Diandra Soares

At the early age of 13, Diandra Soares had made up her mind about being a model. The inspiration came in the form of India's Madhu Sapre who stood fifth at the Miss Universe pageant. Her honest and straightforward answers in the pageant impressed Diandra and she decided that she wanted to be up there. Diandra's close resemblance to Madhu, in terms of her looks and candour, was another encouraging factor for her to make it in the glamour world.

During her childhood years, Diandra was abnormally tall for her age and her family always joked that she should become a model. Little did they know that this dark, tall and rather awkward-looking girl would be a rage in Indian modelling industry. However, Diandra has only her parents to thank for the success that she has seen. They were a 'no-problem' couple and in fact, helped her in whatever she wanted to do, let alone oppose it.

Her entry into the modelling world was marked by her triumph as Miss Bombay '95. Thereafter, she got her first ad film in Dinesh Suitings. James Ferreira who did her outfits was impressed by this dusky beauty and recommended her to choreographers Sangeeta Chopra and Lubna Adams. Soon, Diandra made her way to the most prestigious ramp shows in town.

By 18, she was a well-known model. Diandra contested in the Femina Miss India. Though she failed to bag the crown, she won the coveted title of Miss Beautiful Skin. She explains: "Femina was keen on promoting newer faces. Since I was already established, I perhaps couldn't make it to the top." Her answer in the final round was honest and curt. She was probably written off for her candid quotes just as it happened to her idol, Madhu Sapre.

Her modelling work includes commercials for products like Tips and Toes, VIP underwear, Tillsbury whiskey and music videos for Ila Arun (Kichdi), Jalwa, Jadoo and Bali Bramhabhatt's remix album.

When she started, Diandra was well known for her ringleted locks. But now, she is recognised more as a model who had shaved off completely. This bold, bald move by Diandra a couple of years ago put her in the spotlight.

Was this just a publicity stunt? "No way, " she retorts to say, "It's something that I always wanted to try out. I didn't do so for grabbing media attention or more assignments." She merely wanted to know what it feels like to be bald and recommends that one should have the experience of baldness at least once in a lifetime. She exclaims: "The sensation is amazing."

Her friends laughed off when she talked about going bald. But she stuck to her word. She took this step while holidaying in Goa. Reliving the glorious moments of her bald days, she says, "That feeling of the breeze flying past your clean head, water flowing down without being blocked by hair and sand trickling down your head smoothly is magical."

Though the stint won her fame, she did not gain much out of it. "In fact, I lost out on several Delhi ramp shows," she says," The audience there would not accept a bald model." After turning bald, Diandra did some unconventional ramp assignments. She stayed that way for a year and gave up on her bald look last November.

Diandra has some big plans for the future, including modelling opportunities abroad, London to be precise. Why London? "Because in London, different and unconventional faces are more in demand than anywhere else," she explains.

Diandra's motto is to retain her identity and make her presence her felt wherever she goes. She wants to stand out in the crowd and to acquire a new look every season. According to her, that's what a model is all about. Being different, and versatile! Someone who can look good in any outfit. Being a trendsetter and someone who can look good in any outfit. This is Diana Soares for you.

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Jesse Randhawa

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Tupur Chatterjee &Tapur Chatterjee

Granddaughters of Late Hrishikesh Mukherjee who passed away yesterday. Easily one of india's best directors with movies like anand, golmaal, chupkechupke, satyakam, etc

Tupur Chatterjee &Tapur Chatterjee

Indian Supermodel Gauhar Khan

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Gauhar has a telly acting elder sis called nigar khan, look really similar

Sheetal Seth

Indian Actress Sheetal Seth

Sheetal Malhar

She is dusky, lithe and has onein-a-million smile. This Helen, if she can be called so, can launch a thousand ships too. That's Sheetal Malhar, the stunner who is creating ripples in the fashion world.

Agreeing that being fair has an advantage with Indian clients, Sheetal says that she has "learnt to accept" the fact that when it comes to advertising beauty products the fair skin will win the show. "This, however, is not an issue in the West," she adds.

Not one to mince words, Sheetal agrees that having the international tag definitely has its share of advantages. "Initially, it does help one get work. But from then on, it is how you work that makes all the difference," Sheetal gives the facts straight on your face.

At a time when models are making a bee-line for Bollywood, here is one headstrong girl who wants to keep away from the industry. "I am still not interested in it. I don't think there are any nice projects. I can give Bollywood a thought only if the offer is fabulous and the film is good," Sheetal clarifies all doubts.

She, however, gets a trifle irritated when you question her about the Kabhie Bhi Kahin Bhi venture. "It was never released," she puts an end to any further queries in that direction.

Is it a trifle exhausting having to look good all the time, we wonder. "It is," Sheetal confesses without much ado.

"The next career I choose will be something which has nothing to do with looks," she quips. Sheetal, however, has not restricted herself to the ramp. She is an avid animal lover and has done a campaign for PETA.

"There have been countless occasions when I have brought strays to my friends' homes. I love dogs," she puts in adding that even her brother and sister share her pet passion. Now that's what we call being truly warm hearted!

This ramp model gets fiercely defensive when asked about her personal life. "I would not like to take any questions on that. I don't like to disclose my personal life," Sheetal signs off.

Amrita Rao

Amrita Rao
Philosophy of life: Life is short and sweet, so make others happy and never let anyone down.

Viveka Babajee

Take it...take it!... Take it kung ano man ang sinabi ni Areeya! Kakainis kayo! Sumbong ko kayo mamaya ke Tita Annabelle! Kamukha lang sya ni Ruffa pero ako ang favorite ni Ruffa!" -Viveka Babajee (Miss Mauritius)

Yeah if viveka says that it must be true, whatever that means.

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Fleur Xavier Photo

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Fleur Xavier, model: I dislike (hate is a strong word for me) the current President of the United States. He is not a thinking person -- he is a puppet in the hands of industrialists and other bigwigs who are supporting him, and he seems to have lost his conscience. The world is leaning towards greed, money, power and ego, and missing out on morality, kindness, humanity and living in harmony with the environment -- all of which are needed for the world to continue.

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B4U VJ Shamita

B4U VJ & Model Shamita Singha

Exclusive Interview With B4U Music VJ Shamita Singha

Most people recognise Shamita Singha from her days as Miss India Earth 2001 and walks down the runway. But before Shamita dove head first into the world of professional modelling, she was already an accomplished animal rights activist and outspoken vegetarian. Now a popular host on B4U Music, Shamita continues her work in behalf of animals and agreed to sit down with petaDishoom to talk about how she makes compassion a part of her everyday life.

How long have you been vegetarian, and why did you make the switch?
I turned vegetarian when I was quite young because I realised that if I really love animals, then I can’t eat them – and I was not very fond of meat even before, as it’s not fresh. It’s dead, and you don’t want to eat something which is dead, as it is not healthy and not good for your body. So, I somehow realised that 12 years ago. And since then, I have been promoting vegetarianism.

Does being vegetarian help you keep your body fit in the competitive modelling field?
People are always asking me, “How do you maintain yourself, and how are you glowing all the time, happy and energetic all the time, with such hectic work hours?” So I tell them that firstly, I’m a veg and so I eat a lot of veggies, salads and fruits, and those foods are alive, so I’m alive! And in terms of working out, I get all my energy from my veggies and fresh stuff.

Do you wear leather?
I don’t wear leather at all. I wear the false leather Rexene. And I always make sure all my shoes and bags are non-leather, because the way leather is made is horrible. I don’t even do fashion shows which use leather in them. Also, if my stylist gets me anything in leather, I refuse to wear it, so I don’t associate with that at all.

Tell us some incidents in which you have helped an animal.
I have been associated with many animal organisations – long before I got into modelling – so I have done many rescues and animal raids. I have rescued birds in cages. My favourite is rescuing snakes from snake charmers. Initially, I was scared of snakes, but later I realised that they are so harmless and such lazy animals and so beautiful, especially when you feel them in your hands. Also, I’m a member of the Animal Welfare Board of India, and to get that membership, you need to go through this course where you learn first aid for animals like horses, dogs and cats. I have also rescued a lot of stray kittens.

What is your message to young people who are just learning about animal rights?
No matter where you live – even in a crazy city like Mumbai – you can always be kind to animals. In your everyday life, try not to eat meat; try to live on vegetarian food. Trust me; try it for only two months – there are a lot of options, and it is more healthy and tasty. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to eat meat ever again. Secondly, if you ever see an animal in distress on the road, try to help; contact any animal welfare group that will come to do a rescue, or you can do it yourself. First aid is very simple. Like you would give first aid to a child at home who falls and is cut or wounded, you can give first aid to an animal in the same way.
And just remember that you share the planet with animals – it is not for us only. Since we share the world with them, be a little compassionate; be a little kind to them and help them. If there is a lost puppy or kitten, try to find a home so that the animal is safe. Just be kind to animals – they are always kind to us, so we should be kind to them.

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