Everybody needs an inspiration to go on living and leading a full life. Artists, more so. Ever wondered who inspires the gods to infuse the human form with beauty? We’d like to imagine it’s someone like our cover girl. Lads and gals, it’s time to welcome her back… As the maker’s muse.
People associated with the Indian film industry have to live with this ghost called ‘rumour’. What are the craziest, most absurd rumours you’ve heard about yourself?
The craziest one was that I had botoxed my forehead. My makeup artist told me that they thought I have a very flat forehead, so I’ve probably got my forehead botoxed. Why would I botox my damn forehead; I would botox something else (laughs). That was really bizarre. Also that I’ve had a jaw line done. What else have you heard?
We’ve heard that you were going out with Sudhir Mishra.
Oh yes, that should definitely go in as the most bizarre rumour. This may sound like a cliché but for me he’s far too respectful to get him involved in something so bizarre.
What is that one aspect of your personality that you love?
It’s a love and hate thing about my personality. I am very passionate about everything I do or say. Even if it’s a drawing room discussion I get too passionately involved. One attitude that I just hate is humko kya farak padta hai. So, even if it’s about politics or anything else, I get involved too much. Sometimes this becomes a disadvantage. But that’s who I am, very passionate and emotional. And I’d like to keep it that way. It’s nice to be vulnerable. The more I see and meet people, the more my belief strengthens that it’s OK to be vulnerable. Sometimes you have to be strong enough to be vulnerable, otherwise it’s easy to shut things around yourself.
How about physical attributes?
I get told a lot that my eyes and skin colour stand out (smiles).
I get told a lot that my eyes and skin colour stand out
What do you do for anger management?
I usually have these long conversations with myself in front of the bathroom mirror. Not staring at myself and thinking stuff in my head; it’s always a loud conversation. Sometimes you end up saying very smart things when you’re talking to yourself in the mirror, and that helps.
What are you favourite cuss words?
It used to be the F word but now I have mellowed it down to frickin’. It’s frickin’ this and frickin’ that. No Hindi words that I use.
Audition for an Anurag Kashyap movie next probably, where you can get a vocab updation in Hindi cuss words.
Hahaha… It doesn’t come naturally to me.
Do you have a tattoo? What’s your take on body art in general?
I don’t like tattoos. It’s a very personal thing. I just don’t like the idea of having anything on me which I can never take off. More than that I haven’t found anything that I believe in so much, which I may want on me.
More than that I haven’t found anything that I believe in so much, which I may want on me.
What’s your favourite drink? Alcoholic and non alcoholic.
I like a good white wine. Usually a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. Other than that I love cold coffee. It’s like an imperative twice a day. I’ve grown up on cold coffee.
Are you a foodie?
Nope. Boring… Though I love Thai food. But I’m not somebody who experiments with food. I play very safe with my food, I order the same things every time.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done when drunk?
(Laughs). This was in London. I walked in a loo and it was already taken, so of course it was tough finding a seat (laughs). It was crazy. Then, I’ve been in a cab where I kept slipping on the seat and finally was on the floor by the time I reached my hotel. Then I remember coming back to my room and waking up in the morning to find one shoe in the bathroom and one shoe on, the lamp off the table. I thought there was a bear in my room, and then I realised it was me who had done this to the room in the night (laughs).
What are the five things that men should do to get your attention?
Don’t try and get the attention. The right amount of confidence. Over confidence is worse than having no confidence. Be funny and witty. I think if a guy’s sporty that says a lot about him. If you’re a sportsman, or have played some sport in your life… that’s more exciting. If someone starts off a conversation with, “Hey you know I go surfing in Australia,” then of course I’d be like, “Tell me all about it.” (laughs). ‘
If you’re a sportsman, or have played some sport in your life… that’s more exciting.
Five things that turn you off?
Bad pair of shoes. There’s something very weird about too long or pointed shoes (laughs). Body odour. Overconfidence. Also, somebody who shows off his money. Basically a show off of any kind. That’s about it. Women don’t want much (laughs). And ya, the right fitting jeans that are not falling off your butt.
Both these likes and dislikes give it up that you’re from an army background. The hatred for baggy jeans, and all…
No, the reason why I said that is because a lot of times the baggy jeans come with a very pretentious attitude. I don’t have anything against baggy jeans. But most of the time they watch it in some TV series, figure out it’s just cool to do it… and put them on. I think when your attitude is your own, that’s the biggest turn on.
Is there a phobia or fear that you’d like to conquer?
I’m scared of not having the people who I love and care about around me when I need them. Other than that… Bungee jumping, may be. I’ve jumped off an aircraft but I don’t think I can ever do bungee jumping. I have a feeling that it may turn out to be something like a whiplash. Imagine hanging there, dead. It would be horrible (laughs).
Are you more of an outdoor person or indoor? What kind of activities do you enjoy the most?
Bit of both. But more of an outdoor person than indoor, now that I think about it.
But more of an outdoor person than indoor, now that I think about it.
Any hobbies?
I do sketching with charcoal. Other than that I’ve been on treks and fishing sprees that I really enjoyed. I did Scuba diving and I really enjoyed it too the couple of times I did it.
What is the most flattering compliment you’ve ever received?
It’s a very old compliment that a director gave me when he saw my first film. He said, “You are rare.” And it’s just the way he said it that made all the difference. That was the only line he said. He worked with Smita Patil a lot, and was so moved with my performance that he couldn’t say anything.
What do you think of when you hear the following words:
- Books – time consuming
- Chihuahua – frivolous
- Jam – morning school tiffin (laughs)
- James Blunt – too sweet to like
- Spanking – kinky (laughs). Still not initiated (laughs)
He worked with Smita Patil a lot, and was so moved with my performance that he couldn’t say anything.
