Pressure to stay skeletal is scary: Candice

It’s very tough to be an actor. It is probably tougher for me because my first assignment is a Hindi film. I play the hero’s love interest and was supposed to be part of an emotional and dramatic sequence. But I just could not get it,so it was canned. I am also doing a song sequence,which I realised can be a nightmare with so many people and extras to be coordinated. But I always seem to end up doing what I didn’t want to initially—I didn’t even want to be a model.

Then,how did you end up becoming one?

I was a very shy girl. My father pushed me in the direction because he thought it would help. I was 17 when I did my first campaign. There were so many people with so much attention on me,unknown people were touching,pulling me; I wanted to run away. Besides,like in India a decade ago,modeling was not a profession of repute. It was even tougher given the neighbourhood I was living in. But my father insisted I give it a shot,and I don’t regret it one bit today.

Eating disorder is a prevalent practice in the profession.

The pressure exists from the designers who want you to be skeletal so that clothes can hang on you. It’s scary.

I’ve felt it every year of my career too,when I’ve been turned away by designers. But three years ago,I stopped bothering about it to focus on a healthy living.

What does it take to be on the Playboy cover?

The photographer,who shot the Guess campaign,Raphael Mazzucco,got a chance to shoot a Playboy cover and we designed the concept with Africa for the theme. It’s iconic to be on the cover but I’m not eager to do another.

Have you been to the famous Playboy Mansion?

I was supposed to,but I haven’t yet. I can’t wait to check it out,especially the swimming pool area. But I don’t aspire to live there.