You are the showstopper at Blenders Pride Fashion Nights in Pune this year, could you tell us about your association with them? How does it feel to represent the city?
I feel absolutely amazing being in Pune today. The Blenders Pride Fashion Night is something I have been looking forward to. We have been talking about this for a while and it is finally happening, especially after the last couple of years where on ground events haven’t happened as much. I don’t know about the others, I can speak for myself, I am really looking forward to this and I am very excited to be here today. I am very excited about Ka-Sha, and I think she has done a fantastic job with my outfit. So more than anything else I can’t wait to flaunt it!
What made you associate with designer Karishma Shahani Khan and what are your thoughts about her brand, Ka Sha?
Of course the first time I had seen their inquiry when they shared their profile with me, I looked at her collection and thought “Oh, no one has even done something like this with me!” Because it’s always that the girl next door is cute and pretty, and it’s always fun. Great, I enjoy that part of my life too, but I have always wanted to experiment even with my own style. It has given me the confidence that I can pull off something outside of my comfort zone, and this can really easily become my comfort zone. So I really enjoyed looking at her collections and today, after I tried my outfit for the first time, I felt so comfortable and so happy in it, I was twirling around! It allows me to be the girl I really am, and presents me in an all-new package, which is what I love the most about it.
This edition of Blenders Pride Fashion Nights supports local talent in each city. How important do you think this is in today’s day and age?
I think it is extremely important! Not everyone gets an opportunity that easily. I can speak from my own experience. I’ve had to work really hard to get where I am today. Hopefully things will be easier in the future. What I don’t understand is that….You know it takes one person to find real talent. I don’t want to name any designer but just that she could be the next big thing! Every local talent is looking for an opportunity like that. I always believe that from an actor’s perspective when a director says, “I don’t think you fit the role”, I think the actor always turns around, at least I do and say “Fair enough, you are entitled to have an opinion, but I deserve an equal opportunity so please allow me to audition. It is as simple as that.”
And when you do give people an opportunity to showcase their talent, you don’t just give them that but also confidence, to come out there and explore something that they thought was never possible. It gives me hope and I am hoping I’ll see a lot more talent in the future and I’m looking forward to everything Blenders Pride Fashion Nights will do this year.
What do you think of Pune as a venue for the show?
Oh absolutely amazing! Best weather, amazing people, great hospitality. I love the greenery I see outside my room and the greenery on the way. I think it’s one of the most amazing cities in the country
today. They have great infrastructure, they have great people and nightlife, they have good education. I like that they are not in a hurry, they are laid back but perfectly so.
What is your personal style statement?
Very very comfortable. Extremely comfortable and extremely casual.
What does fashion mean to you?
Comfort. And it should make me smile looking at myself in the mirror. I leave the room with a smile and it should make me feel like doing so.
In terms of your film projects, what’s next for you?
A: Well, when it’s announced, I would want the world to read about it then. I am hoping and praying that it happens soon. I am looking forward to it and I hope the rest of you are too!
