I wanted to be a graphics designer but all that changed after I won the Miss India Universe title in 1984. My screen debut soon afterwards came in Sultanat directed by Mukul S. Anand.

In 1988, director Nasir Hussain offered me Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak  (QSQT) opposite Aamir Khan. The movie became a huge success and became my anchor in the industry. A few years later another significant career milestone came when I did a cameo role in Yash Chopra’s hit Chandni. That prompted the director to cast me in Aaina with Jackie Shroff and in Darr with Sunny Deol and Shah Rukh Khan.

I have a bubbly nature that was suited for romcoms with actors like Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, but I also became the first choice for filmmakers like Nagesh Kukunoor, who offered me 3 Deewarein and Onir for My Brother Nikhil. The films were a far cry from mainstream Bollywood films.

I don’t have any regrets about my career even though I took many silly decisions. As a result I gave the thumbs down to several blockbusters that went to other actresses.  You could say that Karisma Kapoor owes her stardom to me as I opted out of Raja Hindustani.

My current release Chalk N Duster is a story about teachers. It’s about the hardships they face when they try to keep up with the changing education system.

After I got married and had two children —daughter Jhanvi and son Arjun — my family has been my priority. Over the years, I think I’ve changed. Earlier when a film wouldn’t work I would sit and cry. But one learns that time moves on and strangely you do too.

Now I’ve passed my prime, I’m happy doing fewer films as long as they strike a chord with audiences. Besides films, I get a kick from anything to do with wellness. My dream is to open a yoga farm near Mumbai. Overall, it’s been a journey where I’ve seen the lows and also some wonderful highs.

(As told to Sushmita Biswas)