“I have a holistic need to work and to have huge ties of love in my life. I can't imagine eschewing one for the other,” said Meryl Streep once famously. I would say no words better describe my stated attitude towards life.

At this momentous juncture in my life, I feel lot more at ease for the teeming and unconditional support, encouragement and love of everyone around.  It’s natural to love your work when your work gets loved, I presume.

Let me take you to my roots - born at Chandigarh into an `Air force’ family, headed by a very disciplined but doting father and a charming and adorable mother, I spent much of my early childhood in air force campuses across India, especially in North. Most of the education was through Kendriya Vidyalaya. I never had steadfast friends early on as my father got transferred before I could establish any friendship.

Overall, I had a very uneventful childhood and schooling.

My memories of Kerala of those days are limited to the gala time I had with my cousins around the spiralling Tharavadu fields and feasts with grandparents. I enjoyed payasam for all my three meals. Yet the language seemed alien as everyone around me struggled to speak to me in Hindi and English. My Achamma (father’s mom) used to make her special `neyyu dosa’ for me as she would make my 30-40 days long vacation a time to hold for the next two years.

I remember the first of the day of the shooting - my struggle with the language got me the surname - Madam. However, everyone was kind to me to make me comfortable and I enjoyed every bit of it. After this, I did two more movies, but soon came the big opportunity - Ms India pageant.

The 1994 event was the first one to be telecast live as I participated with Sushmita Sen and Aiswarya Rai for the title. I received the second runner-up or what is now called Ms India Asia Pacific to further up my career. This was indeed the Moment of Truth for me. When I won it, all I could think of was going home to my parents and celebrating with them. I actually did not know how to handle the attention. I faded into oblivion for two months before I came back to the scene - only to be stunned by the limelight on me - I was one of the most wanted women in India.

I went to Manila in the same year to participate in the competition but came only fourth. But as luck would have it, my biggest ticket to the fashion world - Gladrags Supermodel contest came my way.

The glamorous event held at the Mahalaxmi Race Course was the cynosure of all eyes as I was crowned the first Supermodel among females along with Kelly Dorjee among males.

Then there was a series of fashion shows and ads before I got my first glimpse at Hindi films - a song in Ishq which became an instant rage. Few more roles later, I lost interest or simply I could not manage between my first love - modelling and movies.  When I wanted to get back, I found to my chagrin that I had no godfather. I did whatever came my way before accepting a meaningful role in Malayalam.

My own people accepted me with open hands and consequential roles, and here I am today, much appreciated and much loved. I simply want to say thank you, all…please keep on loving me.

My motto in life is to be happy and positive, circumstances do not matter.

Let me summarise with another evocative thought from the greatest actor of the 20th century, Sir Laurence Olivier:

“I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it. Have a very good reason for everything you do”

Me too, Sir,

Love

Shwetha