Anchal Kumar: Model Extraordinaire

On love, jealousy and fashion...

Eight years is a long time in any industry and in the Fashion industry it can add up to decades if you're one of India's top super-models. Anchal Kumar can boast of working with the elite in the Fashion industry and has completed countless television ads, and numerous runway shows. The youngest of four girls, Anchal grew up in a comfortable upper middle class life-style in upscale Mumbai.

Upon first meeting she re-defines one's epitome of beauty as she displays a keen intellectual acumen, a clean spirit and a humorous joie de vivre. Shaaditimes caught up with the model in between her hectic schedule following a whirlwind of Fashion shows at LFW in Mumbai last week, and a stint in Madhur Bandharkar's magnum opus ''Fashion''.

Anchal loves life, love, and the love of life.

On love...
''Basically it is a commitment of trust and unconditional respect towards the other. If one feels the same at home as you do when you're one with The One, then no individual or individuals can divide you and your love.''

On lust...
An actual physical attraction of bodies, souls and hearts. At first glance - a simple infatuation.

On envy...
Is different in each individual's vocabulary, and is subject to interpretation as each individual looks at both sides of envy. Envy can bring out the best in you and can also be one's greatest downfall as it can eat away at your emotions if you're always looking over the fence to see where the grass is greener.

On jealousy...
Yes, it does exist everywhere especially for people vying for attention. It can exist between friends, colleagues... it depends on you on how you decide to react or not to react to the situation. It's in every part of this world and something we all have to live with.

On 'Fashion' the movie. What's it like to step off the ramp onto the big screen?
"It was wonderful to work in such a brilliant movie as Fashion especially with Priyanka (Chopra). We were working together after many years as we both started our modelling careers around the same time," she remembers. And adds, "Priyanka was really sweet. She is still down to earth and hasn't changed in any way. She met me well."

On a model's view of a woman's beauty. Is it more than skin deep?
According to Anchal, "Beauty is as individual as the one that is trying to find, notice, accept, or appreciate another's beauty." She observes, "I think there is a stereo-type given to models which isn't accurate. Models are people and usually come from good backgrounds. I think because the career is short-lived, glamorous and lucrative, people forget that many models are educated and intelligent in their own way."

She continues, "Beauty can not be assessed according to just physical traits... like whether you have long hair, or are fair, or have a luscious body. All of these do add up to the oomph quotient but do not necessarily add up to that emotional quotient which is just as important in the formula for beauty," believes Anchal.

She concludes, "I think even the time you're born is important. I grew up in the world of computers and my outlook on life is totally different from my mother's who just had a typewriter. Things are perhaps easier for someone of my generation, but paradoxically there are different types of challenges. I think there is a different assessment of success today as opposed to previous generations. You can be an artist and be intelligent. You don't need to be a rocket scientist," she laughs. "Thus you can be tall, thin, beautiful, and intelligent. I believe a woman can represent all things."

On physical beauty. Anchal's idea of a perfect woman?
"Physically, I think body type really isn't that important. I do believe having a clear complexion is important. A woman that needs no make-up to me is appreciated. Also I believe a good personality in knowing how to carry yourself with confidence and poise is equally important in all areas of your life."

Fav. romantic movie...
Bollywood: Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander
Hollywood: P.S. I love you

Fav. vacation...
Mauritus

Fav. Pick up Line...
Can't think of one

Fav. Day...
Walking on the beach in Mauritius. Spending the day in my space enjoying drinks and getting a nice sun-tan.

Fav. Restaurant...
Wasabi, Taj, Mumbai and Kao in NY

Fav. Exercise...
Swimming. I love sports... but due to a hectic schedule only find time to swim. Also I love the sea. I also enjoy yoga and the overall sense of well-being that one hour gives me each day. Going to the Gym is claustrophobic. I enjoy the fresh air. I think there is nothing like ending your day with a brisk walk in the Park.

Fav. Romantic Book...
Gone with the Wind

Fav. Bollywood Hero...
Hrithik Roshan

Fav. Hollywood Hero...
Keanu Reeves

Fav. Bollywood Star...
Priyanka Chopra
 

Anchal also believes that in any career one has to have one's head firmly pressed on one's shoulders. "You see a lot of girls with attitude," she observes. "And there is a difference between confidence and arrogance. I think a woman has to speak well, but she should also not be over-confident. In modelling sometimes being shy or introverted can be confused for being snooty." She clarifies, "Arrogance is not reserved to just any one single industry."

What is most important...?
Being kind and caring

A model she admires...
Jesse Randhawa because she is kind and caring and has a wonderful confidence and poise. She is good looking, well-dressed and she gets along with all around her.

On emotion and modelling...
Well, a woman can have all the ingredients of success, but the true mettle of a woman is how she crumbles under pressure. This is something they don't teach you about. How to handle real life situations? You really don't know until you're living through the moment how difficult life can be and whether you succumb to outside influences or pull along. A woman of substance isn't someone who seems to be in the know; she is the one that gets along despite all the knowing.

On spontaneity...
To me spontaneity and spirituality go hand-in-hand. They aren't some thing to be displayed or paraded or showed off. People that are spiritual tend to be gentle and you can see it in their aura. They bring a peace of mind and tend to have others gravitate towards them.

Rohini Bhatia-Singh

Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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