Keeping fit is an integral part of actress Swastika Dutta’s life. On her birthday, we thought of playing around with the theme of a gym, but with a fun twist. Stylist Neha Gandhi Binjrajka came up with a mixed bag of styles that she described as “princess-brat-goes-to-gym” looks that were a cool mix of high-street fashion, with elements of athleisure and oodles of glam. And, Swastika, who makes it a point to reply to all birthday messages, aced the moodboard. An album and a chat with the Alaap actress.
Hip and young, for this look, Neha had a “grunge princess going boxing” in mind. The knit top and mini skirt were made cooler with a stylish ponytail secured with the coolest hair ties (inset). Knit top and denim skirt: Zara; jewellery and hair ties: Zohra
Happy birthday to you! How old do you turn?
Heroines never reveal their age (laughs), but I have reached an age when parents ask their kids to settle down.
Do you want to now?
I want to, but three years down the line, not now. I want to have a family, get married and have babies. I believe there is an age for everything. I want to retire exactly at the age required and enjoy my life. I started working when I was 16-17 and have balanced my academics with my acting. So, I hope there will be a time when I can live for myself. Then again, I can’t live alone.
How do you usually celebrate your birthdays?
No one has ever thrown a party for me on my birthday and I don’t want anybody to do it either. I am not a party person at all. I like lunches and dinners and there are a few restaurants in Calcutta which I like frequenting. I like Floatel and the Hyatt Regency Kolkata buffet, which usually has different kinds of cheese. I love cheese. Tung Fong and Peter Hu? are also favourites and I like Peter Hu?’s peanut salad.
What’s on your b’day lunch menu this year?
Since it’s so hot, I have asked my mother to keep it light. And when you eat a lot, shedding that extra kilo in the gym is tiresome! I am more of a vegetarian and I want to turn one in a few years. But birthdays are as much about parents’ wishes as yours. So, it’s going to be mutton and rice.
How do you look back at the last five years of your life?
Don’t pour yourself too much. Take time and select projects accordingly. Don’t rush into things... that I realised very late, but yeh toh dil hai, maanta nahin (laughs).
Has social media been a game-changer in your career?
Yes, of course. Aami jotota mon diye script pori, tototai mone diye aami reel banai and do my photo shoots. It is important. But having said, it all boils down to your acting skills in the end. There is a difference between an influencer and an actor. You can’t be a full-time influencer and a part-time actor. Today people recognise me for my work on the big, small and OTT screens and not for what reel I posted.
You have also worked very hard on yourself...
Sporty and sexy was the style for this layered look. Neha teamed a cute white dress with a shirt and threw in a corset belt for an oomphy cinch. “I had the boxing belts in mind when I gave the corset,” said Neha. Dress: Zara; corset belt: Designs by NGB; jewellery: Nura by Tripti Singh
I had to cope with the times. I used to think I would wake up, go to work and come back home. That would be my life. Peer pressure and a certain inferiority complex which you don’t want to succumb to (can tend to creep in) when you are scrolling Instagram at night and seeing your peers posting fantastic photo shoots, but that should never happen. I know it is difficult and which is why you need to go on holidays, spend time with yourself and be fit and fabulous.
We shot in a gym today. When did you start working out regularly?
I have been gymming from 2014, but I am moody too. If I feel I have worked very hard, aami barite naak deke ghumobo (laughs). I was 63 in 2013, 56 in 2016 and now 48. I know I am underweight now, but I had to lose a bit for a film.
What did you enjoy the most about this shoot?
This was a different shoot from the ones we are used to seeing in Calcutta. Neha ma’am (Gandhi Binjrajka; stylist) is so talented. My favourite ones are the metallic dress and the denim look. t2 gave me the best birthday gift!
You have exciting projects lined up...
Alaap releases on April 26 and I am a little tense about it because my character is like that tadka. Swatilekha Sen is another character that will add to my career graph and something I have not attempted before. Swatilekha dekhchhe shob, bujhchhe shob, kintu digest korte parchhe na! I can’t reveal any more! (Laughs) Basanta Eshe Gyachhe will start streaming on Addatimes from May 17. When the script came to me, I messaged my therapist and said, 'I got the role I had been looking for'.
This look was all about a certain nonchalant elegance. The heels, the track pants, the striped top and the jacket were a mood with those slightly slouchy glasses and statement accessories. Neha had Posh Spice’s (Victoria Beckham) style in mind while curating this look. Top: H&M; earrings and bracelet: Zohra
It is about mental health and people ignore it. I go to a therapist and there is no harm in visiting one. I have been fighting it for the past four years and am very well now. It has helped me a lot. Music has helped me a lot and I have a tattoo which says ‘Breathe music’, because music helped me breathe.
So, Chandrima (her character in Basanta Eshe Gyachhe) is very special to me. I have worked very hard. Gobhir Joler Maach, part 2, is coming up and aamake aajkal dorshok ektu khuje pachhe na, aami ‘nikhoj’ hoye jachhi! (Laughs out loud)
Styling: Neha Gandhi Binjrajka Hair and make-up: Baban Islam
Location: The Camp Fitness Studio (9 Elgin Road, 2nd floor; opposite Marbella’s on Elgin Road)