Free-spirited

I am really enjoying the space in which I am right now. I no longer have to walk the ramp. I do more of commercials and represent brands. For how long can you continue to be a model?

Q. 2 What are the differences that you have discovered between both the industries?

I actually feel less pressure as an actor because the focus is more on the panache of being the personality and the character and talking to people, than just looking perfect all the time.

Q. 3 But actors too are under pressure to look good all the time.

Yes. Actually, in hindsight, models are not that well-known, so no one really cares about them and hence are not under constant scrutiny. Being an actor is a bigger responsibility as people become more curious about you.

Q. 4 How has the transition worked for you?

I have to thank Queen for helping me make that transition, because it isn’t really easy as a model to bag a role. People perceive you as very glamourous. One has to shake off that image and be able to relate to people. My character, Vijayalakshmi, in Queen gave me that opportunity and helped me make that transition easily.

Q. 5 So, your first role in Aisha (of Aarti Menon) didn’t give you that opportunity? What about the other film (Rascals) that you did?

I don’t think they were meaty roles, besides I did not get enough opportunity to showcase my acting abilities. Whereas in Queen, I had enough scenes to make my presence felt. I had a character which had a relevance to the story and an opportunity to showcase something more than beauty. But this was not the case in my previous films.

Q. 6 Has the role in The Shaukeens excited you?

I play a flower child in The Shaukeens. Like many others, Abhishek Sharma saw me in Queen and thought I am the right girl to play the part. I went for the audition with Sai Kabir and Abhishek. I don’t think I had met him before. I really liked the way he looked— with grey hair and black beard — a very arty type of film-maker. I felt he is going to make a very special comedy and he really did that. He lived up to his looks!

Q. 7 Is that how you are going to choose your future projects as well?

That’s how I sign my films. It is all about liking the people you are working with and the script. This is really important for me.

Q. 8 Do you agree that many from the fashion and modelling industry who try to make a career in films are unable to survive or make their mark?

I don’t think everyone is able to make a mark, because we are in a competitive business. There are a lot of people who succeed too, but that requires perseverance. In fact, in any business it’s difficult for everyone to make a mark, whether it is films, journalism or fashion. There are so many youngsters every year who study fashion-designing, but not many are able to succeed in the fashion industry and become the next big thing to look out for.

Q. 9 But how has your personal experience been?

Just as many models strive to enter the film industry, we also have film-makers who are on the look out for talent from the fashion world. When I came to India five-six years ago for modelling assignments, I started getting calls to meet film-makers.

Q. 10 You mean to say film-makers also seek talent from the modelling industry?

People think that it is only models who want to become actors, but please understand this, that the system works both ways. Film-makers are also constantly in search of fresh faces and talent and hence approach modelling agencies.