She has never sounded happier. Talking nineteen to the dozen after inaugurating the 58th Cannes film festival, Aishwarya Rai also sounded busy. "It's been a hectic but finally very satisfying schedule," she said on the phone from Cannes.

"I'm very happy to be here. It's always a great pleasure and honour to represent my country for an occasion as special as the Cannes film festival. I'm flooded with memories. Two years ago, I was on the jury. And then before that Sanjay (Bhansali), Shah Rukh and I were in Cannes for a very special screening of 'Devdas' . Each visit to Cannes has been an occasion for me." This time Ash was at the prestigious festival to declare the event officially open. "It was very simple. I just said one line and so did director Alexander Payne... and it was on."

Aishwarya now leaves for London to shoot her new film, Jagmohan Mundhra's "Provoked". What amazes Ash is the growing power and glory of Indian cinema in the West.

"Indian cinema has begun to be recognised globally. And it's very important for us to make our presence felt at important events such as Cannes. I feel there should be more Indian representation at festivals. India is producing such a large cross section of films. We need to be part of world cinema, and we need to do that now."