Los Angeles: Actress Cate Blanchett says she has had intimate relationships with women ‘many times’.

The 45-year-old actress is starring in the screen adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel ‘The Price of Salt’ named ‘Carol’, which takes place in the 1950s and tells the story of a woman named Carol (played by Blanchett) who enters into a secret romance with a female department store clerk (played by Rooney Mara).

Asked by variety.com if this was her first intimate experience with a woman, Blanchett replied: ‘On film -- or in real life?’

Pressed to elaborate, the ‘Cinderella’ star confirmed that she has had off-screen relationships with women ‘many times’, but declined to comment further.

Blanchett, who has adopted a daughter with her husband of 18 years, says that she also ‘read a lot of girl-on-girl books from the period’ to prepare for the role.

‘Carol’ will compete for the Palme d'Or at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival.