Bollywood's glamour icon Priyanka Chopra, who judged the Femina Miss India 2007 Sunday, says her career would have been nipped in the bud had she not won the beauty pageant in 2000.

"Miss India will always remain special. That's where it all started for me. And maybe that's where it would've ended if I hadn't won the crown. So I know how important it is to win the Miss India contest," Priyanka told IANS.

Priyanka was exceedingly excited about judging this beauty pageant.

"I've the privilege of being on both sides of the stage. I know how important it is to make the contestants feel comfortable. I was as nervous about judging Miss India as I was about participating in it."

This was the first time Priyanka judged the beauty pageant. "And I wouldn't have missed it for the world," she said.

Recently, she had the most memorable dinner of her life with the members of Malaysia's royal family.

Priyanka, who was invited to flag off Sunday's Grand Prix in Sepang, dined with King Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail and Queen Fauziah Abdul Rashid Friday night.

"They were graciousness-personified. I had myself the most amazing evening. The entertainment was subdued and sophisticated. There were some incredible Malaysian singers. And the food was out of this world. I had a truly memorable time," said Priyanka.

"This was my second visit to Malaysia in two weeks. And I spent a major part of 2005 and 2006 in the country shooting for 'Don'. So Malaysia is almost like my second home now. Maybe the Malaysians should just adopt me," she laughed.

"This was the formal inauguration dinner for the Grand Prix. Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the actual flagging off of the race on Sunday. I had to be back to judge the Miss India contest."

Priyanka is excited about her next release "Big Brother" coming Friday.

"You know, 'Big Brother' was the first film I signed. My life's first shot was for this film. Today I feel so proud to see that it has shaped up so well. For the first time I play a typical middleclass girl, very simple and with no make up. Quite a contrast with the glamorous roles I've done so far.

"Not that I don't enjoy doing the glam sham. In fact my role in 'Love Story 2050' is my most glamorous role to date."