You could be excused for thinking Paris-based supermodel Ujjwala Raut flies back to Mumbai only when one of her sisters gets engaged or married. Her last visit was timed around sis Shubhangi's wedding, and this time sister Ranjana has just got engaged. But Ujjwala's emphatic about why she's here: "I need a rest. I've been working too hard."

The 25-year-old is quite aware of her rising star, and determined to cash in on it. Not just Paris, but New York, London and Milan beckon. And since joining agency IMG (Paris, New York) a year ago, Ujjwala has some impressive names on her portfolio — the recently-bagged Yves Saint Laurent cosmetics campaign among them.

Established models internationally rake in between $10,000 to $ 50,000 a show, and Ujjwala falls well within this bracket. But she harbours no illusions as to the climb ahead. "Becoming a supermodel overnight is impossible," she says. "Maybe in India it can happen, but we don't have the kind of competition models face elsewhere."

Mumbai perceives her as a supermodel,but Ujjwala's sights are set further. "To make it as an international supermodel, you need to get exclusive work," she explains. "The three Cs — covers, contracts, campaigns — are a must. YSL is an exclusive name, yes, but I've to work for a number of years before I get to work for all the big names. Look at Giselle Bundchen — she took seven years to get to where she is."

Her lifestyle has brought on a certain world weariness. "I travel, I wear amazing clothes, I work with beautiful people, it's glamourous. But at times, it's like I've had enough! I'm stressed from getting into new clothes all the time, wearing shoes that don't fit and it's killing you. Travel, travel, travel... and you're always away from your family, especially at important times. I wish I could at least get a cook from India there."

On the anvil now: a restaurant in Paris with a store selling Indian knick knacks, and a cosmetics line. That's a long way away, though. For the moment, Hollywood is an option. "I'm working on improving my diction," she lets on. "But you know, Hollywood would mean shifting to Los Angeles."

Also, Milan's on her mind — she'll be modelling Tarun Tahiliani's line during Milan Fashion Week next month. The thought of which elicits a fierce patriotic pride: "I'm so excited. My designer! My clothes!" The ‘My' referring to the Indianness she holds close, no matter how far she travels.