“Acting happened by chance...”

You were the showstopper for the collection by Sukriti & Akriti. Your thoughts on it.
Walking the ramp always gives a great feeling. I have been a part of IBFW before, and it has always been a pleasure for me to be the face and represent the fabulous artwork of the master minds behind it. Sukriti & Akriti are one of the most aesthetic designers the industry has and their designs and outfits really give a different aura altogether. The colour palates and various patterns add a lot of drama to the look and the final outcome is just magical. You can say I absolutely love the clothes and the fact that they are made from organic cotton. The fabric is so breathable and the garments are a delight to wear. So light and absolutely fuss-free! I hope I have been able to give equal justice to their imagination after donning it.
What is fashion to you and how has it helped you grow in your career?
Fashion is not only about wearing a nice glamourous outfit and posing for the paparazzi, but it is about how well you portray yourself while carrying those outfits. I feel inner beauty is what matters the most. Fashion has a lot to offer and it has given me a lot of perspective, changing my life completely. It inspired me to deliver something I had never thought of which was ‘Seams for Dreams' - the organisation which was incepted with a vision to turn dreams into reality and which also transformed me from an actress to a philanthropist.
Do you think fashion shows like this add an important value to your career?
Modelling was like a stepping stone for me. I started my career with it and it will always be very special and close to my heart. What I love the most about it is that these fashion shows offer experience and acknowledge a lot of creativity under one roof and you also get to learn and imbibe a lot from these ace designers. Experimenting with my clothes and opting for different kinds of styles, patterns and designs have always been my passion.
What was it that made you decide to choose acting as a career ?
Acting, as a career was not something I had planned for, it just clicked and happened, purely luck by chance. I had come to India to discover my Punjabi roots and happened to step into the glamour world. And now, after so many years in the industry when I look back, I feel that this is the best thing that ever happened to me and this is what makes me really happy. Everything looks very fancy from the outside in this industry, but there is a lot of effort that we put into the work we do and the love and support from the fans is what gives us a lot of inspiration to work harder and keeps us going.
Do you ever think you could have done a bit better in any particular role?
On camera, my main focus has always been to give my best shot. In every role that I have ever played, I have always tried to get into the skin of the character and feel it in me completely. I can't really judge my own performances as I leave it up to my fans to decide that for me. And even for my future projects, I plan to put my best foot forward, making everyone proud of my work.
Is it true that you have to change yourself in order to be accepted into the entertainment business?
Accepting stardom doesn't always mean letting yourself change but still it completely varies from person to person. The industry has been very kind to me. Although being an outsider the fraternity has welcomed me with open arms. In fact, I have made some really great friends and memories that I'll always cherish. I am really glad that I got the opportunity to work with some of the best directors and talented actors of the industry. And I look forward to be associated with the finest people even in the upcoming years.