Biographie

Father is Indian and mother is Swiss.

She was born in Bath, England to a Swiss-Italian mother and an Indian father. She later settled in London with her husband, Colin Tierney, and her daughter.

Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1992-1995.

She played her first large role in the 1996 Indian film Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, which was directed by Mira Nair.

She joined England's Musical Youth Theatre Company and later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

[about her drama training] I grew up, psychologically and emotionally. You were constantly asked to delve deep into yourself. You know, method acting and all that. In Improv you'd think to yourself, "Right. My character's been raped, and beaten up, and now's she's tied up in this room". And you'd say to people, "Ooh. Could you throw me down the stairs before my improvisation and tie me up?" It wasn't a case of acting, it was where you became the person. Ridiculous, but really good fun.

I've been doing serious acting for as long as I've been working, but sadly, most Asians don't attend plays or tune into what they consider arty dramas, but I know they'll watch Coup de foudre à Bollywood (2004). It's not exactly serious acting, but at least I won't be seen as the porn star that some people think I am!

[Asiana magazine, August 2004] The star system in India takes some getting used to. The divide between rich and poor is huge as it is, but if you're a film star, you're placed way up there and everyone around expects you to behave like you're a superior being or something. There are people hanging around all day waiting to bring you a glass of water or carry something for you, anything to show you they're not worthy. It's crazy. For the British Asian stars among the cast, who grew up minus servants and peons waiting on them hand on foot, or feeling any particular need to act the star when off camera, all this seemed a bit much. For a while, they decided to put it down to different strokes. Until [Indira and co-star and "soulmate" Nitin Ganatra] decided, "Sod this. Let's take the piss."

[Asiana magazine, August 2004] I'm as insecure as the next girl when it comes to the way I look, but I also know anyone can be made to look much better than they are, whether that's through cosmetic surgery and trick photography or make-up and a flattering dress. Other people's glamor only becomes a problem when you become obsessed with wanting to look like them. I can do glamorous if a part or a photo shoot requires it, but I don't want to live glamorous.

[in Asiana magazine, August 2004, about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan] She's always working, if she isn't acting she's doing a dance show or singing at some billionaire's party or attending some gala premiere. I wanted to shake her and scream, "Call this a life? Take a holiday for God's sake!" But she surrounds herself with yes-men who treat her like a goddess - she's in a bubble and if she's happy I guess that's cool.