A model act
Noreen Aslam

BOMBAY—Bollywood actress Hrishita Bhatt, who is all set to conduct a modelling workshop in Dubai. She was the effervescent ‘Liril Girl’ whose bubbly antics catapulted her into fame years ago. Then music lovers got to see her in the foot-tapping number Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra by The Aryans. From then it was a giant leap to the big screen where she was paired with King Khan in the historical romance Asoka, followed by a lead opposite none other than the Junior Bachchan in Shararat.
We are talking of none other than the cute and bubbly Hrishita Bhatt, whose subsequent career choices, though did not exactly catapult her into the big league in Bollywood, nevertheless won her much critical acclaim.
And now youngsters in Dubai will get to hear from this versatile actress first-hand about her modelling days which proved to be a stepping stone to the big bling world of Bollywood.
Hrishita admits that she stepped into the modelling world quite by chance. “I was standing in the college canteen and this guy comes up and asks me to model, I immediately thought, ‘This guy is trying to hit on me’. But I went on to do the fashion show for my college and my principal convinced me to represent the college at a few ramp shows.”
From then it was a natural progression to doing a music video for the Aryans. “I was a trained Kathak dancer and took part in drama as well, so performing was a fun thing for me.”
So what advice does she have for aspiring models?
“When I started off in the modelling industry, I imbibed a lot from others. In the same way, I believe, the students at the workshop can learn a lot from my first-hand-experience.”
Hrishita who turned vegetarian around 9 years ago and works out regularly, is clear that to be in good shape, you don’t have to be skinny.
“The generation today is much smarter. I started out when I was 16-17, but nowadays girls are staring out as young as 13-14. They know exactly what they want at that age too!”
Hrishita is clear about one thing: ‘Don’t get into the modelling world for the glamour or the glitz alone. Do it because you like it and enjoy the work. Be your own person - don’t try to emulate someone else. Your enthusiasm will only attract positive energy in the long run.”
The actress who has been visiting Dubai frequently says though she is no shopaholic, whenever she comes to the city she ends up shopping like a maniac mainly because of the availability of different brands under one roof.
A workshop to hone your skills
The 10-day workshop will offer talented youngsters in Dubai a chance to enter the world of media and communications in India.
“There are so many people who have the talent but have no idea how to get into this field. Here in this workshop we not only train them but also assure them placements with film directors, producers and ad agencies,” says Bhairavi Natu, a stylist associated with the training workshop.
Bhairavi is the woman behind the styling of ‘Antakshari Middle East Pakistan Masti’. “I just finished styling for ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Middle East Pakistan Masti ‘ on Zee TV which is being aired now on Fridays.”
She has also done styling for Archana Puran Singh, Manoj Bapai, Irfan Khan and Ashutosh Rana.
Along with learning the nuances of Radio Jockeying, TV anchoring, News Reading and Modelling, Bhairavi points out that the workshop will help develop one’s self confidence and personality.
“Very often youngsters get attracted to the glamorous world not realising how much of hard work goes into it. With this workshop students now have the opportunity to get first hand information from those working in the field,” she explains.