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The Malayali advantage

Two top models talk about the scene in Kerala

WALK THE TALK Joey Mathew and Shweta Nair

They were in Kerala as part of an `Ente Keralam' campaign organised as the countdown to the Miss Kerala contest to be held in Kochi. Both are successful Malayalis, proud of their roots, surviving cut-throat competition outside and standing tall literally. One is a supermodel and one is former Miss India Earth.

Joey Mathew and Shweta Nair are big names in Indian fashion scene. So how often does the Malayali factor come into their working lives. Shweta says that a good number of top models in Mumbai are Malayalis and hence they always do their chatting in the mother tongue, especially when they want to make a wisecrack at somebody. How often do they keep their tryst with their home state? "I've never come here for any professional work, no shoots, no campaign, nothing," says the 6 ft 2 Joey. She flies down to visit her parents at Kanjirapally. Shweta Nair makes it a point to pray at Guruvayur every time she's here.

Mumbai scene

So is the fashion and advertising scenario here ready for some big names? "What fashion. You either have Mumbai faces or foreign faces. And the rest of the work one sees in the hoardings are maybe college level, if not less, " says Joey. She gets celebrity status and huge appreciation for having made it to the top amidst cutthroat competition every time she comes home, but she finds that most people are looking for neighbourly approval when it comes to planning a career for their children.

Probably why there is not much of a fashion industry here. Asks Shweta, "Why use foreign models? Some of the top models in India are Malayalis. But they are nowhere in the scene here."

However, both models feel that more grooming and preparation were needed before they can look at an all-India level. When asked about their plans,, Shweta says she has a hectic year ahead with her Hollywood film `Good Sharma' starring Pankaj Kapoor, Bill Connolly and Joan Allen and the release of her own seven-track album. Joey on the other hand is going to take it easy. No acting for her. "I tried it out once with a film called `Alfie,' but I know it's not for me. On immediate itinerary is the London fashion week." Until their next visit to Kerala, it's back to the constant melee of Mumbai and Delhi.

SUDHA NAMBUDIRI

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