Neha Dhupia recalls being told ‘models can’t be round’ during her early days

Neha Dhupia has had an illustrious career. From modelling to acting, and from hosting to being a judge, she has surely come a long way. When Neha got candid on mid-day’s The Bombay Film Story, the Miss India 2002, had a lot to share about how the fashion industry was back in the day, how it has evolved, and what needs to change.  

Neha Dhupia on the pageant culture losing prominence

She was asked about why beauty pageants are no longer as spoken about and as widely discussed back in the day. She has an interesting take on it. Neha shared, “There`s so much influx of so many other things. Like, for instance, there`s social media. Now you know the influencers, the ones who`ve got a great following. I feel like there`s so much. The world has changed.”

“Like Ayushmann, he was from Roadies. But not everyone comes out of every system. Everything is not like an agency that actually takes you forward to the next best thing. Look at Shehnaaz Gill, who`s come from Bigg Boss. But not that every season you get someone like that. Or like, you know, influencers. I`ve just done a show called Single Papa, and there’s Prajakta (Koli). She`s doing so well.”

Reflecting on how times were different back then, Neha shares, “If I were to go back to 2002, and to think I`m going to go on a reality show, or I`m going to be on YouTube, and then get into the movies. That time it was unheard of.” Asked if it was easier back in the day, she replies, “Not at all.”

Neha Dhupia says Indian fashion industry works in isolation

Asked about how the fashion industry works, she says, “It used to be very interesting. At least when I was there. Now, some of my friends have sold a 51 per cent stake to the business houses. And I love the drive that they have.”

She adds, “I somehow feel that the kind of talent we have in our country is amazing.” “At the same time, it kind of opens up a little more. Instead of each one fending for themselves. If it all comes together to fund more and more newcomers, it could be more interesting.”

“There are a lot of them chasing in isolation. But I feel like all these creative minds come together. It’ll be incredible to see what India has to offer when it comes to clothes, culture, and fashion.”  

On the other hand, she says, “It`s become more inclusive. When I started off, it was completely different. I was in fashion week, and a lot of people had opinions and judgments. If you`re a model, you shouldn`t look like this.”

“A lot of people even told me, ‘You don`t look like a model. You should be going to Bombay, and you join movies.’ Or, ‘Models don`t look like this, they can`t be so round. There`s a lot of that that happened back then,” she recalls. However, now she says there is a lot more inclusivity, “Which is great,” she exclaims.

She concludes, “It`s a lot more structured now than it was. But I just feel like, there can be so much more.