Playing with bubbles as she swims through the waves, scuba diving, she is at her personal best. A huge fan of adventure sports, her next target is to overcome her fear of heights as she attempts sky diving. She started out pretty young in life and travelled a lot for her work. For her this has been a fruitful journey with various ups and downs and numerous lessons. She believes in absorbing the all the good there is in life and moving forward. Life is not about being low and reliving your mistakes, it is about taking the best of it all and seeing the good that life has offered.
She has been on the fashion scene for over eight years now and has been a popular face associated with a number of commercials and press shoots. Associated with MTV for a year, she has been a popular video jockey for a number of shows like MTV Stunt Mania, MTV Love Line and Style Check. The lady here has walked the ramp for almost every designers in the industry and is a popular face in the advertising industry doing commercials for Indian brands such as Bombay Dyeing and Tanishq.
She is the adventurous yet feminine beauty, Dipti Gujral, the soulful and sexy siren of the Indian fashion scene. Followed are excerpts from her interview:
Family and Academics…
I was born and brought up in Calcutta, so all my schooling is from there itself. I have travelled quiet a lot during my childhood. Right now my family is all over the place. My elder sister is in Germany, my brother is in Sri Lanka and my mother has recently moved in with me here in Bombay.
Parent’s reaction to your choice of modeling as a career…
My parents were not all that pleased when I started out, but I am a much sorted person. They saw my work and my firm belief and were always there to support me. In cases where I felt a little lost, I talked to my parents and my sister and solved it all. And I have moved on and achieved a lot all through these years.
First modeling assignment….
My first assignment was a commercial for Bombay Dyeing and their press advertisement. Personally I love doing commercials.
Greatest achievement till date…
Well, I’ll say that I have made a base for myself here in Bombay and sustained all these years in the industry is not a minor feat. I was recently nominated for the DNA style award and also for the Best commercial face of the year. I have done good work and have met up with a lot of fabulous and interesting people. The whole process of being and living in this industry has been an achievement in itself.
Idea of an ideal date
Well some good wine and dine, with a man of taste and a good sense of humor can make an ideal date, and while he is at it, he can also be pampering and treat me like a princess!!
When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing…
Oh! I’m a voracious reader. In my free time, I read, exercise and relax at home, I love to catch up with friends and have a good time. I am also movie buff and watch all kinds of movies, from thrillers to girly movies as long as they are interesting. I also watch documentaries, go for long walks and walk my dog!!
Essentials for a model to climb the ladder of success…
- Know where you are heading
- A good personality
- Have a head over your shoulders
- Create goodwill
- Groom your self well
Views on Indian vs. Western models…
Essentially it is not a difference of models, it is the interpretation of the designer and the kind of vision he has for his clothes. Both Indian and western models are fantastic. However, a western model might not be able to carry off a sari whereas an Indian model can carry out even western clothes.
Most touching moment of your life…Well, the most touching moment of my life was when I signed my first autograph. I was out when I saw two little girl 13-14 years of age fighting and arguing about something. Then they come up to and asked, “Are you Dipti?” they had a bet of an ice cream over it. It was inspiring and fun to see the enthusiasm in those little girls. However it was the recognition and the acceptance that touched my heart.
Quick snippets
FAVORITE FOOD: Sushi and Thai food
FAVORITE PERFUME: Channel
FAVORITE LINGERIE BRAND: Victoria Secrets and La Senza
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Valentino, Manish Malhotra, Gauri and Nainika
FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Greece
FAVOURITE MUSIC: oh! I listen to a lot of music, soul, jazz, old classics and everything else.
YOUR GREATEST FEAR: Darkness
YOUR PIECE OF ADVICE FOR UPCOMING MODELS: The industry is great, however you need to exercise patience and have faith in yourself. Be professional in our work and be thankful for all that you get and yes, always enjoy the work you do.
