Having relationships is way off my mind, says Sobhita

Yet another small town girl makes it big and creates a splash. Sobhita Dhulipala, who was crowned Miss India Earth (2013), took up modeling and made her Bollywood debut with the recently released ‘Raman Raghav’.

• Turn on

A thinker and one who has good sense of humor

• Turn off

A narrow-minded guy who is not open to new experiences

• Interests

Love to backpack and explore places. I like adventurous sports

• Owe a lot to

Classical dance

• If not an actress…

I would have become an IAS officer

“I hail from Vizag and moved to Mumbai for higher studies. I was nerdy and socially awkward (smiles) I learnt kuchipudi and bharatanatyam. After college, I got a call to participate in Miss India contest but I have no idea about donning grease paint. I always believed in doing something if you are open to learning. I had to go through all the tough tasks and eventually win. It was 19 then,” Sobhita recalls about her happiest moment.

The actress states that she couldn’t find modeling exciting enough. “I was poised her for high honors after winning Miss India. I took up modeling, did photo shoots and was part of several commercials but it wasn’t exciting me. I want to be part of creative process. I always had an artistic inclination.

Fortunately, ‘Raman Raghav 2.0’, my debut film was just my first audition for a film. After I started acting, I realised that who I was before Miss India and who I am as an actor is pretty much in sync. Modeling was more like an experiment but I felt comfortable acting.”

She got heaps of praises for her portrayal of Smrutika in the psychological thriller. “Working with Anurag would be everyone’s dream and I’m fortunate to get such a huge opportunity in my debut project itself. The film had an ensemble cast and I had a lot to learn from them. The experience liberated me and empowered me as a person,” expresses the diva, who is currently being trained in mixed martial arts and boxing.

But away from work, how is Shobita? “I’m a little unpredictable. I love travelling and cooking. I enjoy my own space and not socialize. I love to read and write poetry. I’m an introvert. I’m ambitious but at the same time seriously guarded. I’m very emotional and vulnerable. I’m die-hard romantic,” she describes.

So what’s her take on today’s relationships? “Relationship is not about sacrifice. The couple would be happy if there’s an understanding and share mutual respect. Emotional satisfaction is what makes us feel happy at the end of the day. But I think I’m not matured enough for a relationship yet. Having relationships is way off my mind now. I have so many girl friends and may be because of that I did not find any need to search for a boyfriend,” she smiles impishly.

By Sashidhar Adivi