Jyothsna Chakravarthy
// 22, the rockstar//
It’s not every day that a software engineer from Bangalore becomes one of the country’s hottest ramp models. Yet, Jyothsna Chakravarthy made the bold decision to ditch coding for posing and instantly caught the eye at the India Fashion Week 2009. And especially, she caught our eye.
So what’s with insisting that your agent listens in on this call... are you afraid of me or something?
(Laughs and her agent pipes in) It’s just that we didn’t really want to do any PR for Jyothsna right now because she’s got a lot of stuff coming up over the next few months and we don’t want anything to mar her reputation before she really hits the big time. We don’t want a Deepika (Padukone)-Upen (Patel) situation occurring. Errr... you can talk to Jyothsna now.
Thank you. So Jyothsna, what have you been reading lately?
I recently finished To Kill a Mocking Bird and The Kite Runner. The Kite Runner was quite touching.
A bit late in the day to be reading them old classics, isn’t it?
I was a bit of a geek in college. So I’m doing my best to catch up with pop culture now.
Are you a bit of a tomboy?
Not really. I did play basketball and volleyball in college but I was also pretty girly.
A telecom engineer, sportswoman, avid reader... a bit of an all-rounder, are we?
I’m really into music, too. And by that I don’t mean I’m one of those chicks who’s bopping to Akon and the likes at clubs. In fact, if I have to dance I’d probably sway to the tunes of the Gorillaz. I’m a fan of the real stuff — Perfect Circle, Velvet Revolver, Clapton, Zep and the likes. I used to sing in a band in college called Alexis. We did classic rock covers mostly, a lot of Tracy Chapman. I still kill it at karaoke bars once in a while.
Are you an entire marching band too?
No. But I’ve picked up a bit of guitar over the last three years. I rock an acoustic Signature Black. I can play some Jack Johnson and John Mayer numbers. And that’s no ’Bad Bad Leroy Brown’.
Is there anything you suck at?
Not really. Well, I’m not much of a cook. But that’s only because I’ve never really given it a fair shot. Geez... I’m not the most modest person in the world, am I?
No. But then you’re gorgeous, so we’ll take it. Speaking of which, I’m going to ask you that stupid question about why you decided to share your gorgeousness with the world?
Well, I studied telecom engineering but I didn’t want to entrench myself in Silicon Valley. Plus I just had this aversion to the whole 9 to 5 routine. I’m 22, I need some free time.
To party all night?
Nooo! I’m really not much of a party animal. My idea of a perfect evening is a cup of tea and a good book.
What? Were you brought up in a convent?
No, I just had a good wholesome childhood. I had no siblings and wasn’t close to any of my cousins. So I got a lot of attention at home. I was pretty popular in school too, what with all the extra-curricular activities I dived into. I was in Bangalore for the most part, but spent five years in Haryana as well.
Oh, that last fact alone must be scaring the pants off guys who want to hit on you.
I give a guy a fair chance. But, yeah, I’m not the most approachable person in the world. There’s just something about my demeanour that keeps the wolves at bay.
If someone did muster up the courage, what’d you go for?
I need to listen to the way he speaks. I pick up a vibe from that.
Vibe? You just go for guys with hot accents, don’t you?
(Laughs) No, I really do sense a vibe. But I wouldn’t say no to someone who rolled their ‘R’s in
a thick Spanish accent.
Been pulling in Barrrrcelona recently, then?
Not been to Spain. But I was in Milan recently. And I loved the West Indies. I went there when I was younger and travelled a bit through California, Chicago and Vegas.
Ah, Vegas! Give us the dirt.
I went there with my parents! So I didn’t do anything wild.
Oh come on, you’re not going to tell me you’re one of those goody two shoes who just stays home all the time.
I can party, man. I love going for concerts. I saw Knopfler and Joe Satriani here in Bangalore and you’ll find me at Sports Bar, Pecos or Modjo from time to time.
Err okay, is there anything else I can ask you?
I don’t know, this has been really easy. I was expecting questions about sex and partying and stuff. Thought you’d be fishing around for naughty details of my life.
I’m not done yet, you know.
Bring it on, let’s see what you’ve got.
I’ll let you go easy. Just give me one tip on picking up hot models like yourself.
Don’t try too hard.
