My friends convinced me to participate. I remember being really nervous till the final day of the competition – but the minute I stepped on to the ramp, I felt a transformation taking place. Fortunately, I won that contest and then went on to win a state-level contest in 2007. That’s how my entry into this field started – I did a few ramp shows in delhi and the south and then I started looking at modelling seriously.

What did your family say when you put aside studying medicine to become a model?
For 3 years, I’ve been balancing my studies and my modeling and I would love to continue doing both things together.

My parents were initially against my shift, but now that they see I am working hard they are happy for me. I want to prove to myself, before anyone else, that I am capable of managing both sides of my life and I’m happy I’ve been successful at it till now.

What is your career plan? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I want to be known as a combination of beauty with brains – a successful model who is also a doctor. I plan to practice for those who cannot afford expensive medical care. I want to change the mentality people have about pretty girls being stupid or unintelligent. And I’m looking at Bollywood as the next step.