Esha Gupta: I owe my Bollywood career to modelling

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Esha Gupta has credited her days in modelling for her stint as an actress in Bollywood.

The Humshakals actress, who started off her career in showbiz as a model, was the show-stopper for her designer friend Jyotsna Tiwari on the final day of India Bridal Fashion Week.

"I started my career as a model and if I am standing here as a show-stopper, it is all due to my modelling. It made me an actress and gave me my much-needed break. I still get nervous when I walk on the ramp and still seek for blessings before starting the catwalk. I owe a lot to it, " Esha told reporters after the show.

Esha turned a contemporary Christian bride on the ramp.

She completed the look of the bride in a flowy gown and a veil covering her head.

"I am happy to wear such a contemporary wedding gown, which does not make me look sexy. She gave me something which is young and contemporary," she added.

Asked if she would like to be dressed as a contemporary bride and do a Christian wedding, the 28-year-old actress said, "My mother would kill me if I don't do Indian traditional wedding and my father wants an Arya Samaj way of wedding. But I have no such plans for next 10 years."

Esha said she is yet to sign something substantial in Bollywood after Sajid Khan's Humshakals and is currently gearing up for her debut international project which she will start shooting in October.

Jyotsna's collection was titled Under the Stars, which ranged from pre-draped saris, evening gowns, crafted lehengas to voluminous anarkalis in pastel shades.

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Umrao Jaan director Muzaffar Ali is returning to cinema after a long gap with another period drama RAQS - The Dance Withiin, whose first look he unveiled at the India Bridal Fashion Week in Mumbai.

The filmmaker-fashion designer introduced his lead star Pernia Qureshi as the show-stopper of his collection at the show.

Ali said the dress that Pernia was wearing on the ramp is a part of her wardrobe in the period story.

"I have chosen her (Pernia) as my show-stopper because she is the lead actress of my next film. Through the show today, I made an official announcement of my film. It's a dance based film and Pernia is wearing one of her dresses from the film. The film will release early next year," Ali told said post the show.

Pernia, who is a well-known stylist and costume designer, had styled Sonam Kapoor in Aisha among others. She was happy to walk the ramp in a velvet ghagra for the ace designer.

"There's a consistency in their designs and what they have is exquisite. One thing that always stands out in their collection is that you'll always look 'appropriate' wearing their creations anywhere. They are unique and at the same time very traditional," Pernia said.

Ali and his designer wife Meera co-own the label Kotwara and their show last evening consisted the best of their brand over the last five years.

The line featured suits, saris, lehengas and anarkalis teamed up with farshi pajama in hues of white.

Aditi Rao Hydari says the disparity in remuneration of actors and actresses remains a reality in Hindi film industry despite the success of women-oriented films like Queen and Bobby Jasoos.

"I don't really understand why we are paid less than the male actors because we put equal efforts and recent past has shown that actresses can deliver a hit film. We deserve better pay, equal to what actors get," Aditi said in an interview.

Actresses like Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan and Katrina Kaif have been vocal about the issue.

"Hats off to these ladies for speaking about it because I think we need to address this. I remember in a film of mine, though both my co-star and I were newcomers, he got far better paid than me. I was shocked. I asked him what different are you doing that you are getting better paid!" the 28-year-old actress said.

Aditi, who has been appreciated for her performances in Delhi 6 and Rockstar, said it is a refreshing change that more women-oriented films are being made and accepted by the audience.

"Actresses are getting stronger roles but there is a long way to go before we can say things have improved substantially for female actors. The time is good for us in the industry because people are ready to experiment with subjects and write women-oriented scripts," Aditi said.