At 17, I was a national level badminton player. It was also the age when I decided to move from sports to modelling. I remember finishing my board exams and having two to three months to myself in Copenhagen, the place where I was born. It was the first time I had travelled alone and got a taste of living independently.

During that time, I decided to get into modelling. Even though I loved badminton and I'm still very passionate about it, I knew it wasn't a career path I wanted to follow. I returned to India and told my parents about my decision and they were very supportive.

Despite not coming from a film background or having any connection with the world of glamour, my parents believed in me and allowed me to chase my dreams.

My grandfather was very supportive as well and had let my dad (badminton champion Prakash Padukone) choose the profession he wanted, even though in those days sports wasn't considered a great career.

I am lucky and blessed to have such parents, who not only gave me the strength to pursue what I wanted but showed full faith and belief in me. At 17, I moved from being a little girl protected by her family to an independent working girl. I stepped into the real world. I would say that my decision at 17 to become a model has brought me to where I am today.