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"The auto's so cheap. The starting fare here is Rs 18 and in Delhi it is Rs 25 but nobody ferries you for that. They will charge you Rs 10 extra and they will do their own natak (drama). Here, you just sit in the auto and the bhaiyya (brother) is ready to go."
"Only this morning I gave the auto driver Rs 20 and he gave me Rs 2 back. In Delhi, it is like, 'madam Rs 20 aur nikalo (give us Rs 20 more). This Bombay experience is new for me."
Sonali Barthwal, who debuted at Lakme Fashion Week is a Delhi girl, originally hailing for Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Bubbly and effervescent she's got a sense of humour too.
Sonali speaks with Rediff.com about how she became a model, her career, how she is handling herself in a new city like Mumbai, all with a generous helping of humour.
Why modelling?
Every girl wants to be like a princess and modelling is a life where you are treated like a princess. Everybody looks up to you and you just got to be perfect. It is a very fantasy-filled life.
There is lot of hard work involved behind the scenes. But you also have somebody doing your hair, make-up, clothing. And you get paid for all that!
How and when did you get a chance to become a princess?
I am princess everyday of my life for my family.
I started modelling in the third year of my college. I got a few pictures done and then people (fashion designers) picked me up. Now, I am associated with Purple Thoughts in India and they give me work.
This is my third fashion week.
I do lot of commercial campaign shoots. I have done Fab India, Cantabill and now I after doing couture bridal week in Delhi I landed up at LFW in Mumbai.
Three things that you love the most about India...
People are very warm hearted; India is a very cultured country; people in India are not arrogant and are ever ready to help you in your difficulties.
Is this your debut at Lakme Fashion? How did it happen?
I got through the LFW auditions in Delhi. I arrived in Mumbai only on August 23.
Are you enjoying your stay in Mumbai?
I am loving Bombay. This is the first time I have come here for work and I am having fun?!
Are you already planning to move out of Delhi?
Not anytime soon but yeah (there are plans...). There is competition here but people are very nice. In Delhi it is little, a 'little' unsafe.
Little? Is that an understatement?
No. I mean Delhi is safe but there are lots of issues too. But Mumbai is very safe. I was walking at 2 in the morning, wearing shorts in Lokhandwala market, and nobody gave damn.
Here people don't stare at you and don't make you feel awkward. You feel safe.
People don't 'stare' at you in Mumbai? You don't think there are lechers in Mumbai?
No. Not many. Obviously, there will be people who will stare at you but is better than Delhi.
How do you keep yourself safe in Delhi?
In Delhi, I drive my own car. I am not a clubbing person, so I am home by 8.30 pm. Even if I go out, I ask my father to pick me up. You can't travel alone at night in Delhi. It's not like Bombay. One thing I love the most about Bombay is you can travel at night. But there is so much competition, that it becomes tough. Everybody is here, because the city welcomes everybody. Anybody can afford eating a vada pav for Rs 10.
The auto's so cheap. The starting fare here is Rs 18 and in Delhi it is Rs 25 but nobody's ferries you for that. They will charge you Rs 10 extra and they will do their own natak (drama). Here, you just sit in the auto and the bhaiyya (brother) is ready to go.
Only this morning I gave the auto driver Rs 20 and he gave me Rs 2 back. In Delhi, it is like, 'madam Rs 20 aur nikalo (give us Rs 20 more). This Bombay experience is new for me.
Do you feel good when people give you 'good' stares?
Yeah... everybody likes good 'stares'. But it also depends on who is staring at you and where the stare is? If you look at me, smile, I will smile but if you are looking somewhere else I am going to punch you.
I am a Delhi girl so I know how to handle lechers.
Why did you choose to become a model?
Modelling is part-time. I work in Hyatt, Delhi, in sales and marketing. I have taken off to do the LFW.
How do you manage sales, marketing and modelling?
A Hyatt, my boss is really chilled out. She gives me the targets and I achieve them. It doesn't matter to her whether I am in office or work from home. But I have to finish my targets, make my presentations and get the work done.
How do you maintain your figure? Share your workout tips with us...
Gym...
Have lot of water; have warm water in the morning, have warm water in the evening; avoid eating food after 7 pm. I do a lot of running.
You have your dinner by 7?
I prefer not to eat anything after 7.
So, how do you manage when you are at fashion weeks?
I eat lot of fruits but I avoid eating food after 8 pm during assignments or fashion weeks.
Eat lots of fruits, salads and drink lot of water.
It takes care of your figure, tones your body nicely.
How do you take care of your skin?
Have lots of water.
Don't sleep with your make-up on ever, ever, ever!
Have a proper make-up remover for your eyes and lips. Do not just like hatao it ek dum se. Moisturise your skin and wash your face well.
Most interesting assignment yet...
Fab India campaign was one of the best. I did it with Ashish Chawla, one of the best photographers in India today. I got to travel across India because it was a pan-India shoot.
Then couture bridal week was an amazing experience too. Got to work with J J Valaya even though I am a new, fresh face. For me it was a completely new experience.
Best piece of career advice you ever got...
Be confident; believe in yourself; be original; believe in your own personality.
And who said these things to you?
I (laughs uncontrollably). I keep advising myself.
I am interviewing a sage....
Well, kind of... (laughs).
Advice for aspiring models...
What's the darker side of modelling? People think modelling is all about glamour and glitz...
One thing is you can't eat beyond 7 (laughs). You can, obviously, but when you have big campaigns or fashion shows you always get those guilt pangs if you do. Then you workout to get yourself into shape and you really have a strict schedule.
If rehearsals are scheduled for 1, whatever happens, you have to be there by 1.
But then every job/career has a darker side. It's not just that some people think modelling is not safe but then any job has those dangers.
It's not that it is only in modelling that people smoke, gande kapde pehen rahe hai...no...
And what do you mean by gande kapde?
People think what have these girls worn? Like short or revealing clothes. But then 'gandagi' is in the eyes of the lech.
Your weirdest modelling experience...
Oh, touch wood... Insha Allah not yet. If you are late or if you forget your choreography then you get yelled at. But that's fine. But then no clothes falling off... nothing dramatic... touch wood (laughs uncontrollably).
Photographs: Sonali Barthwal