Scratch your head, for the answer won't come instantly. It was in 2002 with Devdas. Before that she had Hum Dil De Chuke Hai Sanam but both films ran on Khan-power, featuring Shah Rukh and Salman as the major draws.

But Aishwarya Rai, who turns 33 on November 1, is not too bothered. "My reason for choosing a film is not to impress people," says the lovely Aishwarya. "I don't choose films for the box office."

And well she might, because no other actress commands her kind of attention.

Rai, poised for another big year ahead, spoke to Chief Correspondent Syed Firdaus Ashraf about marriage, her career and this Friday's release, Umrao Jaan. Read on.

Don't miss: The Umrao Jaan special section

Photographs: Saab Pictures, Getty Images | Design: Reuben

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