Face-off with Nayanika Chatterjee

But didn8217;t Noyonika try her hands at setting up a new venture before?
Yes, she joined Anupam Kher8217;s Media Entertainment Company and formed a company called Celeb International. quot;The aim was to organise and manage celebrities as well as look out for new talent. But the industry was not geared for something like this, so after two years, we decided to close shop.quot;

Did she give up modelling then?
quot;I did cut down on assignments and I actually really missed it.quot;

So why has she decided to give up modelling now?
quot;This was a great opportunity. And besides, modelling is not something you can do forever. I probably would have retired anyway in the next couple of years.quot; And it8217;s not like Noyonika will be out of modelling altogether, as B4U has a tie-up with an international modelling agency and Noyonika will be on the look-out for new faces from India to take part in the Metropolitan Agency Top model contest.

Most other former models turn to fashion show chorography or acting, so why has Noyonika stayed away from these two traditional fields?
quot;Choreography was not for me. I have done a couple of shows for friends and they did not interest me. As for films, I am a very realistic person and I realise I don8217;t have the right looks for commercial cinema. I did think of getting involved in some offbeat projects, but unfortunately none of them ever materialised because of finance. I would certainly like to act in a film once.quot;

What about ad-films? She seems to have stayed away from that too?
Yes, Noyonika has not appeared in too many commercials, but that8217;s not out of choice. quot;Actually, there is a lot of money in advertising. But when I started, no one wanted to cast girls with dark skin. Even though India is a country of dark people, everyone still aspires to be fair. Nowadays though, I think it8217;s easier for girls with unconventional looks to be seen in commercials as many high-end beauty products have entered the market and they do not mind using darker girls.

And how does she feel the modelling industry has changed in the last 12 years?
quot;It has become much more professional. We used to rehearse for days before a show. Now we often start work on the day of the show.quot; Noyonika also feels that people8217;s attuide to the industry has changed drastically. quot;Earlier, modelling used to be looked down upon, but now every young girl wants to grow up and be a model.quot;

So what advice does she have for aspiring models?
quot;That they should not carried away. It is a very glamorous industry, but it is very important to remain level-headed if they are going to make a career out of modelling.quot;

Did anyone help Noyonika out when she started?
quot;Anna Bredymeyer was really sweet to me. She would tell me what to do, and even took me to a skin specialist when I had a problem with my skin.quot; Now, Noyonika too tries to help newcomers. quot;I tell the new girls what they are doing wrong and am happy to give advice to anyone who is interested.quot;

And who would she rate as a good model?
quot;Mehr Jesia. She knew how to flaunt clothes.quot;

And does she think that India will have their own homegrown international supermodel soon?
quot;I hope so. But they need to start young if they want to make an impact abroad. The problem is that Indian girls are too family-oriented. We are very protected by our parents, and so we mature a lot later than girls abroad.quot;

Okay enough about modelling, what are Noyonika8217;s other interests?
Well, she is very interested in pottery and has even been to Pondicherry to learn about ceramics. quot;That8217;s my ultimate dream, to be a potter.quot;

So why not take up pottery now that she has stepped away from the catwalk?
quot;I can do that later. There is no age limit to when you can make pottery. But this is my time to be in the fashion industry. The B4U offer came at the right time in my career.

And finally, wasn8217;t there some talk of her getting married over a year ago?
quot;Yes. But it was delayed as my fiance fell sick. We have been seeing each other for 12 years now and have just become complacent about setting another date.quot;