I'm a thoroughbred Mumbaikar. But even more than that, I'm a Sandra from Bandra. I've lived in Bandra my entire life! My parents are both service people and my sister is a producer. She's also my best friend, and we're completely inseparable.

They have been my only support system, along with Colston.

I come from a completely middleclass background, but that didn't stop my family from putting in their hard earned money to send me to Europe. They truly believed I could do something good with my life. But apart from that, they spend so much time cheering me on and encouraging me. Words really aren't enough to express what they do for me on a day to day basis.

When it comes to support, my family is superb. But Colston Julian was instrumental in getting me to model in Paris. Without him, I can honestly say I would not have even attempted to go there.

He did everything from click my pictures to advising me, expecting nothing in return. But most importantly, he has been the one person who believed in me when no one else gave me a chance.

I actually went on a short vacation to Europe in 2006. Acting on Colston and my family's suggestions, I walked into a couple of agencies and it that's how it started.

Tell me about your experiences there. How does it compare to modelling in India?

For me, both are equally special.

Europe is great because castings are really quick and organised. The same holds true with jobs you book. Also, it's all very laid back and relaxed; people pretty much do their own thing.

In India, it's special because it's my home and I run into a lot of people I know. The comfort level is really high.

I think they both have their positives and negatives, but it would be unfair for me to compare the two because I've pretty much just started working in Paris this year.