Quotes

The top question I always get is, "What was it like to kiss Jonathan Rhys Meyers, you lucky cow?" What can I say? He was great to kiss. Good lips. It was embarrassing, actually. The first time we had that kissing scene, I actually forgot my lines, I got so lost in it. "There was silence all around me and I thought 'Why is everything so quiet?' I looked around and then said, 'Oh, it's me, isn't it?'" (on kissing Rhys-Meyers in Bend It Like Beckham (2002))

When asked about her marriage plans for the future: "Not yet. My theory right now is that if it ain't broke...! I'm not going to leave it too long, but not just yet. There are a few things that I still want to do. And it's so much hassle trying to plan a wedding [laughts]. I just want it to be perfect." (2007)

About wanting children: "Yes. I don't want to be an old mother. I think five years is about right." (2007)

When asked if people still ask her about her film Bend It Like Beckham (2002): Yeah, I met somebody at a party and they were like, "Which one of the two girls were you?" I said, "I was the brown one! (2007).

About David Beckham and Victoria Beckham moving to L.A.: "It's so funny that people think that we would naturally be hanging out. No, not happening! I met them once, and they were lovely. I think it's kind of inevitable that they would end up here. I was like, "Wow, he's getting paid quite a lot of money!" (2007).

"I love cooking. I couldn't do any of these L.A. diets because I love my Indian food too much. If there was a Zone diet that included Indian food, maybe I'd do it...I should invent it!" (2007)

When asked who was the better kisser on ER (1994): "All my cast-mates want to know that! They were both special in their own way [laughs]. John and his stubble gave me a rash. With Shane, it was more gentle and smooth. The funniest moment was directly after kissing Shane, we were eating Chinese food and drinking coffee. Then we shot more kissing scenes; we had mints on hand!" (2007).

About her biggest fashion disaster: When I was 13, I was really into Madonna. I'd wear leggings, short skirts, big blouses, big belts, a pearl choker, big earrings, bracelets - I was a mess. I thought I was a mini- Madonna (2007).

On her first sex scene in Compulsion (2008): I always said I'd never do a nude scene but now I have. I know there will be a huge fuss when "Compulsion" comes out. It's partly because of the fact I'm Asian. People don't expect me to do that. I never expected myself to do that. I always said 'No' and then, finally, I reached a point where I thought, 'It's now or never'. My mum will probably disapprove but I'll deal with that. I'm old enough now to make decisions like this (2009).

On arranged marriage: When I was 18 my mother gave me a photo of a man and said I'd marry him. I told her then I was never going to have an arranged marriage. No one has ever forced me to do anything against my will. (2009)