MUMBAI:

Fresh from playing a 16th century queen in a historical romance, Indian actress Aishwarya Rai believes modern women have a much better deal.

Rai said it was tiring playing queen since most women in royal families of the 16th century spent hours over their personal appearance and could rarely voice their opinion.

“I consider myself lucky to be born in today’s era where a woman has far more freedom to exercise her rights,” she said. “It took them ages to get ready for one appearance, and imagine staying behind curtains all day long,” said Rai.

Rai stars in Jodha-Akbar that tells the love story between her character, a Hindu princess Jodha Bai, and the Muslim emperor Akbar played by Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan. Directed by well-known filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar, the movie, set for release next month, centres on how an arranged marriage between Emperor Akbar and his wife turned into love. — AP