Were you expecting a positive response to your performances in Biwi No.1 and Sirf Tum?
Sure, I did. I'm aware that success is a must to feel a part of the film industry. Today I've been accepted. I'm grateful for the response, I feel very special. I've never seen 500 e-mails on my net in a day before the release of Biwi No.1 and Sirf Tum.

How's the industry treating you now?
I've been flooded with bouquets and calls. The way people present themselves to me has changed, the degree of respect has increased. But all this doesn't overwhelm me because I wasn't underwhelmed when it wasn't happening. I've understood that everyone is a commodity out here. Whoever sells the most is loved the most. It took me some time to realise this. Now that things are rocking, I intend to enjoy myself completely. I won't stress myself, I won't brood that tomorrow the euphoria may just vanish.

Have you changed at all?
In a way, maybe. I'm learning to say "No." I had no choices earlier but now that I've tasted success, I want more of it.

Was it difficult to cope with failure after the high of being crowned Miss Universe?
As Ms Universe, I was on a terrific high. I have no qualms about saying this but I knew that I would have nowhere to go, that I'd have to start all over again. There were moments of frustration, moments of anger. Still, I kept a positive outlook throughout the last two years. Thank God, I didn't start with a hit.

After Dastak and Zor flopped, what made you stick around?
I didn't want to live with the idea that I didn't try hard enough. I'm not a quitter even when the going gets tough. I didn't want to walk out as a loser.

How important is success for you?
At one point, fame meant a lot to me... which is why I've got where I have. But fame is accompanied by tremendous pressure. It took me some time to realise that it's okay for a Miss Universe to be human, it's okay to make mistakes. I didn't have to be perfect person because I was being idolised. What's the use of being an idol if you've to be a hypocrite as well?

Have you now managed to get rid of the unprofessional tag?
I got rid of that tag a long time ago. But I was still being called unprofessional in print because the media had nothing else to write about me. I know I'm professional, I haven't hassled any one. True, I was very unprofessional at the beginning of my career. I've corrected that. There were times when I behaved awfully, when I messed up, but I have rectified that.

Which actors have you been comfortable with?
I've really enjoyed working with Ajay Devgan. I've learnt so much from him about acting. Sanjay Kapoor has been a fantastic co-star. He has an amazing sense of humour. Before working with Sanjay, I fret about the way my career was going. And here was a guy who had suffered a lot more than I had. Yet his attitude was amazingly positive. I like that a lot about him.

What about Salman Khan?
Salman behaved like a star to the hilt with me initially. We had a problem while shooting for Biwi No 1 in Miami. I was upset because he didn't turn up on time for the shooting. I said something and he said something. Later, he told me, "Sush, this is the way I've been working for the past five years. I know how the industry functions." And I was like, "Yeah, even I'm learning. I've learnt to be more patient." After that we were okay, we got along pretty well.

In a recent interview you've stated that "Salman can never be a friend". Did you have a showdown with him over Aishwarya Rai or what?
That quote was a figment of a journalist's imagination. Why should I say that when we're okay with each other? Salman and I aren't the best of friends but we aren't enemies either. He has quite a few nice qualities. And why should I get upset about whom he's seeing? He can go around with any one he wants to and so can Ash.

He isn't my boyfriend. So why I should be bothered about his girlfriend?
So far I thought it was the so-called Ash-Sush war. I can't fathom how, why and where Salman came into the picture. When the press was writing about Ash doing Vikram Bhatt's film and me getting hyper, I could understand that. Because Vikram was my boyfriend but the Salman angle is beyond me.

What was the showdown with David Dhawan all about?
David and I did have a problem on the sets of Biwi No 1. It was a misunderstanding. After we sorted it out, David told me that the film would do me proud. He kept his word, my role has shaped out better than it was narrated to me.

Is it tough being an actress?
I haven't learnt acting, I didn't even participate in school dramatics. What I do on the sets is totally spontaneous. I do look for inspiration. For instance in Biwi No 1, I did try and copy Meryl Streep's nakhras from She-Devil.

What about the confrontation scene with Karisma Kapoor. That almost looked real?
(Smiles) There were no problems between us. It was a three-page scene which was cut down to one page. I only told David that I would address Karisma as aap not tu because by saying aap, I would be giving her respect. Also, I refused to walk out of the frame at the end of the scene. Both these things went in favour of me.

Are you on your guard working with another heroine?
When I'm doing a scene with another heroine, I'm extra cautious. I have to be careful because comparisons are inevitable. Even now I have nothing against doing two-heroine projects. In fact, the two films I've accepted recently are both two-heroine subjects.

Why did you refuse to do a film with Aishwarya Rai?
I would do a film with Ash only for a good film-maker who I know will give us both equal footage. Right now if we do a film together, it would be hyped for all the wrong reasons. It's better to wait. I refused the project with Ash only because my role wasn't good enough. I have no hang-ups about doing a film in which we both have equal prominence.

You seem to have been branded as "the other woman", both in reel and real life, are you?.
Who cares about being branded as long as you're successful. Reel and real life are two different things. Now I want to do films in which I get the hero in the end. I don't want to play the martyr any more.

What is the nature of your relationship with Sanjay Kapoor?
It's utter rubbish to say that Sanjay and I are seeing each other. He's a friend and I won't let anything or any one affect our friendship. I just hope that the baseless rumours don't affect Maheep and Sanjay's relationship either.

Is it true that some of your scenes in Sirf Tum were reshot at Sanjay Kapoor's insistence?
Ashok Mehta had shot the Dilbar song. What I looked in that song and in my scenes was a total contrast. Once the song became popular, the director (Ahathian) felt that some of the scenes should be re-shot. He spoke to Boney and Sanjay backed the idea because Sirf Tum was his last chance. He didn't want anything to go wrong.

How could Sanjay have had the scenes re-shot? Uska raj hai kya ?
What is the one thing you hate about your profession? To be liked and loved constantly, you have to be happening every Friday. I wish you didn't have to please everyone all the time.

Do you still believe in love?
Yes, very much. My definition of love may have changed. A year ago, I could see love right before my eyes. I can't see love in front of me today but I know it's there. I can feel it.

How do you get over with heartbreaks?
It's extremely difficult to break off because so much has gone into a relationship. A break-up is emotionally exhausting, the tears and the trauma drain me out totally. Once I flush it all out of my system, I'm ready to face life again with a smile.

Do you miss Vikram Bhatt?
Honestly, I don't miss him at all.

Are you in touch with him?
No, we're not in touch either.

Would you say you're an easy person to live with?
(Laughs) Not at all. I know I am a difficult person to live with. I'm not trying to change. But of late, I've become more relaxed, patient and tolerant.

It's felt that you're constantly demanding attention.
I do crave attention but not constantly. I'm aware that demanding constant attention from your guy can be very irritating. I like to have my space and I give space too. There are times when I want to be left alone.

Are you into a relationship right now?
No, I am not.

Do you miss not having a man around?
Not at all. For the past five years, I've been into one relationship after another. Now that I'm single, I enjoy being alone. I've been busy writing poems, watching TV and I've even started reading. I have finished reading two books and that's quite an achievement for me.

Do you think your ex-boyfriends have got over you?
I hope not. I hope a part of me has remained with them... I hope they'll continue to remember me for ever.

Have you ever contemplated marriage?
Yes, I'm looking forward to marriage. However, it's not on my list of priorities right now. Marriage will have to wait for a long, long time.

(Laughs) Men propose to me every day. Just this morning, I received an e-mail from a guy in Bangalore. He's written that he has liked me ever since he saw me in Goa at the Miss India contest. He sent me the e-mail because he wants to have a smile on his face thinking about how he actually went ahead and proposed to me. I think that's cute.

Do you think men are intimidated by you?
I know I'm intimidated by me. That's because I am not naive.

Do you mind being called sexy?
A lot of men tell me that I'm sexy. I find that flattering. For me being sexy is being feminine.

Would you tell a man that you find him sexy?
Yes, I would definitely walk up to a man and tell him that he's sexy. I find Mel Gibson sexy but I haven't told him that. Ricky Martin is amazingly sexy. Go on... (Laughs uproariously) I know that Ricky has gone on record to say that I was the inspiration for his song Maria. Rubbish! I don't think I was the inspiration at all. Ricky's a friend, we keep in touch. Besides being a good singer, he's a good actor, too.

Anil Kapoor has stated that you like bald men. Yes?
(Laughs) I'm going to kill Anil for that. Tell Anil I still don't like men with facial hair. By the way which bald man was he referring to?

Perhaps Sanjay Kapoor because of his receding hairline.

Ha, ha, ha, very funny. Next question.

What do you like for in a guy?
Good looks aren't important. A man's intelligence turns me on. I get totally turned off by dumb men.

Do you mean to say that you were bowled over by Vikram's intelligence?
Vikram has a striking personality. He is very intelligent. He can converse with you about everything under the sun.

What about Akshay Kumar?
I don't like being associated with him. I wish people would understand that. Raveena Tandon says she caught Akshay Kumar and you red-handed? Caught red-handed with Akshay? I can't help it if someone has a very vivid imagination. I don't want to give any one any importance by talking about such drivel.

How do your parents react when they read uncomplimentary things about you?
They don't react at all, they've tremendous faith in me. I keep telling them I am not perfect, I will go wrong once in a while.

Are you a religious person?
I am spiritual. I pray but not to every idol. I don't follow any religion. I believe there is God in every one. I pray hard when I'm going through bad times. In good times, I just thank God once in a while