After my schooling, I went away to London for a year, after which I got married and moved to Hyderabad. Life was so nawaabi here - if I dropped my hanky, my mother-in-law would ring the bell for the servant to come and pick it up.

My father was Consul General for Turkey and therefore, we've always had a very luxurious life. But my mother made sure we were not spoilt children. As for money, I'm not one of those money mad people. I'm one of those chalti-ka-naam-gaadi types. If it's there, fine, use it. If not, never mind. It's not the make of the car that matters as long as there is a car to use.But money does mean options. It gives you the ability to do what you want. I don't think the making of money curtails the enjoyment of it - not if you like your job.

I loveperfumes, lipsticks. And I love sarees - from Singapore. Now, this might sound a bit strange, when most other people would say electronics from Singapore. But, you see, they have the best in nylons, and I like wearing nylon sarees because I'm always rushing around so much, and it doesn't need looking after. But when I go to London, I spend all my money on theatre tickets.

I don't think I have business acumen. After my husband passed away, it's my sons who help me. I'm not very smart on how to make the most of money. I do have shares left to me by my husband, but I don't speculate.

I suppose there are people for whom making money is like a junoon (passion), it is necessary though. I think that without money there is nothing. Like this movie, Biwi No 1, where Sushmita Sen says I want a man who's rich, with a car and bunglow. I think it's true of most girls today. Money makes the mare go is still in practice and in vogue.

If I had pots of money, I would have wanted to have a mobile dispensary unit to gointo the villages. I would have actually liked to become a doctor, but my grandmother stopped even my college after the first year.

I think money is a tool and should remain one. It should never become the master. My husband always said if you run after money it will never come to you. I don't know far true that is. I suppose if you don't have any, it's very difficult, and so this maxim won't apply.

--As told to Punam Mohandas