Crowning Glory

Who’s She?

• Name: Lopamudra Raut
• Date of birth: 7 October
• Place of birth: Nagpur, Maharashtra
• Height: 5 ft 8 in
• Zodiac Sign: Libra
• Profession: Model and Actress

A beauty queen in the day and age of heroines. A survivor in the times of difficulties. Lopamudra Raut is a household name today, thanks to her stint on popular reality television shows, but the former pageant winners accomplishments were off a complete different dimension initially. This electrical engineer from Nagpur first turned heads when she represented India at a beauty pageant and was crowned second runner up in 2016. The audiences were swooned by her chiseled legs and tan glow when their eyes struck on her on television. But before Lopamudra could move on to achieving another feat, destiny drove her inside the Bigg Boss house, leaving her to fight for survival in a place with 15 strangers.

As expected she came out strong, bold and fierce who took her stand for what is right and condemned delinquency. As we catch a glimpse of this beauty with brains, she dazzles in front of the camera and chats with us candidly about her desires, fantasies and her fitness mantra.

Read FHM India in the digital libraryEvery issue, every shoot, on TCG Media.

What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory?

My childhood’s most embarrassing memory was, whenever I would be in front of a camera and my father would click a picture of mine, I would begin behaving like monkeys. Even today when I flip through my photo albums, I keep on thinking why did I ever do that? What was I thinking? It is indeed hilarious.

How did the switch from electrical engineering to modeling come about?

While pursuing my electrical engineering, I used to get a lot of compliments from people. A lot of my friends and senior members from the industry who are choreographers had recommended that I should try out for Miss India. They said you have a good body and a pretty face, but somehow it never came from within.

I was always told my other people that you can do better than engineering and that you are worth it. And that positive energy made me feel special, after which I would stand in front of the mirror and think, you know, why not? Let me just give it a shot. Since so many people are saying that maybe I should try for Miss India. Or maybe I should try for pageants.

What was the most memorable moment of your Miss United Continents 2016 journey?

It was a beautiful journey for me. I made so many friends on the way. I had learnt Spanish for this pageant as we were traveling to Ecuador, which worked in my favour. Somehow we created a special bond amongst each other due to which we are in touch even today. I remember I had carried a lot of Indian jewellery which I gave to them.

There were girls participating from many countries and I gave each one of them those packages of Indian jewelry filled with traditional necklaces, anklets and earrings. And the joy on their faces was priceless.

You were an avid part of Khatron ke Khiladi 8. What was that most difficult stunt for you?

None of the stunts were easy and I had to push myself in every task. I used to be hydrophobic and, and they would always put me in water and in deep water and with my hands tied, my legs tied and I had to unlock myself. The pool was 12 meter deep. So I think that was the most of toughest one for me when I was like, dropped in a 12 meter deep pool and with my hands with my legs locked and I had to unlock myself.

I had to locks on my legs and I had to unlock it and swim all the way out. My keys got stuck and I couldn’t communicate nor did I want to give up. So I was just trying to raise my hand just in in order to ask for help. But they took me out of water thinking that I was going to die. I think that was the toughest task for me because I almost drowned.

What is the first thing you notice in a man?

Well, there are a few things that I notice in a man. He should be well dressed, well behaved, chivalrous and charming, as these aspects really intrigue me.

What would your outfit for a romantic date be?

I think it would be a nice sleek body con and dress. I love body con dresses so something pretty elegant and slightly sexy in either red or black.

The most sultry pickup line ever used on you?

There was a pickup line once used on me, which was quite cheesy. It was: “Oh, darling, you look like a Christmas present. I can’t wait to unwrap you.”

What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever done for you?

I wouldn’t say a weirdest thing, but I think the sweetest thing that a fan has done for me was, when I was in Delhi for an event a fan was aware that I was going to be there. So he reached the location, met me and gave me a collage of pictures.

And he gave me a framed currency note which had my date of birth, written on it. So basically the current sees number serial number was my exact date of birth, and I think that was the sweetest thing I have received.

What is your take on love, are you a hopeless romantic or more practical and pragmatic?

I myself am a very old school romantic individual and if I date somebody, I want this person to be a hopeless romantic too, as I believe in the idea of romance.

On what would you spend your hard earned money: clothes, accessories, perfumes, lingerie, or anything else?

I think I spend most of the money a car. After which I spend it on clothes, shoes, handbags and luxurious perfumes.

When Lopamudra unwinds, what does she indulge in?

I majorly indulge in shopping and then in eating a lot of food because I am a foodie. Though I do not have a sweet tooth but when I want to cheat I binge on my soul food which is chocolates, pastries and gelato.

If you could have one cheat day and eat anything without any consequences, what all would you indulge in?

This is not the right question to ask me because I would probably eat everything in the world.

But there would be a lot of chocolate chip cookies, chocolate truffles, pizzas and pani puri.

What projects you are currently working on?

I am not supposed to disclose the details about my next project as of yet. But we are through with filming it and I have completed my dubbing for the same. And I am waiting for it to release.

Quick Favourites

• Favourite Sport: Basketball
• Favourite Accessory: Handbags
• Favourite Holiday Destination: Italy
• Favourite Shopping Destination: Italy
• Favourite Cuisine: Chinese
• Favourite TV Show: I don’t really watch tv shows.

Rapid Fire

• What is your style mantra? I believe in not following trends blindly. Rather focusing on what suits one’s body type the best.
• How would someone get your special attention? When someone strikes an interesting conversation. It speaks volumes if the man is well spoken.
• Would you ever date a fan? I would not mind dating a fan.
• What’s your biggest pet peeve? Lies and when one makes noise with their cutlery while eating.
• What would be your super power? To be able to eat everything without putting on weight and travel the world within a snap.
• What would be a good theme song for your life? Bodak Yellow by Cardi B
• Lopamudra: the actor or the model? I am grateful for both aspects of my professional life.
• How would you describe the perfect kiss in 3 words? I am a little shy when it comes to such questions but I think love and a romantic destination might describe the perfect kiss.
• What’s the weirdest question you’ve been asked? Whenever I post “Ask me Anything” tags on Instagram, quite often there are people who ask me to post pictures of my feet. So I do not understand this foot fetish.

From the July 2019 issue of FHM India.