Face-Off/Lara Dutta

Another Bangalore beauty?

Yes, these days they seem to win all the beauty pageants. quot;My sister Sheryl sent in my photographs. I was not sure if I wanted to be a model but I guess I was always a bit of a poser.quot;

So this poser must love all the fame and attention she is getting now?

quot;When people recognise me on the streets, I find it quite silly. I am not used to it yet.quot;

But she is determined to get used to it 8212; soon. These days, she seems to be in every second commercial, music video or press ad.

quot;Yes, I have really been concentrating on work, especially on commercial work. I believe that this is my time.quot; And it looks like that. Lara was in Udham Singh8217;s controversial Jat8217;s theway8216; pop video and more recently in the Saara zamana8216; remixed video. Siyaram8217;s and Bombay Dyeing campaigns are also part of her portfolio.

But why no ramp? Doesn8217;t she like the thrill of a live show?

quot;I am doing ramp and I love it 8212; it is so in your face. But I can do ramp even when I am slightly older.quot;

Does that mean she is looking at a long-term future in modelling?

quot;I would like to move out of modelling in a while, as it has both negative and positive points. But I do want to stay in the media, maybe media marketing.quot;

That8217;s a strange choice 8212; most models want to be actresses, model co-ordinators or ambassadresses?

She has a degree in Economics and wants to apply that to the media. quot;It is an industry I know and besides I like interacting with people.quot;

A people person? Does she have a lot of friends?

Moving from Bangalore was hard as she knew no one when she first shifted bag and baggage to Mumbai. Today, Lara counts Dino Morea, Kelly Dorji andSushma Reddy among her close friends.

>And what about that special someone?

Lara was seeing someone for three years but now it8217;s over. quot;That could be a reason why I am focusing more on work now.quot;

Does that mean she is going to rule out marriage?

quot;No. But I feel as though I need more time. You need to find yourself first before you find someone else.quot; Hmmm8230;. a mature 21 year old. quot;I guess being in the industry grows you up. I often feel as though I am 25 years old.quot;

She may feel old but her skin glows like a teenager8217;s. Other than sunscreen, what protects her skin from ageing?

quot;I always take my make-up off and stay clear of heavy make-up when I am not working.quot; Lara8217;s beauty secret is simple: quot;To always cleanse.quot;

Is her dressing up routine that simple too?

Lara looks to the West for western wear. With New York being her favourite destination.

And back home, her favourite designers are Wendell Rodericks and Shahab Durazi. quot;I like clothes that are cut well and madeof a good fabric.quot; She is fussy about clothes to the extent that as a model she works with clothes all the time.

Any other interests?

quot;I just love to travel. And I love to look at architecture and go to the theatre when I am abroad.quot;

Theatre does she say, would she like to act?

quot;I would like to try theatre but not now. I do not have the time for it.quot;

If she was looking for the time of her life though, where would it be?

quot;If I could live anywhere it would be Paris or New York. I would like to work in the PR division of a couture house or beauty company. And I would have to be fully involved with the product. I would not want to just shake people8217;s hands.quot;