'There is an obsession for fair skin'

Nayanika feels that fair skin is still a priority in showbiz.

Kolkata: She has been ruling the ramp for many years but despite her success as a supermodel Nayanika Chatterjee feels that fair skin is still a priority in showbiz.

The dusky, doe-eyed beauty has not been part of many TV commercials but Chatterjee says the scene is changing. "It has something to do with the fetish for fair skins. Look at the ads for fairness creams, featured earlier or now. There used to be a preference for fair complexioned models when I started," Chatterjee told reporters. "Though these days girls with unconventional looks can also be seen in commercials with the change in product and audience profile, still there is generally this obsession for fair girls," she said. Chatterjee, called the Naomi Campbell of Indian Modelling world because of her looks, now wants to attach herself to meaningful roles in Bollywood and Bengali cinema. "I feel I am not the type for conventional Hindi film roles. My looks, personality don`t gel with that. In fact I don`t fit into that kind of populist cinema," Chatterjee said. "It depends on the kind of roles offered and the kind of project it is. I did think of getting involved in some offbeat projects, but unfortunately none of them ever materialised because of finance in past. I would certainly like to act in a film once but only if the script and the character is to my liking," she said. Chatterjee, who has worked with top designers like Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani and Hemant Trivedi, feels that there is a positive change in people`s perception about the modeling world. "Now I can see how the girls from middle-class backgrounds are egged on by their families, a far cry from those days when such contests were looked down upon. These days so many girls and women approach me at events and say they want to do modelling," she said. The model has some advice for the young talents in the field. "To be an internationally known supermodel, you have to start early, be disciplined and pursue a strict regime. One has to come out of the cocoon and face the world outside," she said. PTI