By Jilawatan

She’s a former Miss Universe, and one of the most popular Bollywood stars in India these days. She’s also one of the busiest, and often has to turn down western productions because of her hectic schedule. But one opportunity Aishwarya Rai wasn’t about to pass up was ”Pink Panther 2”. The 35-year-old beauty plays the romantic interest in the film, but of course, she’s not all that she seems. The film recently screened Out of Competition at the Berlin Film Festival. Rai along with Steve Martin and Jean Reno were in town to present the film. Gaynor Flynn reports.

You’re the beautiful bad girl in this film, how does it feel?

Well bad has never been so good.

What was your reaction when you first heard about the Pink Panther 2 role?

By Jilawatan

How did you like reprising the role of inspector Clouseau?
I love playing the character of Clouseau. I had to brush up on the French accent

a bit, but other than that, it was like visiting a good friend. This role gives me a chance to do physical comedy. Clouseau is truly an exaggerated character – innocent and childlike. At the same time, he thinks he’s on top of every situation, which I think is always funny. So when the opportunity of acting in the sequel came along, my answer was yes.

What according to you makes inspector Clouseau click with the audience?
The fact that I’m playing him (laughs). Sorry, no. I guess the qualities that characterise inspector Clouseau – pettiness, egocentricity, lack of intelligence, and bumbling – are lovable, at least in a film.