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From the catwalk to the kitchen

CUTTING-EDGE FASHION is putting it mildly. When Bollywood designer Vikram Phadnis turned his haute couture collection into a self-induced advertisement for razor blades, people took notice.

Flowing gowns and headdresses were refitted with dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of sharpened blades last Thursday night to celebrate the world’s second largest razor company, Super-Max’s entry into the local market. It was an odd fit, mixing modern fashion with a timeless hair-removing apparatus, but it worked, and Indian model-turned-actress Malaika Arora was there to vouch for it.

Arora, who first made waves on Indian television hosting a series of popular programmes on MTV India, was no doubt excited to take part in the show that was filled with elaborate dance numbers and Whitney Houston wannabes. City Times snuck backstage for a quick chat with the sexy and seductive personality as she explained her biggest aspiration yet: food.

Your career continues to evolve in different directions. Where do you see it growing?

So far my career has been fantastic, no complaints at all, but eventually I would like to open up my own restaurant. When I’m done with the dancing and acting, I would like my focus to be on that.

What has been the most exciting part of your journey in the entertainment business?

Everything has been exciting; from the time I started on MTV to doing songs on the big screen. Now my husband and I are producing a film of our own.

What inspires your own personal fashion sense?

I have lots of stylists but at the end of the day I just put stuff together by whatever I think looks good.

How do you define sexy and stylish?

It could be anything from the way you walk or sit or hold a cigarette. It doesn’t necessarily mean the way you dress or the clothes you wear or the bag you carry. It’s only part of the package, but not the defining part.

What would your dream job be?

My dream job would have to be that of a chef. I’m not a really good cook but I always aspire to be one and I could always see myself in a chef’s hat and apron cooking up a storm.

Interest in Indian culture around the world continues to grow. How does that make you feel?

I think it’s wonderful. We’ve come a long way since being known as the land of cows and snakes to now be known on the world map for fashion and movies. India has all the potential to be a major fashion capital; it just has to channel its energy in the right direction.

What can we expect from you this year?

We are in the process of producing our film, Dabanng, and that’s like our baby right now. Dancing has been an integral part of my life, but that’s just one aspect of me. I don’t like to define myself by one thing because that would be so boring.

kadry@khaleejtimes.com