"My dignity and integrity are absolutely essential to me," says the woman who is rated as India's most beautiful actress.

"I can't live without them. The rest of the things in my life come later," actress Aishwarya Rai told IANS in an interview.

There have been differences between us in the past. But Aishwarya Rai doesn't hold grudges. Contrary to the image created in the press of a flawless porcelain beauty, she gets hurt and she bleeds.

In fact the recent wounds surface suddenly in her effervescent conversation when she says, "I've gone through a lot. I don't want to feel the pain any longer."

Many take her characteristic laughter and unabashed joie de vivre as signs of plasticity. "Too perfect to be true," seems to be the superficial reading of the mystery and muliebrity of Aishwarya Rai.

But the laughter and ebullience is no mask. Aishwarya is as real as she comes.

Her involvement with and commitment to self-improvement is so passionate that many filmmakers misconstrue her attitude to be arrogance.

I remember how outraged Indra Kumar was when she asked for a few changes in the script that was finally made with Karisma Kapoor as Rishta.

"All I did was suggest a few changes and I was made out to be this interfering monster," she giggled... and moved on. It doesn't take Aishwarya long to forget. But she doesn't forgive that easily. If somebody betrays her or lets her down, she would rather move away quietly instead of wallowing in the slush of recrimination.

Her association with Salman Khan was perhaps the biggest mistake of her life. No one, not even her closest friends or family, knows the pain and humiliation she suffered during that period. But somewhere the hard core professional in her is thankful, even - dare I say? - grateful for the experience. Because it has enriched her beyond measure as an actress.

The relationship, which had started on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", reached a breaking point on the sets of the same director's "Devdas", where Salman was a regular visitor. If her performance
as the love-lorn Paro struck such deep chords, it was because the woman within the actress empathised with the character.

Today when she shares a romantic moment with Vivek Oberoi in their new film "Kyun Ho Gaya Na", the past asserts itself in the very title of the film.

Fans of "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" would recall Salman's quip after his first encounter with Aishwarya. "Kyon? Ho gaya na!"

Love has a way claiming and reclaiming those who deserve it the most. And Aishwarya Rai is certainly a prime candidate for the honor. The most eligible bachelor girl in India makes herself immensely warm and accessible on the sets of her films.

I remember when I met Aishwarya on the stunning set of "Devdas" (her blue eyes could've served as a swimming pool at the center of the translucent dance floor) she was doing the celebrated 'Dola re' dance number with Madhuri Dixit. After every shot, Madhuri would withdraw into an isolated corner while Aishwarya would rush to the video monitor to see the end-results.

A group of dignitaries from London's prestigious Selfridge's chain of stores had also dropped in to see the shooting. While watching the two screen queens glide on camera, one of the affable Brits turned to me to ask which of the two was more popular. I told him.

"Oh I'm not surprised, I'm not surprised at all," he smiled as his eyes followed Aishwarya's rhythmic movements on the shimmering dance floor. It was a look I've seen in the eyes of people, including the mighty Amitabh Bachchan, whenever she's in the picture.

When I narrated this incident to Aishwarya she laughed loudly and appreciatively. Compliments about her looks are so much part of her existence and yet she doesn't take any of god's largesse (compliments included) for granted.

On the location for her latest film "Shabd" in Goa, Aishwarya huddles for discussion together with her director debutant Leena Bajaj. This is her first film with a woman director. And Aishwarya is consumed by the rites of creation. After every shot she huddles over the video monitor lips pursed, jaws tense, fists clenched in anticipation.

Remind her of her fierce concentration - a quality that has gone so far in taking her to where she is in the star-hiearchy - and she laughs, "You know me. I don't believe in half-measures. I'd rather do what I've to do or not do it at all."

On the sets of Rituparno Ghosh's "Raincoat" in Kolkata, Aishwarya focuses on her ordinary Bihari housewife's character with a slicing empathy. Ritu, who worked earlier with her in the much-acclaimed "Chokher Bali" is already thinking of signing her for a third film.

Every film, even those, which haven't worked as well as they were expected to, is a step forward for Aishwarya. Her ultimate goal now seems to be Hollywood. And if the truth be told, Aishwarya is the only actor from India to generate a modicum of interest abroad. Gurinder Chaddha has already prophesied that "Bride & Prejudice" would make her an international star. I've no reason to disbelieve her.

"Out here Ash is seen as the representative of Bollywood," Rahul Bose tells me from Los Angeles.

But nothing comes easily to Aishwarya. She may look like the perfect success- story. But her devastating beauty has always been an impediment to her being taken seriously as an actress. When you tell her no director has extracted the same quality of performance from her as Sanjay Leela Bhansali, she protests, "No, I disagree. I think I work equally hard and successfully with others. It's just that Sanjay is such a superior creator and a very close friend who knows exactly what to take out of me."

Though the two of them are bound to work together again, Aishwarya and Sanjay 's relationship got strained when he sided with his friend Salman after the break up. Recently she walked over to where Sanjay was shooting, hugged him and dissolved their differences.

"That's me. I'd do anything for friendship. But not at the cost of my self respect," she smiles.