Actress Sushmita Sen, a former Miss Universe, feels proud to be a part of an industry which binds people of different cultures together.

"Coming from the film fraternity, I feel proud that in our country, besides cricket, our films and art bind people together. I am thrilled to be from this fraternity," the 37-year-old said here Tuesday at the inauguration of a painting exhibition 'Women And WE Men'.

The art exhibition celebrated women and Sushmita says it is fantastic to be a woman.

"I think it's fantastic to be a woman. I have talked about this issue since I was 18...the essence of a woman, how special it is," she said.

Meanwhile, Sushmita is all set to return to the screen this year.

"You are going to see me back in films this year. I want to say to all my fans 'I love you people'. Two-and-a-half years of break, soon I will be back," Sushmita said.

Sushmita was last seen in the 2010 film "No Problem".