How did you shed
your shyness and go in for a bikini shoot?
I felt that I
was in a good shape. I had worked hard on my body for the past 3 months. My
trainer is a beast and he really helped me in the process.
On my 25th birthday
I realised that I am finally comfortable with my own self and when someone is
comfortable with his/her self, his/her beauty is only enhanced. No matter what
you wear but if you carry it off with confidence, it won't look vulgar on
you.
I think you will
like the pictures when you see them because they are classy.
I have seen
them, but tell me what was your parents' reaction towards your bold avatar?
I still remember
that when I told my parents that I want to give a bikini photo shoot a shot,
they said that a bikini looks classy on actresses such as Deepika Padukone and
Priyanka Chopra because they maintain their bodies. Aisa nahin lagna chahiye ki
aapne apni body maintain nahin ki hai aur aise hi pehen li bikini...
Go on...
And if you are
to look at the social media accounts of today's young girls, everyone is
wearing bikinis. So it’s a not big deal to wear a bikini, but it’s important to
carry it off gracefully.
So you spoke to
your mother and father, and hit the gym?
(Laughs) Yes.
Both my parents told me that if I wanted to do it, I needed to get into shape.
Also, now they trust me enough to know that I can differentiate between right
and wrong. They have always been there for me and helped me with everything. In
fact whenever I go to my hometown in Varanasi...
Sorry to
interrupt you but Varanasi will be traumatised when they see your bikini
pics...
Really? I don’t
think so.
Have you worn a
bikini before, say on a holiday abroad?
Yes, but sabke
saamne yehi pehli baar hai. Besides, I never felt confident donning one then.
So obviously, I didn't put out those pictures on social media. And let me tell
you why I didn't feel confident -- simply because I wasn't in a great shape
then.
You'll now have
your fair share of fans and detractors...
Why will people
hate me? Besides, isn't hate the first stepping stone of love?
Are you on a
particular diet?
Yes, and thanks
to it and my regular workouts, I have toned my body. I marvel at how well
Shilpa Shetty's has maintained her body. Doesn't she have an amazing figure?
Woh kuch bhi pehen le, but she looks sexy.
Coming to your
question specifically, I started having a lot of egg whites with grilled
chicken. I think I have a sweet tooth for rotis, which I cannot quit. At times,
I cheat, but then I am honest about it with my trainer and the next day with
him is comparatively tougher.
Where does your
sex appeal lie?
My personality
is attractive. To get specific again, people say that I have long legs which
look very nice.
And then?
I feel shy and
thank them, what else!
How did the
bikini shoot offer come along?
They wanted a
Bollywood actress for cover, and one of my friends happened to speak to them
casually about me. They reverted saying that they were open to having a TV
actress. They weren't one of those who think that TV actress mein woh
baat nahin hoti hai jo Bollywood actress mein hoti hai. I decided to give it a
shot.
People have seen
me as a bahu, princess... so why should I leave this aspect of mine? An actress
comes as a package, doesn't she?
How bold can you go if you get a Bollywood offer?
It would depend
on the kind of project. If my role has substance, I don't mind getting into a
bikini. But I won't wear one and just stand in the frame doing nothing.
What's next?
I want to do a
lead role in a TV show.
The interview
will be incomplete if we don't dwell upon the content on Indian television
today. You usually don't get TRPs if you try something different.
Look, let's face
it. The ratings will always come from housewives, whether you like it or not,
which is why most production houses are supplying exactly what the ladies want.
It is easy to complain that the youth is not watching TV, but does the youth have
time from their gadgets and parties?
Are you dating
someone?
No, but I need a
guy who really understands me. I am a very clear person, and I would like to
know a guy well before I settle into matrimony with him.
You shoot with
good-looking men. Never got attracted?
I don't find any
man in the TV industry handsome. When I work in Bollywood, I think there'll
definitely be lot of men around especially Hrithik. He is so--o--o
handsome. I have a crush on him. Recently, I saw him at an event and
couldn't take my eyes off him.