Ever since we’ve known Arpita Sinha, she’s been more demure than bold. The Telegraph collaborated with the pretty model who is pursuing a PhD programme in a university in the US, and her mentor for years, hair and make-up pro Aniruddha Chakladar to design looks that are not usually associated with Arpita. We had a blast shooting at the lovely Warehouse Cafe in South City Mall and post-shoot, Arpita told us about how she developed this tag and why she loves being #modelplusscholar.

Is this the first time you have attempted a shoot like this?

Well, there have been elements on and off, but the way the whole glam packaging has been done, is probably a first for me. Usually I do have inhibitions, but when I was told about the set of people I’d be working with, I was super chill. This was like working with my homies.

How did you develop this demure tag?

I don’t know! I do remember this one anecdote from the (Sananda) Tilottama (12 years back) days. I used to swim since I was young, but I was never into modelling as such; I was a bit apprehensive about wearing a two-piece swimsuit. I said I was into sporty swimsuits... my swimsuit was pink and all the girls around me started pulling my leg that I was the only one who could end up looking like a bubblegum even in a swimsuit! (Laughs)

So, no one has tapped into the hot diva hiding in you?

We’ll see what the feedback is after this shoot, (laughs) but I don’t think there was much effort in pulling that out specifically!

Which look was your favourite?

I honestly liked all the looks. The first look had a red-carpet feel. The second one was a bodysuit and a hot pants kind of a look, which I can think of wearing to at a lot of places. The third look was daring and oomphy, but you can play around with how much you want to reveal. I can totally end up wearing that. It goes well with me, with the jacket which has an element of strength. It had a shirt feel, which I haven’t worn before. I have a lot of control over the whole thing. I don’t have to think extra hard. The leather dress was super classy. I wear a lot of leather jackets. Usually, I go between a black and a tan, but the tan is more me.

Today, we tried some looks on you which people don’t associate with you usually. You are also pursuing academics in the US. People also don’t associate a model with academics, even though many of them are well qualified...

We do not associate but there are so many models who have an academic background. I recently met someone who used to work in an audit firm. For the longest time, the myth was models are dumb. You cannot put people in boxes. You need smartness to manage your career well. I am glad a lot of women, like myself, are setting the narrative straight with our actions. And huge shout-out to all the women who are doing exactly that. There is no agenda. It can’t change in a few days.

I was always inclined towards academics. Modelling gave me the platform to express myself better. I learnt so much. Modelling teaches you to adapt to different sets of people and when I went abroad, this experience really helped because it was a major transition for me.

So, the hashtag, #modelplusscholar?

(Laughs) Absolutely! I am not going to shy away from it. It’s my own. I love modelling and have a huge respect for this. I have met great people. I won’t give up one for the other, as long as I can do it honestly and that’s the whole purpose. When I come back to Kolkata, I make sure I do the best because I am here for a short span and when people show that faith, it feels fantastic. I don’t leave it behind completely even when I am back in the US. I don’t become a different person. Of course there are no call times, but there is a part of it in me.

And, you look fabulous!

I try to eat healthy so that I have more tenacity to work. I do yoga on and off. I try to be disciplined but I try not to be harsh on myself. I prefer going for a swim than going to the gym. I love walks and hikes. They cleanse your mind. If you try to control your anxiety, it will hit you harder. You do the best you can. I won’t say I miss the walks and hikes when I am here because being with family adds so much value to my life, but yes, summers are beautiful there.

Pictures: Pabitra Das

Costumes and styling: Kushal Chatterjee

Arpita, being a Gemini, has a dual personality. The exterior follows certain parameters, rules and decorum. There is a certain image. The inner self can be anything! What you saw is not something that is not her. The exterior is as honest as the inner self. I discovered this about her five-six years back. The demure-girl factor is also not a pretension. Both coexist in her. She has an element of mystery. When I was told about the concept I was thrilled — Aniruddha Chakladar, look designer and our hair and make-up pro for the day