By Kavitha Mhatre

If there is anyone in the current crop of Bollywood actresses that you cannot take lightly, it is Swara Bhaskar. The acclaimed actress is known for her fearless personality, unconventional movie choices and a disarming, yet refreshing ability to voice her opinions. Her views are honest and unapologetic. But besides her fierce opinions and epic replies on trolls recently, it is her stunning style evolution that has had everyone sitting up and taking notice. Her style game has been bang on and she seems to have seamlessly metamorphosed into a fashion diva.

Of late, she has been elevating ‘quirky earthy and understated’ to a whole new level. And her recent movie, ‘Veer De Wedding’ is a fine testament to that. The firebrand actress has been showing fashion-hungry souls a thing or two about haute couture ­— be it her appearance in a Lavish Alice grey pantsuit, the stunning ivory wrap dress with intricate self-patterns by Pankaj and Nidhi, the blue Anarkali from Madsam Tinzin and the lovely little white summer dress, that we all cannot get enough of. 

The actress was in Mysuru on Saturday (Nov. 3) to grace the ramp as ‘Showstopper’ in the 5th Edition of Mysore Fashion Week that was held at The Windflower Resorts and Spa. She not only aced the ‘show-stopper’ title that evening but did it with utmost aplomb and an easy-going casualness, that we all love and admire her for. Star of Mysore caught up with the firebrand actress and her unabashedly honest opinions left us thirsting for more. Now read on…

Star of Mysore (SOM): Is this your first visit to Mysuru?

Swara: This is my first time in Mysuru, my father’s favourite city. I would love to go out and savour the great food and see the beautiful culture and heritage the city has. Unfortunately, I am pressed for time. I just got here and there is no time to go out and have fun. I intend to come back another time to Mysuru for a holiday. I don’t believe in combining work with pleasure.

SOM: We have seen a huge transformation from the Swara in ‘Raanjhanaa’ to the Swara in ‘Veer De Wedding.’ You have become a huge inspiration to fashion-hungry souls? Can you give a fashion tip?

Swara: The only fashion tip that I would want to give people, especially young women out there, is to understand that there is a difference between real-life and reel-life. The camera can be quite unforgiving even to the most perfect face. It brings out flaws and imagines slights where there are none. It is unrealistic to want to look like the Bollywood actresses you see on screen. Images are carefully reworked and rehashed to give actresses an almost-perfect look.

I wouldn’t advise women to desire that as it is not realistic or sustainable in the long run. If you are seeking to possess that perfect figure, that perfect face, I am sorry to say but you are setting yourself up for failure. I would say, ‘Believe in yourself, make your own rules, believe in what you want to and evolve your own unique style. Be you, the real you’ is what I am trying to get at.

SOM: You are wearing an Arpitha Randeep creation? What do you think?

Swara: It’s stunning. I have never seen a combination of a Kanjivaram saree teamed up with an exquisitely designed North Indian brocaded blouse.  This is my first ramp walk in a saree and I am excited.

SOM: What do you think about Mysore Fashion Week?

Swara: Honestly, I believe fashion is not only a property or privilege of big cosmopolitan cities and it should be given the space to thrive and breathe in small cities too. With events like this in smaller towns like Mysuru, high fashion stands a good chance of making serious headway. And which is how it should be. Fashion, for me is art. And it would be a crime to say, “Art can only thrive in big cosmopolitan cities.” Art shouldn’t be restricted to geographies.

SOM: What is your current fashion goal?

Swara:  I am playing the role of a cop in my next movie. So, obviously the role demands me to look fit. My focus is to look toned and build lean muscle mass for the character. As for style and fashion, I leave it to my designers. They know what’s best. I let the designers do their job and I do mine, which is focusing on good roles.

SOM: Do you have a message for Mysureans?

Swara: I just want to apologise to the lovely people of the city for not being able to explore more of their beautiful city. I intend to come here on a ‘leisure trip’ and not a ‘work-related trip’ to explore the city at leisure.