SIMONE SEEKS FRESH PASTURES
Khalid M Ansari (HindustanTimes.com)

If a smile could launch a thousand ships, Simone "Heena" Singh would surely have ruled the oceans. Lakme played an important role in Simone's journey from the small screen to big stardom and with her return as one of the cosmetic major's 'eternal brilliance faces', the circle is now complete. HindustanTimes.com met-up with the model-turned-actress as she renewed her old ties with the fash frat at Lakme India Fashion Week in the capital:

Is it your fascination for fashion that got you to the LIFW or is it a break from your acting engagements?
No, it's not a break. There's no better place to catch up on latest fashion trends and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I love my body and always want to look my best. It doesn't matter how beautiful you are. Without the right clothes to add that essential zing to your personality, you may as well go unnoticed through life. And being exposed to couture from the brightest designers in the country certainly makes you want to look even better.

Do you think the Indian woman is getting bolder in terms of what she would like to wear?
The writing's surely on the wall. To be bold and sexy is to be with the times. In fact being bold certainly cannot be all that alien to a culture that gave Kamasutra to the world. The important thing is to keep your own dignity in mind and never cross the thin line that separates sensuality from vulgarity.

How far does an event like the LIFW go in making people more fashion-aware?
Such events in fact have a major role to play. India needs more such platforms where designers, trade buyers, the media and a fashion-conscious audience can come together to exchange ideas. I am happy to see all the excitement that the ongoing fashion week has generated. With its newfound status as a recognized industry, the fashion fraternity should be looking to hold more such shows in the coming future.

Apart from Heena what are the other major developments taking place in your acting career?
Heena helped me hone my acting skills no end. Today I find myself much more confident as an actress compared to when I first started out with Mahesh Bhatt's 'A Mouthful of Sky'. I am very excited about my performance in Lucky Ali's 'Sur' that is due to hit the theatres in September. I will also be playing the lead opposite Tarun Khanna in 'Kiyonki Hum Diwane Hain'. The film is slated for release sometime in December this year.