I will never judge a beauty pageant: Diana Penty
It took over three years for Diana Penty to choose her second film, Happy Bhag Jayegi (HBJ; 2016) after her much appreciated debut in Cocktail (2012). And while she does agree that it wasn’t ideal for a newcomer to be away for so long, she was also clear that she didn’t want to take up just any role that came her way. Talking about it, she says, “A lot of people thought it was a break, but I don’t think that was it. I am not from this industry, so when Cocktail happened out of the blue, I was technically not prepared to be an actor and do all that comes with it. Cocktail changed my entire life. I was getting accustomed to the change, and then I was travelling. I was also reading scripts, but nothing really struck a chord with me. So, I didn’t want to do something for the heck of it. It didn’t happen until HBJ was offered to me.” Diana is currently gearing up for her next film with Farhan Akhtar, Lucknow Central.
Although Diana was a successful model before she forayed into films, she is clear that she will never judge a beauty pageant. “Young girls who are influenced by our bodies need to know that this isn’t how we wake up. At home, we look normal and we are not dolled up all the time. We go through two hours of makeup and then you have perfect lights and ace photographers who know about their angles. And then, don’t forget Photoshop, where bodies are shrunk a little or given a little curve somewhere. So, what you are seeing is not the truth. It is just so important for girls to know that because this is what they think they need to look like in everyday life. Nobody can be so perfect. That’s one reason I never judge beauty pageants, because I don’t think it is right to pick one girl over the other on the basis of looks.”
Young girls who are influenced by our bodies, need to know that this isn’t how we wake up.
DIANA PENTY, ACTOR
Diana also thinks competition between actors is overrated, and says that though there are films that surprise you, she isn’t the jealous co-worker type. “Of course, there will be films that will always leave you surprised, and you might think, ‘Wow, what a fabulous film’, but that’s about it. I don’t wish I did that role. There is no jealousy. For me, competition is with myself and for myself. You are trying to improve yourself each time and better your own game. So, what is it got to do with anybody else’s career? At least, that’s the way I look at it. If I meet people at an event or an awards ceremony, and I really like their work, I am that kind of a person who will go out of my way to appreciate them. It’s a nice thing to do, right? How does undermining someone else’s talent benefit you? Other people doing well doesn’t take away from my work,” she says.
For me, competition is with myself and for myself. You are trying to improve yourself each time and better your own game.
DIANA PENTY, ACTOR