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From the ramp to the silver screen

The winner of the Miss India title in 2003, Nikita Anand, who believes that the title is a stepping-stone to a movie career, asserts that it is not necessary to go to an acting school to enter Bollywood, says Madhur Tankha...

Having made a name for herself in the fashion world after winning the Miss India title in 2003, Nikita Anand is now all set make her debut in Hindi films. And unlike others, she does not fight shy of admitting that the Miss India title is a stepping-stone for a career in Bollywood.

Revealing that her upcoming film whose title is yet to be decided is from acclaimed filmmaker Prakash Jha's stables, Nikita says youngsters can easily relate to the film in which she plays a college girl. "The film has been shot in various parts of the Capital including the North Campus of Delhi University. I am portraying the character of an independent girl who is brought up in a family where she looks up to her father. Incidentally, television actor Vikram Kapadia is playing my dad."

Actor Shreyas Talpade -- who created waves with his performance in "Iqbal" -- and Naseeruddin Shah's son Immaauddin Shah are also in the film. The film has been directed by Manish Tiwari.

Since she did not know the two actors personally, Nikita joined the film's workshop before the shooting started. The workshop helped her to get familiar with the rest of the crew. "When you have to shoot for 30 days, it becomes difficult to enact scenes with complete strangers. At the workshop, I got a chance to interact with my co-stars," adds Nikita, who has done a course at Trinity School of Speech and Drama in London.

Nikita was offered films soon after winning the Miss India title. "After winning the title, I got some offers from Bollywood. But for things to materialise both parties need to agree to the project."

The young actress feels that it is not necessary to go to an acting school to enter Bollywood. She points out that even accomplished Hindi film actresses Kajol and Rani Mukherjee have not been to any acting institute. "Shah Rukh Khan never went to a film institute."

Nikita is also open to the idea of doing films down South as also Punjabi flicks. At the moment, talks are going on with some filmmakers down South, but I haven't signed so I cannot reveal anything right now."

Coming from an Army background, Nikita passed out from Mumbai's Cathedral and John Connon. She then joined the National Institute of Fashion Technology in the Capital. At NIFT, she also did modelling. Later, her friends and family members persuaded her to compete in the Miss India contest.

After winning the title, Nikita travelled across the country and also to Dubai. But when she went to Panama for the Miss Universe pageant, she was indisposed. "After reaching Panama, I felt sick. I was not accustomed to eating seafood that was available there. While returning after rehearsing some dance sequence, I fainted on the road. Winning and losing are part and parcel of life. At the end of the day, you have to give your best shot. Life offers you lots of opportunities."

These days, Nikita is busy hosting an American car-racing event on Zee Sports. "I will cover car racing events this entire year. It is an interesting programme with lead changes and crashes. We educate people about the race and also give an insight about the participating drivers."

At the last Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week extravaganza, Nikita also got another opportunity to sashay down the ramp. She has modelled for leading designers including Rohit Bal, Sabysachi Mukherjee and Ritu Kumar. "I feel modelling is both glamorous and creative, while acting is creative. But at places they overlap," adds Nikita.

Nikita also likes spending time at the gym. "I do both cardiovascular exercise and weight training. The gym culture is more popular in Mumbai than in Delhi. Besides gym, I also spend time reading books. Noted writer Khushwant Singh is one of my favourite authors," she reveals.

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