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 An
ace model and now a VJ with Channel [V], Sushama Reddy is a popular
face who has endorsed almost all the top line brands. "Veejaing
just happened. I guess you have to move on in life. I had earlier
worked as a production controller for Channel [V]. I share a good
rapport with the channel and its staff," says the long legged
beauty. It was when she was in London that she got to know about
being selected as a VJ.
Sushama Reddy
is the host of Late Night V, where she chats with various celebrities
about their lifestyle, passion, likes, dislikes etc. Sushama enjoys
prodding the guests and says, "Such shows surely bring out
the best in a guest. However, they are always on guard because the
audiences are not open minded. After all, you know that ours is
an image driven society. Indian audiences react because there’s
a sense of belonging." Among her guests, she has enjoyed talking
to Anna Singh ("she’s so boisterous"), Tarun Raghvan
("flirted all through the show"), Prahlad Kakkar ("a
very colourful man"), Kelly Dorji ("a man who taught me
so many things about Bhutan"), Shivamani ("enthralled
one and all with his talent") and Yana Gupta ("a really
outspoken girl and she even surprised me with her jhatka on the
show").
Late Night
V is gaining popularity. How does it feel to be on the tube? Sushama
says, "TV is a quick gratifying media. It’s getting better
and better and has a vast reach. I was really surprised this time
when I was travelling all over the country for V Pop, people recognised
me immediately and to be honest one feels good about it. I am really
enjoying." What about her latest contribution in selecting
the girl band? Exasperated, she confesses, "Oh my God! We (the
judges) had a tough time selecting them. For almost two and a half
months, we were travelling and listening to the girls singing. It
was really tough because we auditioned almost 4000 girls to finally
select five. But at the end of the day, we are all happy to select
the best. They are all good as a band."
When we talk
about her role in selecting the girl band, she enthuses, "It
was fun and we (Shobhaa De, Shuba Mudgal, Sandeep Chowta, Javed
Akhtar, Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy, Manish Malhotra and Shaimak Davar)
the judges had a field time selecting the girls. I must really appreciate
the channel for such a novel idea. The girls were groomed by Noyonika
Chatterjee, who’s their brand manager. These girls are really
lucky because every single thing is paid for, by the channel. On
top of everything, they have become famous overnight. I wish them
all the success."
Sushama today
has become more of a brand as she puts it, "My years at modelling
have made me a well-known name and now I make appearances at various
get togethers and happenings. Over the years, I have become an endorsement
vehicle for various products and clients. You can say I am a media
person because at times I am my clients’ spokesperson too."
She smiles and adds, "I am like a live ad." She has recently
done ads for Godrej, Four Square, Citi Bank, Melange and many more.
Sushama loves shooting for ads but has cut down her assignments
because "over exposure is bad for any model." She has
always modelled for the best brands and stood out with various campaigns.
She is now looking forward to featuring in some music videos. "I
do get offers for music videos, which I have really longed to do
but then I don’t get the right ones."
As a VJ, what
are the pre-requisites? Sushama has some tips for boys and girls
who wish to become VJs. She says, "Boys should be confident
and have individual style. Because copying will not lead them anywhere.
As far as girls go, they have to really work hard and groom themselves
well. It’s a must even though it’s difficult, the details
have to be groomed to a perfect T. They should be super confident
and professional to the core."
Sushama’s
hidden talent is writing and is likely to switch over to the big
screen as producer and director. As she puts it, "Filmmaking
is the ultimate satisfaction for any creative person involved in
the field of media and entertainment. I am super focussed to make
it to the big league." Sushama loves films made by Farhan Akhtar,
Ram Gopal Verma, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Madhur Bandarkar and the new
breed who are trying to break the mundane norms of traditional filmmaking.
Sushama’s
youngest sister Sameera Reddy is making her debut opposite Sohail
Khan in Maine Dil Tujhko Diya. So how does she feel about her sister?
"I am so happy for her. She’s a cross between Kajol and
Zeenat Aman. I am not saying this because she’s my sister but
as an actress she has got a great screen presence and when you will
see her you can see that the camera loves her Indian look. I do
get critical at times with her but she’s a promising star in
the making. There will be more of her in the coming years. I wish
her all the success."
What about
her future plans? Says the beautiful model turned VJ, "I will
feel fulfiled when I can create something on the 70 mm. I confess
that I cannot act or rather let’s put it this way, I cannot
compete with the best actress on the celluloid. And being a perfectionist,
I would like to be perfect in whatever I do. Direction will surely
see the best of me, I assure you that."
—Johnny
D
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