular banner. I have always tried to be identified for my work than being someone's onscreen pair."

But doesn't Ash get affected by the news that constantly springs up about her being edged out by some star for a product or a film? "Names have always been there, but you know chatter is only a part of the terrain. That is beyond my control and it does not affect me at all."

Ash says she and her hubby Abhishek would love to be part of a conventional romantic film. "Though we are teaming up for films, they have us mostly in unconventional love plots. This means that we are being approached more as actors than a couple, and it's great as it shows how our cinema has come of age. But I would love to do a thorough romantic film with him that has an intense love story," she ends, laughing.

Power packed

Ash has been awarded the 387th position in the global list of Forbes' 1,411 actors. Aamir Khan stands at 540, Shah Rukh Khan at 735, Salman Khan at 753 and Hrithik Roshan at 1,059.