Embrace the change
The year 2000 was special for India, as we won triple crowns in beauty pageants — Lara Dutta won Miss Universe, Priyanka Chopra Miss World, and Dia Mirza Miss Asia Pacific titles. A feat that probably cannot be repeated for now tittles, criteria and managements have changed. With genders evolving from mere man and woman and inclusivity being the buzzword right now, beauty pageants too are transforming big time. “The old order has to change to accommodate the new. Something bigger and better has to be on way,” shared Lara.
She has also teamed up with her Ishq-e-Nadaan director Avishek Ghosh for a revenge thriller titled Suryast, which also stars Patralekhaa. A couple of other films on the anvil, Lara shared that a sequel to one of her most successful films is on the cards too.
With films like Andaaz, No Entry, Partner, Housefull and Don 2 to her credit, it’s Chalo Dilli that fetched her much love. “In 2011 when we did Chalo Dilli, there weren’t many actresses as producers. As a woman producer, I realised that people were open to discussing the creative process but not business. It feels great that I created and opened space for women who came after me. Today’s actresses, be it Anushka (Sharma) or Alia (Bhatt), are producing content.”
Breaking fresh ground keeps Lara fuelled, and every decade she has strived to take on what’s not done. She credited the opportunities that came her way to her Miss Universe crown, “I call it the biggest gift that universe has bestowed upon me. An incredible opportunity, not once in a lifetime but that of many lifetimes.”
But it’s her entrepreneurial journey that brought Lara to the city. “Arias is Saira (her daughter) spelled backwards. It was my way of having her with me everywhere. Naming my brand associated with my daughter’s name is a commitment for me to have something outstanding, which adds value to someone’s life,” she shared.
Not seeing a home-grown product that really addressed Indian skincare needs led her to skincare brand, which was followed by Arise Fragrances. “From a beauty queen to an actress to a mother to a homemaker… I think it is important to embrace that change and to take it along with you. That is why it was a natural transition to do Arias Home, which has grown into Kidswear, an eco-conscious fashion brand for kids.” Invested truly in her business, Lara has an aim to penetrate each home in India with her quality and affordable products.
Her Sunday visit was hectic and amongst all the other things, aloo parantha weighed the heaviest on her mind! “Wherever you go, you cannot take the Punjaban out of me,” she laughed. An Air Force kid and having grown up across the country, she has a special connect with Punjab. “My father is from Jalandhar and coming here feels like coming home, maybe because of my grandparents. Chandigarh is a city that, unfortunately, most of the time I am making quick stops at, but it is always a great city to be back in,” she signed off.
