Kochi, here comes the fashion week and preparations seem to have begun in right earnest. This past weekend auditions for models for the Kochi International Fashion Week were held. The fashion week is scheduled to be held in July. Among the panel of judges was Priyanka Shah. She is a former Pantaloons Femina Miss India Tourism (2007); she also won Channel V's ‘Get Gorgeous II' (2005) and Miss Tourism World (2007). As far as the beauty biz goes she has been there and done that.
A veteran of beauty contests and reality shows (she was on Shahrukh Khan's ‘Zor Ka Jhatka…' as a celebrity contestant), Priyanka knows a thing or two about being judged and probably which is why she empathises with those on the ‘other side.' Being a judge and being judged are two entirely different things, she says and adds that she prefers the side she is on and ‘not being judged'. It takes a lot of courage to put oneself out there in front of perfect strangers who are probably going to make you feel like there's nothing right about you. “I remember what it is like being on the other side…but it all boils down to how one handles it and putting your best foot forward.”
Priyanka belongs to that tribe of pageant winners which takes its education seriously. She is a mechanical engineer, but that is another aspect to her. The glamour industry as the fashion/film industry is collectively referred to was her choice because it is her ‘passion.' She is acting in a film about which she ‘is not permitted to reveal too much'. But she has already acted in a Tamil film ‘Kalla Kadhalan'. She is pragmatic in her approach to the glamour business, and agrees that as far as women actors go they (generally) come with a very limited shelf life unless extraordinarily talented.
Since she is a qualified professional, does she believe that education is a must for this profession? “One should be educated, but that holds good for everybody, not just actors. I don't think it is absolutely necessary that an actor should be educated and have that as a backup before taking a plunge into the glamour industry. There are actors/models who may not be too educated but have done well or are doing very well and vice versa.” She, however, believes that an education is necessary so that people would be more aware about what they are getting into, “that is not just for this field. Every profession has its pitfalls and traps.”
When Priyanka says that she was the captain of the Indian women's netball team, one can't help but do a double take. She is the tomboy that became a beauty queen. Fitness is another ‘passion' and the other interest for this certified Pilate trainer. In her spare time that is what she indulges in, she says.
She is familiar with the modelling/fashion industry in Mumbai and Delhi.
So what is her take on this fledgling cottage industry in Kerala? Lack of exposure is one big minus point, says Priyanka. We have our Joey Mathew, Nina Manuel, Laxmi Menon etc… But the models that she got to see were lacking in exposure, understandably so as opposed to their counterparts in Mumbai, Delhi etc. “But they are all good.”
Since Priyanka, seemingly, has all the right and diplomatic answers it is very tempting to pose that one question any beauty pageant winner worth her sash and tiara dreads… “How old are you?”. Her answer is a ready “Eighteen till I die!” thank god for Bryan Adams. And she has been 18 for sometime now.
