Q: What makes you love yourself?
I don’t need a reason to love myself. I just do.
Q: What does love mean to you?
For me, love is anything that empowers you. Something that helps you grow.
Q: How was your experience shooting for GG?
It was absolutely surreal. Period. I can’t thank Gaurav Gupta sir and his entire team for making me feel so comfortable.
Q: How did you feel wearing these outfits?
It was a privilege wearing his clothes. I felt like royalty.
Q: You managed to channelize your identity in your field of work gracefully. Was it difficult or were you able to initiate that process smoothly? Was the industry accepting?
Firstly, thank you for saying that.
No it wasn’t difficult because this is how I function in general, I try my best to remain true to my identity. And it hasn’t been difficult to initiate that process because luckily, I was and I am surrounded by people who are very supportive of me and my identity. Whether it’s my amazing agency or Gaurav Gupta sir and his team.
Q: Did you face any challenges initially? Did you face any kind of discrimination?
No.
Q: Did you experience body image issues due to the conventional and unrealistic beauty standards upheld by the media?
Yes, I did. Initially I was asked to lose weight from another agency because I don’t have an ideal model body. Although I understand my job requires me to look a certain way, it was initially demotivating, and I did struggle with body image issues.
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration?
It would be a tie between Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and my father.
Q: What motivated you to choose this line of work? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Well I think I’m good in front of the camera. But what motivated me the most is the lack of representation. We need more relatable people in the industry. More representation. More diversity. More inclusivity. And I cannot stress this enough. I don’t want young girls and boys thinking they’re not good enough or pretty enough because their waist isn’t 20 something or because they have normal bodies. And yes, we have amazing people in the industry who are making a change but we’re not there yet. And I want to do my part as well.
In 10 years from now, I see myself wearing a Gaurav Gupta dress to one my movie premieres.
Q: At home, do you think you were ever treated differently? How did your family/loved ones treat you when you were growing up?
No, because my vitiligo and my body size was very irrelevant.
Q: Do you have a message or a piece of advice for young girls who might still feel insecure about the way they look?
I would like to tell both boys and girls this – hold on to your definition of beauty and don’t let anyone change that.
