What inspired you to participate in a beauty pageant?
It was the new millenium and we were all soaking in the glory of Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra winning the crowns of Miss Universe and Miss World. I was fascinated too. I read Priyanka’s interview in the newspaper when she had won the crown and that interview left a mark on me. So, after I completed my education, I moved to Bangalore to work as a software engineer. That time I saw an ad about Miss India pageant in the Times of India newspaper and something inside pushed me to think about it.
How did your family react when you told them that you want to participate in a beauty pageant?
Since I had a full time job, they were quite apprehensive. But when I started showing how serious I was about it, they realized it was a serious goal that I wanted to achieve. I focused completely on grooming myself, attended workshops and showed results to my parents.
You are an engineer!
Yes, I’m a software engineer and I was working in Capgemini for three years in Bangalore. But I had started getting a few modeling and acting projects in Mumbai as well. So I had to do to and fro between Bangalore and Mumbai. Though it was hectic, I completely enjoyed it as I was so passionate about exploring my career in acting.
How was life like after the pageant?
Pageant definitely gave me a good platform and people started recognizing me. After Miss Diva, the opportunities that came across were really good but I wanted to focus majorly on building an acting career. And so, I started giving auditions and those made me realize that I loved acting. It was quite a revelation for me as well. So it definitely helped me in making that first knock at the doors of this fascinating world of entertainment.
Is there a ‘memorable audition’ story you would like to share?
Oh yes, I do remember the one that was for a period drama. It was very different and challenging because there was a certain way the characters had to walk or talk. I took two days to prepare for that character and it became close to my heart because it resonated with me a lot. It was for an international project and so I was quite excited for it.
Was it easy to get through auditions and land projects?
I am completely an outsider and though it sounds like a cliche, but it is true that for outsiders it is difficult to get that first break. And the only driving and guiding force was the Times Talent team. They were like a family back in Mumbai for me because for literally anything, they were just a call away. I think from day one, till today, they have always been there for me, and I’m quite thankful to them.
How did Rashmi Rocket happen? And what kind of training did you undergo before shooting?
Just like any other audition. Since it was the role of a national level athlete, I was quite excited. The training was quite taxing physically but overall it was a fun experience. We had a month of training with the professionals.
What’s in the pipeline next?
Apart from a lot of modeling assignments, I recently shot for an international music video with DJ KSHMR which was shot in the woods of Manali.
Shwetha is talented and a fun person and so we jumped to a fun section where she was supposed to choose between the given options or give a quick and rapid answer.
Fun section: Would you Rather…
Q: Would you rather cook or eat?
A: Definitely eat!
Q: Would you rather cook or order food?
A: I cook out of necessity but I enjoy ordering the most.
Q: And what do you order the most?
A: Falafel sandwich (laughs). I like ordering Mediterranean or Asian cuisine, so anything like noodles or Momos.
Q: Would you rather act or dance?
A: Acting because that comes more naturally to me.
Q: Would you rather win an award or a critic’s praise?
A: This is confusing! But I got to pick. I would love to have both, but I would like to earn praise from the critics.
Q: If you get a chance to play a lead in a biopic, who would you like to play?
A: I guess on Princess Diana. The international series that I auditioned for – the period drama I spoke about is actually on the same lines.
Shwetha Gadad is a Times Talent girl. Times Talent is one of India’s leading talent discovery and management firms, catering to films, Web series/TV shows, TV commercials, print shoots, appearances, events, celebrity-driven brand activations and more. Contact: www.instagram.com/timestalent
