In conversation with Lara Dutta: 'They had me at Dubai'

Dubai - She is the emcee at the 2017 Maritime Standard Awards being held at Atlantis The Palm

Former Miss Universe, Lara Dutta, isn't afraid of trying something new; which is probably why she is the emcee at the 2017 Maritime Standard Awards being held at Atlantis The Palm.
"In all my time as Miss Universe, and in all my time after as a Bollywood actress, I have hosted many different awards and shows, but I have actually never ever done something in the maritime sector," she told Khaleej Times, in the afternoon before the event.
She admits that she was a bit surprised when she got the call asking if she was interested in hosting the awards, but that the organisers had her full interest when they mentioned Dubai.
"I have to say that they had me at Dubai," she candidly said. "It's definitely exciting, and it's always nice to be able to constantly reinvent what you do. I also think that it is a great idea to bring two completely different industries together; you have the glitz of Bollywood which you are interjecting into the Maritime Standard Awards. It's a whole new experience for me and the idea is to give the audience something unexpected."
The fact that the awards honour the very best in the maritime industry, was another reason for her to host the show. "I have a lot of friends back home, who are in this industry and have been for many years, and they always tell me their stories about the industry, but to actually come here and spend an evening with the very best and most distinguished personalities in the entire region in the industry is fantastic. I believe that this is what life is all about - it's a constant exchange of ideas and interacting with different cultures."
Indian cinema has a very rich history of filming stunning sequences on the ocean - a fact that Dutta is well aware of.
"I spent almost 45 days filming in the Bahamas for the movie 'Blue' and we were in and out of the water almost every day," she recalled. "It is an industry that is seen as very glamorous and everybody associates it with luxury because of the yachts and ocean liners. As a matter of fact, we have had whole movies made on ocean cruises!"
Asked about her plans after the awards have concluded, she said: "Well, my daughter is here with me and she is having an absolute blast. While she has been in Dubai many times previously, this is her first time at the Atlantis. Everyone at the hotel including the staff and management have taken very good care of us, and my daughter has been going around looking at the aquariums and having lots of fun while learning."
As a family, Dutta also says that it is important to travel and do things together as a family. She recently wrapped up filming her upcoming movie in New York and London, says that while there aren't any upcoming movies for her that take place in Dubai, she is always open to opportunities that will bring her back to the city.
"I keep looking for reasons to come back, so I am sure that there might be something in the future," she said. "My husband, Mahesh, also loves coming here, and it is a city that loves him back. As a family, we always enjoy our time here, so it's amazing."

• Dubai