Quintessential Diva
With numerous beauty pageants in her kitty, this talented millennial has thrived at whatever she laid her hands on.
Urvashi Rautela found her calling at a young age of 14. She reinforced her love for academics and beauty by pursuing pageants and later found her calling in the Bollywood industry. Being vocal about issues that she strongly believes in, she does not shy away from baring her soul. An epitome of elegance, Urvashi talks about her dedication and how she conquered her dreams. Edited excerpts.
Born in a small town in Uttarakhand and now peacefully nestled in the city of dreams, Mumbai. What is that one piece of memory that is etched in your mind from your childhood days?
I had a very disciplined childhood. I belong to a high academic family and everyone was really inclined in my studies. Since I was a science student, I used to wake up at 4:30 AM in the morning just to study. I was a national level basketball player and I have also played other sports such as volleyball, kho kho, long jump, high jump, javelin throw, and a few more. I have been a part of other co-curricular activities including dramatics, dancing, and everything creative.
You are the first and only woman to win the Miss Universe India crown twice and also the only actor to win the highest number of beauty titles in the entire history. How does it feel to achieve so much at such a young age?
Well, I think I still have a lot more to achieve. I would like to thank my parents and each and every person who believed in me and motivated me to achieve this position. I had never imagined in my life that I will be able to win so many titles and I am very grateful to God for the success. It was all a dream for me and I would tell everyone that dreams do come true, mine did. So, never stop dreaming. I did my first modelling when I was 14, I hardly attended parties and had to make a lot of sacrifices. But then, in the end, it was my hard work that paid off.
The trend is such that most of the beauty queens end up in the film industry after a successful stint in modelling. What do you think is the reason behind this?
I never participated in beauty pageants thinking of becoming a Bollywood actress. In fact, that was never a part of my plan. Actually, I was offered a film before I had even entered any of the pageants, and one after I won the Miss Universe title. But I kept it on hold because I really wanted to focus on pageants. I may have lost out on opportunities because of my decisions, but life is such you can’t do much about it. However, I have had no difference in my life and I don’t regret anything.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, a lot of men in the film industry were condemned. However, do you think trial by media is unfair and exaggerated sometimes?
No, it is definitely not exaggerated. I truly support all the women out there and am a firm believer in feminism. Not even for a single second, I thought that the media is portraying anything incorrectly. Kudos to the women for sharing their stories and coming out in the open and talking about such a sensitive topic. It is not a weakness, it is a sign of strength. So, I completely support the movement.
You are involved with various social movements and have also established your own foundation. What was your inspiration behind becoming a part of such noble causes?
Since childhood, I had a dream to make a foundation for helping people in need. While growing up, whenever I had to live without water or electricity, I used to feel very sad. But then after one point, I realised that there’s no need of being said, and I have to do something on my own. Moreover, after winning Miss Universe India, I had a very strong voice. So, with the help of my family, I established the Urvashi Rautela Foundation and many people collaborated with me.
If we have counted correctly, you are well-versed with close to seven dance forms. Where do you get the motivation to hustle like this?
My mother is a very graceful dancer and she always motivated me to keep learning. I know almost 15 different dance forms and I would say the credit goes to her.
You seem to be in a committed relationship with fitness, which you happily flaunt on your Instagram account. Tell us about your regimen and what excites you to take the road to fit life?
I love fitness and I think every person should love fitness. It is a way to life. I also strongly believe that it is also important to focus on mental fitness as well. I believe, you should be mentally fit, and then you can be physically fit. There should not be any baggage of past feelings, only then you can actually enjoy your life. I am working with John Abraham, who is such a big fitness enthusiast and truly motivates and inspires me.
When we talk about fitness, it is inevitable to talk about food. So, are you conscious eater or an absolute foodie?
I’m an absolute foodie, and I like to eat everything actually. I do avoid eating junk food. But yes, I like to experiment with different types of cuisines.
Do you enjoy being single, or are you someone who wants to be in a committed relationship?
Oh, I really don’t know about it. I am a very strong individual and I love my freedom. When the right person walks in, it will be truly magical. I’ve had so many relationship requests but that’s not my priority right now. I only want to focus on my work and I don’t want to get into a relationship. So, I am really enjoying being single.
Besides good looks, what is that one thing that is most important to you while looking for in a significant other?
Unconditional love. Not just for me, but it is very important for his or her partner that they love each other without any conditions. I think that is the basic foundation of a good relationship.
What’s a perfect date according to you? Any secret you’d like to share on how a guy can woo you without creeping you out?
For a perfect date, the guy has to be perfect, but in his own unique way. I would like a guy who can surprise me and be a gentleman. Someone like Shahrukh Khan perhaps. If you ask women, they don’t like someone who buys them diamonds, but someone who opens the door for them and very small minute things, which means a lot.
In your career, you haven’t been afraid to play bold roles. Is this a conscious decision you make or you work on insticnt?
Not really. I started out with Singh Sahib The Great where I played a shy Punjabi Indian girl and then in my second movie Sanam re I was offered to play a village girl or a socialite. I chose to play a socialite because I didn’t want to get typecast. It was not a conscious decision, but I wanted to try different genres, so I can not keep on doing similar roles again and again. Later in my third film Great Grand Masti I played the role of a ghost and in my fourth film, I played a supermodel. In my fifth film Paganpanti, I m playing a very girl next door. Thus, my decision is to be able to play different kinds of characters.
You were on the FHM cover back in 2018. After one full year, how much has the world changed for you?
It has changed a little bit, but I still feel there is a long way to go. I had the privilege of being featured in the FHM magazine two times before, and this is my third time. It feels really special. The first time I was the cover girl for FHM was for the Olympic issue in which we had a really crazy photoshoot. The second time around, it was a very different photoshoot as well and this time the feeling is the same. It is always a great experience for me because FHM is one of those magazines which will always be very special in my heart.
Tell us a little about your upcoming projects? What are you working on right now?
I am shooting for Anees Bazmee’s film named Pagalpanti. It is a light-hearted, comedy film and everyone from kids to adults will enjoy it to the core. I got the opportunity to work with John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Pulkit Samrat and so many other talented actors. I feel truly blessed.
Quick Favourites
- Emoji: The smiley face
- Book: Secret of Power
- Fashion designer: Aashish Studio
- Guilty pleasure: Eating lots and lots of desserts
- Reality show: Takeshi’s Castle
- Cuisine: Italian, Indian, and Mughlai
Take Your Pick
- Climb a mountain or jump from a plane? I’ve done both, but I would pick jump from a plane
- Polka dots or stripes? Stripes
- Nude lip colour or red lips? Nude, any day
- A morning person or a night owl? I’m a morning person
- Iced coffee or hot coffee? A mix of both
- Theme park or water park? Water park
- Hindi film industry or the pageant world? Hindi film industry
Rapid Fire
- If you could travel back in time, who would you like to meet? My grandfather
- How many push-ups can you do in a minute? 100 push-ups
- If you had a spirit animal, what would it be? Horse, it is my favourite animal
- Would you rather be able to speak every language or be able to read minds? Be able to read minds
- One actor or actress, you’re dying to share screen space with? I wanted to work with Sridevi, but unfortunately, I won’t be able to fulfil this dream. The other actor would be Amitabh Bachan.
- List two things you can’t live without. My family and my work
From the June 2019 issue of FHM India.
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