'I'm not a fan of Bollywood'

In Style

We are talking about Masaba Gupta, the daughter of renowned actress Neena Gupta and former West Indian cricketer Vivian Richards. The young girl, who is a full-fledged fashion designer, recently showcased her collection at the Lakme Fashion Week. “It was a very good show and I got the Most Promising Designer award,” says Masaba.

Entering the world of design was not always on Masaba’s mind. “Till my second year of college, I wanted to act. But it was only in my final year, when I went on to win many design awards, that I realised I should pursue fashion design.”

Hadn’t she said in earlier interview that she would love to act opposite Vivek Oberoi and Shah Rukh Khan? “I don’t remember when I said that. I guess I was really young, as those days I used to keep going to my mother’s sets,” she laughs.

However, Masaba doesn’t share the same sentiments any more. “I am not a fan of the way the Bollywood industry works. My mother has told me many things about the compromises on talent that one has to go through,” she says. “But I will never compromise or go out of my way for a role.”

How has mother Neena Gupta influenced her? “She has inspired me a lot in terms of fashion and design sensibility as I design my clothes keeping in mind what she wears.” Which of her mother’s roles are her favourites? “Definitely her roles in the serial Saans and the movie Mandi,” she answers.

Referring to her parents, she says, “Both are frivolous and have their own individuality that has transferred on to my personality.” Is she into sports like her dad? “At present, I am not playing any sport. I used to play tennis, football and handball in school,” she says. Masaba even represented India in Sweden for a handball tournament.  

Masaba now plans to get into styling for Bollywood, as well as supply her designs for more stores.  Though she has never come to Bangalore, Masaba admits that she gets most of her fabrics from the City. Her favourite designers are Anuj Sharma, Anamika Khanna, Wendell Rodricks and Sabyasatchi.

What’s her style statement? “I’ve suddenly become ethnic and chic,” she laughs. “But I am fussy about comfort,” she adds. And who would she love to design for? She is quick to answer, “Sonam Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut. They are the most stylish actresses in the industry.” And who, according to her, is the most stylish actor? “Prateik Babbar,” she replies after a brief pause.