Sara Senguptaa made up for all the lost sleep of the last two weeks on Thursday night. This after her ramp debut at the historic Dior Fall 2023 showcase at the Gateway of India, Mumbai, on March 30. All of 17, Sara walked assuredly, striking in a blue floral number, strings of pearls, vintage hair and bold eyes. A true ‘OMG’ moment for Sara, her family and Calcutta too. t2 caught up with the lovely elder daughter of Jisshu U Sengupta and Nilanjanaa Senguptaa who chatted with us over phone from Mumbai on Friday about her experience of a lifetime.
How did you land the show?
I got scouted through Feat.Artists, but I am not part of any agency as of yet. This must have been a couple of weeks ago. I had just written my exams and came out and that was the first email I saw. I screamed with joy because I couldn’t believe it. Then I called up ma and baba.
I asked baba if he could take some profile shots of me walking. We did it on the terrace of our home. Then I waited to hear from them. A second email came in after a few days asking me to come over to Mumbai for an in-person casting. This was a step closer and I was super excited. The casting happened at the Trident Hotel in Mumbai. I’ll be honest... I felt my walk wasn’t that good because I was very nervous. I went blank and just walked back and forth. Then again, there was a waiting period before I moved to the next round. I think there were about 50 girls who auditioned with me. The auditions happened in batches over a few days. I trained with Nayanika Chatterjee before my walk. Those two online meetings were really helpful. She told me about the walk, the turn and the confidence and she helped me a lot. She made me confident about my walk. She told me to take a deep breath and walk.
After my first walk, I did not hear from them for a whole day. I panicked and thought I hadn’t been shortlisted. The morning after I got a message that I had to walk in front of Maria (Grazia Chiuri, creative director, Women's Collection, Dior). She observed all our walks. The confirmation call came on March 29 afternoon.
Till I got the confirmation call, I couldn’t eat or sleep properly. They WhatsApp-ed saying the confirmation email has gone through, please check. I was in the car with my mom and sister and it was an OMG moment. I was too happy to react.
Tell us about the show day scenes...
The call time was at 10.45am. First, we had a run-through of where we were supposed to walk and turn. Then we went to Taj (Mahal Palace) for hair and make-up and were at the venue one-and-a-half hours before the show began. I was model no. 71.
What were those moments like right before you walked out?
I was excited! Of course, I was nervous, but I was very excited. I focused on the model in front of me and made sure I looked at the camera for a short while before I turned. I was thinking about my family but I reminded myself to focus. There were so many icons in the audience and as much as I wanted to see who was there, I just focused on my walk.
What happened after the show was done?
We all went backstage and shouted ‘woohoo!’ It was an emotional moment for me because it was my first show and everyone was so happy. They were hugging each other. All my school friends sent me screenshots and there was so much love and support. We met Maria and thanked her and hugged her. She was so sweet!
Did you make new friends? I made a couple of friends. While on my way out, I met Liza Koshy (American media personality and actress). Was there special advice from your little sister Zara? (Laughs) She asked me not to panic! ‘I know you’ve got it!’ she said. And while I practised, she was like: ‘Stand like this and put your hands here!’ How did you celebrate? I got back home and I hugged my mom and Zara. They had small gifts for me like big balloons and chocolate. Do you want to take up modelling professionally? I’ll have my studies to complete, but never say never! Do you have icons? The first urge I had to model was when my mom took out her old photos and then I heard stories about her modelling days, I was like ‘wow’. Then I started watching videos of Naomi Campbell and Sora Choi. Different brands have different walks. You have to be able to alter the way you walk and your expressions and attitude accordingly. That’s an art which I like. What was your biggest takeaway from this experience? This was a huge opportunity for me. When I got a confirmation for the show, I was determined to make the most of it. I saw how professional everybody was. They were all joking and laughing backstage, but as soon as they were on the ramp, it was all confidence. I would want to explore modelling further because it is something that does interest me. My parents are supportive of whatever I would like to pursue, but academics are an important part of my life.
Nilanjanaa with daughters Zara and Sara at a t2 special Mother’s Day shoot from a few year’s back
Did you make new friends?
I made a couple of friends. While on my way out, I met Liza Koshy (American media personality and actress).
Was there special advice from your little sister Zara?
(Laughs) She asked me not to panic! ‘I know you’ve got it!’ she said. And while I practised, she was like: ‘Stand like this and put your hands here!’
How did you celebrate?
I got back home and I hugged my mom and Zara. They had small gifts for me like big balloons and chocolate.
Do you want to take up modelling professionally?
I’ll have my studies to complete, but never say never!
Do you have icons?
The first urge I had to model was when my mom took out her old photos and then I heard stories about her modelling days, I was like ‘wow’. Then I started watching videos of Naomi Campbell and Sora Choi. Different brands have different walks. You have to be able to alter the way you walk and your expressions and attitude accordingly. That’s an art which I like.
What was your biggest takeaway from this experience?
This was a huge opportunity for me. When I got a confirmation for the show, I was determined to make the most of it. I saw how professional everybody was. They were all joking and laughing backstage, but as soon as they were on the ramp, it was all confidence. I would want to explore modelling further because it is something that does interest me. My parents are supportive of whatever I would like to pursue, but academics are an important part of my life.