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Crowning glory

Sanvidha Shetty, whose long tresses have won her the Gladrags title, is a fine blend of charm and caution

SAFE SPACE Sanvidha Shetty: `A married woman gets a lot of respect. You don't mess that much with a married woman!' PHOTO: SAMPATH KUMAR G.P.

She's 25, fair, tall and has luxuriant hair cascading down her back, in a blend of black and brown. But she's also sweet, mature, confident, and yes, pretty cautious. That is probably why Sanvidha Shetty could make it to the top 10 of the Gladrags Mrs India 2006 and came away with the Gladrags Mrs India Beautiful Hair title.

Biggest event

The only South Indian to make it to the finals this time, Sanvidha is happy she's won her "biggest" national title for married women. Sanvidha took a chance when invites came up for the contest in October 2005. "Maureen Wadia also conducted a one-on-one interview with me on my personality, life and work."

Gladrags told her she would be informed by post if she were selected for the finals in Mumbai. "I was shocked when the letter actually came. It was a pleasant surprise. It is the biggest event for me. I hadn't done any major modelling before except that I was Siyaram's Ms. Mysore after my 12th Standard."

Sanvidha was among 60 contestants for the finals in Mumbai, got selected to the top 20, and then the top 10. "The top five were selected and then three of them. I wasn't part of the three, but I was happy that I was part of the top 10. That is big in my life. It's as good as being a winner."

Sanvidha says the preparation for a contest of even this kind (which is as hyped as the Miss India title) is not all that easy. "It means hours of workout, grooming, make-up sessions, haircare and health regimen. You have to work at odd hours. It all looks good, but it's not an easy walk. It's not just the ramp. It takes a physical toll."

But she sure likes her long hair, doesn't she? She laughs a tingling laugh: "I do!"

Clearly, that's where her pride is. But a doctor by profession, Sanvidha is in no mood to give up her profession for anything. "These are simply two different things. Both require hard work. But medicine is going to be my priority even if I do get modelling offers. I will be doing my post-graduation soon because I would like to pursue my career in that field."

Does she consider herself beautiful? She laughs another charming laugh: "But it's also about confidence you know. Not only physical looks."

But it's always good-looking people who say looks don't matter, right? She doesn't actually admit it, but there is an acknowledgement in her smile.

She adds: "But it's about confidence. If you are confident, it will show on your face. I think if people who matter to you tell you that you are beautiful, I guess you are beautiful. Beauty is really a relative concept."

Sanvidha is all praises for her parents and her husband. She gushes: "My husband is an amazing person. Just great to be with. And yes, he's very smart too!"

Marriage, Sanvidha says, isn't holding her back in modelling. "Marriage is not at all a constraint. It makes you more responsible and mature. You stay focused. You know your priorities. A married woman gets a lot of respect. You don't mess that much with a married woman!"

PRASHANTH G.N.

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