You can tell that Brinda Parekh is a rising star at first glance; hence it came as no surprise to me when someone introduced her as a model and actor. She is stunning — her dusky striking features take care of that, but her best attribute without a doubt is her warm personality enhanced by her playful nature.
First innings
Born and brought up in the tinsel town of Mumbai, the glam world being in the close vicinity must have been the initial impetus for this talented beauty. Conversing with her over wine and some scrumptious food revealed more. “Modelling was never an etched out move for me, it just happened. At 16, I read an ad in the newspaper about ‘Sheetal Haute Spot' a model hunt by Sheetal. I gave it a shot, and was among the winning models who got a portfolio shot by Atul Kasbekar. This incidentally served as my first portfolio ever. I subsequently forwarded the same to modelling agencies and landed ad assignments/ music videos; my innings began.”
Brinda describes her journey which has been hard but worth it every step of the way, “I started my modelling career playing the lead in TV commercials for Vimal Suitings, Microsoft Windows XP, Anchor Switches, VIP Frenchie, Kit Kat, Thums Up, Polo Mint, Royal Challenge Beer, Amul Macho Vests etc., to name a few which was exciting till it lasted but I naturally wanted to move on to bigger things. That's when my stint with music videos happened which was perfect since it combined both my passions; modelling and dancing.”
Brinda has appeared in a lot of music videos for prominent artists like Mika, Bhupi, Nitin Bali, Raghav Sacchar and for the ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati – 2' video with Shah Rukh Khan. Along with all this Brinda also dabbled with the ramp for selective designer friends.
It was only a matter of time before Tollywood beckoned and Brinda swayed southward, “The southern film industry is a great place to work and I'm lucky that I got the opportunity to work with so many Tollywood stars right in the beginning of my career. I have portrayed an important role in the Tamil blockbuster ‘Pokkiri' and have shot a song for the movie ‘Polladhavan'. I am also just wrapping up the shoot for a Tamil movie with Madhavan and have also played the lead in two Kannada movies!” Phew that's quite an impressive list she has going.
Constantly learning
On asking her to compare Bollywood and Tollywood she's quite the diplomat. “Tollywood really left a remarkable impression on me. I had gone there with absolutely no preconceived notions and it has been the most pleasant experience all the way. I have had the good fortune of working with some of the most professional southern superstars, and their qualities like punctuality and discipline never cease to impress me.”
Brinda has also managed to bite off a piece of the Bollywood pie meanwhile, “I have played a cameo in the movie ‘Corporate' and it was super because I got to work alongside Bipasha whom I look up to.” “London Dreams” is her big call of fame and she chirpily talks about her experience of working with two of Bollywoods biggies Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan “It was a fantastic experience to rub shoulders with stars I had admired deeply off screen all this while. All of my co-stars have been so down-to-earth and never treated me like a mere debutante. I think It's this attitude of theirs that sets them apart.”
Brinda is now waiting for her golden moment to shine on the big screen in a prominent lead role in Bollywood, “Discussions are on with regards to lot of projects, but I want to make sure I pick the right one” she signs off.
... I'm lucky that I got the opportunity to work with so many Tollywood stars right in the beginning of my career.
